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Backyard cattle farming. Another investment option in the Philippines.

Last updated on April 12, 2019 | by Billy

Backyard cattle farming is another option if you’re looking for investment in the Philippines. This may sound “old school” but when properly managed, it can give a sustainable income that can top-up your investment portfolio. Let me share you how we invest in simple backyard cattle farming.

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I live and grew up in the province of Laguna where the general source of income are agricultural products. These are mixed of common agri-products like vegetables, rice, fisheries, poultry, livestock products and much more. If you came from the province, you know what I mean.

My father started backyard cattle farming back when I was a child even if we don’t own them. What I mean is he served as the caretaker for those cattle from other people and earn a commission upon selling. He took care 2 – 3 heads depending on the availability. It’s called “paalaga” or “paiwi” in our province. When it’s time to sell, the owner will deduct all the expenses and the profit will be divided into two. The owner and the caretaker will share the net profit.

On that process, he used to earn a decent amount although it only happens when selling the cattle. My father never minds how much the profit was. It’s his hobby and leisure anyways. For an investment of around P18,000, the cattle can be sold at around P25,000 to P30,000 after a year if properly taken care of. That means for a P12,000 profit, he can get P6,000 per head as the caretaker(the other P6,000 for the owner). In 3 heads, he can get P18,000 as profit.

That’s a good return on investment compared to savings account and time deposits right? And remember, my father only used his time taking care of those cattle. He just simply let the cattle eat grass on our backyard and other vacant land/farm near our house. Not bad right?

After several years, we bought our own the cattle and started our own backyard cattle farming. Since then my father took the whole profit and gain more. For me, that’s a simple but rewarding type of investment.

Backyard Cattle Farming Investment copy

Right now, we have 9 heads and my father is taking care of them. Me and my lovely wife, my brother and my sister owned those. After a year and a couple of months, we’re seeing a good ROI if we’re about to sell these cattle this year(based on the estimate how the cattle have grown now). I’ll update this once we decided to sell them. See the picture above? That’s my father taking care of his friends. 🙂

This our simple backyard cattle farming investment story. I hope you get some inspiration. 🙂

From our story, here are some points that can help you if you’re interested in backyard cattle farming.

Update: We sold one of our beloved cattle and got more than 66% ROI. Read the article here.

Advantages of backyard cattle farming

  • Small capital (You can start with 15,000)
  • Low Risks
  • Easy to Manage
  • Good ROI
  • Can be a hobby and leisure while earning money

Some disadvantages of backyard cattle farming

  • ROI may come a little bit longer (depends on how the cattle grow or when you sell them)
  • Your money will be parked for a year or two (Not advisable if you’re going think you’ll need the money soon)
  • Cattle may get sick/accident and other uncontrollable events could happen (I think the same goes with other livestock investment)

Note: This is the basic backyard cattle farming. There are others who do this as a business and owned hundreds of heads of cattle. That’s a different story. What I shared is a “hobby-investment” type of backyard cattle farming. I hope you get my point. DTI also share information on how to invest in Dairy Cattle Farming here.

If you run “backyard cattle investment” too, kindly share your insights and story below. I hope this article has been informative, thank you for your time. Cheers!



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Comments

  1. Julie sibug says

    October 26, 2016 at 3:24 PM

    Good day billy! Planning on buying cows po! Nasa how much na po these days kapag bumili ka ng live na baka? Kanino nyo po Ito usually binebenta? Thank you po

    Reply
    • Billy says

      October 31, 2016 at 6:29 AM

      Hi Julie, it depends on the size and age. On our experience, it cost us 15-20k per head on the initial investment. After a year or two, we can sell them at 25-30k per year/per head. Most of the buyers are vendors or small to medium company selling beef products in the market. Hope it helps. THanks!

      Reply
      • Oliver says

        May 3, 2021 at 11:36 PM

        Hi Billy,

        Can foreigners invest in this?

        Reply
  2. Kenneth Clayton says

    January 16, 2018 at 1:38 PM

    Hi Billy,

    I read your information and found it very helpful.I’m a US Citizens, looking to invest upon retirement here in the Philippines.I’m in San Pablo Lugano currently. Hope you have more posts I could find and read. Thank you so much for sharing knowledge and wonderful history. Salamat Po.

    Reply
    • Billy says

      January 26, 2018 at 10:23 PM

      Welcome Kenneth. Feel free to browse other investing articles on this blog. Cheers!

      Reply
  3. ROSEMARIE YAMAGUCHI says

    March 5, 2018 at 9:26 AM

    HELLO BILLY,
    IM INTERESTED IN INVESTING AND MAYBE BUYING TOO IN THE FUTURE?
    SO FAR ITS ONLY 30% GOAL OF MINE. BY IT’S IN MY PLAN LIST.

    WHAT TO DO TO INVEST?

    Reply
    • clyde says

      October 25, 2020 at 9:43 PM

      is there someone can mentor me

      Reply
  4. Anna says

    March 29, 2018 at 12:49 PM

    Hi Billy! Great article. I would like to ask, should I need to own big land property to start this kind of business?

    Reply
    • Billy says

      March 31, 2018 at 10:53 AM

      Nope Anna. It’s a backyard style meaning it can be done in your backyard or in any “free area” in your neighborhood. Please take note this is in the province and only a couple of cattle.

      If you want to have a scale version, you may need to have your own lot or property. Thanks!

      Reply
      • ALOOSH says

        July 10, 2018 at 6:26 PM

        WHAT IF ANTHER NATIONALTY ? IT WILL BE DEFRINTE?

        Reply
        • ALOOSH says

          July 10, 2018 at 6:27 PM

          PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME FOR THAT

          Reply
  5. corina says

    April 17, 2018 at 11:07 AM

    hi billy, love your article po
    so inspiring po. I also plan to invest, are they really need an injection/Vaccine?

    Reply
  6. Ferlix says

    June 20, 2018 at 5:42 PM

    Hi! very interesting article!
    Do you have any idea where to invest in this kind?

    Reply
  7. jb carandang says

    August 2, 2018 at 6:14 PM

    hello Billy, great article,
    based on your experience is 27k for 1 cattle worth the price?

    Reply
  8. edgardo arellano says

    October 14, 2018 at 4:14 PM

    HI, Billy I am on OFW and preparing for retirement. Do you have any idea where I can buy a good breed dairy cow? At least 10 milking cow.

    Reply
  9. GEORGE S. SULLIVAN says

    October 21, 2018 at 9:44 PM

    Hello, Nice story and I have a friend that I have known about 18 years now and we have this year gotten serious as a couple. I have not been there to visit yet, but plan to do so in her hometown of Ormoc City area. I know you have cows, but she says pork farm is good. She also wants us to do chickens and many others if possible to get our start. What would you know of these in this area of her home being stable investments? I dream the world, but live in reality. Thank you very much for your time and your work. Sincerely

    Reply
  10. Meow says

    January 3, 2019 at 10:50 AM

    Hi billy!

    Ano po yung magandang ipainom sa inahing baka para magkaroon ng maraming gatas?

    Reply
  11. Noira says

    March 11, 2019 at 7:47 PM

    Hi.Billy ! I have a cow that I asked a neighbor to care for. The first calf born was went to me , the 2nd went to my caretaker. Now, the first born cow just gave birth and they say this should go to my caretaker and the next first borns of whatever cow I will have from this partnership. Are there Philippine laws regarding the sharing of cows between the owner and caretaker of cows?

    Reply
    • Billy says

      April 5, 2019 at 12:19 AM

      Hello Noira, there’s no specific law about this. It always depends on the agreement of the owner and the caretaker. You can settle it with them. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Daphne Gilpin says

    May 1, 2019 at 3:25 AM

    It’s interesting that your father was able to make quite a bit of money by deducting expenses and then splitting the profits with the caretaker. My husband and I will be retiring soon and really like the idea of buying and farming cattle together. I’m glad I read your article because it was fun to learn about the experiences and successes of other cattle farmers!

    Reply
  13. Gina Macahilos says

    June 30, 2019 at 12:30 AM

    I already bought one April last year for 15k.
    The sister-in-law of my brother is the one taking care of the cow now. The past few days, I had this idea of buying another one but I was hesitant. But because of your story, Sir, I am going to buy another one next week. 🙂

    Thank you for your story, Sir.

    Reply
  14. Charmie says

    September 22, 2019 at 11:17 PM

    Our neighbor selling their mother cow and the baby cow for 45k pesos.. is it worth the price?

    Reply
    • DJ says

      September 26, 2019 at 5:26 PM

      Hello! What’s your location? We are interested

      Reply
  15. Edison Apura says

    October 23, 2019 at 1:10 AM

    We buy and sell cattles. but, I am from Pangasinan. How can we do business if I like to buy some of your cattles? a minimum of 10+ cattles.

    Reply
  16. Micky says

    June 29, 2020 at 12:16 AM

    Hi, Im selling my cows but all are based in Negros. Would you know of any platform that I could sell them? Thanks

    Reply
  17. Raul says

    March 12, 2021 at 4:13 PM

    Hi Billy!

    I’m a veterinarian and a lawyer and diplomat and I own huge lands in north Luzon

    I don’t have experience so thanks for your article it’s great

    How much water will a cow consume a day ?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  18. fernando banaga says

    June 17, 2021 at 4:30 PM

    i lake more learn to how buy and sell a com.

    Reply
  19. owen j. lebaquin says

    September 18, 2021 at 2:31 AM

    where can i buy Brazilian Cows- bull specifically in the Philippines?

    Reply

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