Animal Feed Business Plan 162

Toggle navigation Menu A Sample Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan Template

Are you about starting a livestock feed mill? If YES, here is a complete sample livestock feed mill business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a livestock feed mill business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample livestock feed mill business marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for livestock feed mills. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Table of Content [hide]

1 Why Start a Livestock Feed Mill? 2 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Executive Summary 3 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – SWOT Analysis 4 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – MARKET ANALYSIS 5 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY 6 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Publicity and Advertising Strategy 7 Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Sustainability and Expansion Strategy Why Start a Livestock Feed Mill? Starting a livestock feed mill business can be regarded as a big and lucrative business especially if you are grounded in managing a business and are able to use the dynamics to run your business successfully. For your business to be however successful, you might need to locate your livestock feed business in an area where there is an abundance of livestock as well as agricultural inclined customers.

Depending on the kind of customers you are likely to have, you might need to custom mix the feed from your feed mill so that you can deliver the feed products to your customers. While the livestock feed business might be one where you would need to supplement your income with other revenue generating sources, it is still a good business to start up.

Before starting this kind of business however, you would need to consult a business consultant who would be in the best position to let you know how successful your business is likely to be. Another aspect that is very important when starting any business is having a business plan.

Writing a business plan might look intimidating especially regarding the aspect that deals with finances. There are however options available if you want a comprehensive business plan for your business. The options are seeking the services of a business plan writer to write out a good business plan for you or going online to seek for free business plan templates to act as a guide to writing your own business plan. It is for this reason that a sample livestock feed mill business plan template has been prepared below;

A Sample Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan Template Business Overview The economic value of animal agriculture in the United States of America is very huge as it has provided more than 2.3 million jobs for the economy. The monetary value amounts to $440.7 billion, with $21 billion from household incomes.

There are nearly 6,000 feed mills in the United States of America and out of this number nearly 950 produce feeds that are medicated in nature, while nearly 545 produce pet foods. The raw materials used in producing feeds are corn, barley, wheat, oats, sorghum, soybean meal, corn silage production, hay, and alfalfa.

The livestock feed industry is valued at $32 billion annually. However, this industry has experienced a slow decline between the periods of 2011 and 2015, as there have been dramatic spikes in the prices o ffeeds and also increased demand from wholesale farm suppliers.

Globally though, the rise in population has caused an increase in meat demand which has also caused more feed mills to produce feeds to meet with the growing demand by livestock farmers. The revenue for the periods of 2016 to 2021 is therefore expected to increase.

Most livestock feed mills have been established close to where the source of raw materials and major transportation hubs are so as to have less operating costs and therefore offer feeds cheaper to its various customers. The past five years has seen top manufacturers in this industry concentrate most of their operations in a small number of sites using automatic equipment and a continuous operation that produces significant economies of scale.

Most of the products produced are often transported in bulk to the various destinations across the country. The population growth trend is consistent with the increasing trends across other industries in the food and agricultural sector.

Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Executive Summary Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc is a leading and standard livestock feed mill business located here in San Antonio – Texas in the United States of America with an aim to cater to various customers in the agriculture industry. We intend to produce quality livestock feeds for our various customers not only here in San Antonio but all over the United States of America as well.

We however intend to ensure that we create multiple sources of income by offering products and services such as feed delivery merchandise, agricultural educational programs, boarding stables, consultancy and advisory services and agricultural tools and implements.

Our vision is to ensure that we offer our customers’ feeds on time for their livestock without compromising on the quality of the feed. We intend to become the preferred livestock feed business here in San Antonio – Texas and amongst the top three in the United States of America by 2020.

As we are in business to favorably compete against other livestock feed mill businesses, we intend to go the extra mile in ensuring that we get the finest professionals that will ensure that we are able to attain all our goals and objectives.

Our management team were carefully picked by the chief executive officer due to not only their experience and capability but also due to the understanding of our corporate goals and policies as well as an intention of ensuring that they are committed and willing to ensure that these goals are achieved.

Our employees work in an environment that is not only easily accessible but also conducive as well. We will ensure that our employees are well paid and that they receive great welfare and incentive packages that will boost their morale and make them become more dedicated to ensuring that all our goals and objectives are achieved.

We will also ensure that our employees are well trained in line with industry trends. We will also ensure that they attend seminars and conferences that will not only make them have enhanced skills but also improve the productivity rate of the organization.

Finally, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Benteen Calder and his wife have the needed experience and management expertise that will not only boost the growth of our organization but also ensure that we sustain and expand our business at a pace suitable for us.

Our Products and Services Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc intends to deal in livestock feeds by setting up livestock feed mills that will see us being able to cater to all the needs of our various customers here in San Antonio – Texas.

However, because we do not intend to be entirely dependent on one source of income, we intend to create multiple sources of income that will be in line with our core service. We will sell agricultural tools and implements, offer agricultural educational programs as well as consultancy and advisory services.

We intend to through this make as much profits as we can from the agribusiness sector in the agriculture industry and according to the permissible laws of the United States of America. Our products and services include;

Livestock feed Feed delivery merchandise Agricultural educational programs Boarding stables Consultancy and advisory services Agricultural tools and implements Our Vision Statement

Our vision is to ensure that we offer our customers’ feeds on time for their livestock without compromising on quality of the feed. We intend to become the preferred livestock feed business here in San Antonio – Texas and amongst the top three in the United States of America by 2020.

Our Mission Statement In order to achieve our mission, we will ensure that we build several livestock feed mills and also employ competent and capable employees to help attain our goals and objectives.

Our Business Structure Building the right business structure is very important to us as a business especially as we intend to stand out in the industry and compete favorably against our competitors. We are therefore willing to go the extra mile in ensuring that we make plans and build structures and processes that will enable us to build the right business structure that will make our business become one to be reckoned with.

We intend to do all we can to ensure that we employ competent and proficient hands to handle all the various positions and roles that will enable our company achieve its vision and objectives. We will ensure that our management team thoroughly understand their roles and delegate duties when necessary in order for the company to move forward and grow.

Even though running a conventional livestock feed mill business might be simpler for us as a start-up, we would not be running something conventional and this is due to the various additional services and products that we will sell in order to have multiple sources of income.

Therefore, below is the business structure that we will build at Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc;

Chief Executive Officer Feed Mill Production Manager Admin and Human Resources Manager Accountant/Cashier Machine Operators Store Manager Front Desk Officer Marketing and Sales Team Truck Driver Cleaner Security Guard Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer

Makes strategies and policies that will affect the overall operation of the organization Hires and delegates responsibilities to the management team and ensures that the policies are duly implemented Reviews strategies and policies and negotiates with high level clients on behalf of the organization Feed Mill Production Manager

Oversees the livestock feed production and ensures that quality is maintained always Responsible for and evaluates the performance of employees for the benefit of the organization Ensures that organizational policies and decisions are duly implemented Admin and Human Resources Manager

Sources for, interviews and hires capable and efficient employees on behalf of the organization Reviews employee performance and ensures that those who work hard are duly rewarded Ensures that the administrative functions of the organization are performed smoothly Accountant/Cashier

In charge of preparing financial reports, budgets, statements and information on behalf of the organization In charge of conducting financial analysis and forecast on behalf of the organization Prepares tax documents and ensures that they are duly submitted to the tax authorities Machine Operators

Ensures that the machines used for the feed mill are in optimum condition Cleans the machines and ensures that they are recalibrated for each new task it will perform Carries out preventive maintenance on the machines and reports major faults to the management Store Manager

In charge of inventory and monitors all incoming and outgoing stock on behalf of the organization Ensures that the store is adequately secured and ventilated Carries out other duties as directed by the management Front Desk Officer

Attends to clients on behalf of the organization by answering inquiries and providing correct information Maintains an updated and accurate customer database on behalf of the organization Remains enlightened about the company policies as well as industry trends so as to give customers accurate information Marketing and Sales Team

Conducts market research in order to determine new target markets for the organization Creates effective marketing strategies that will generate revenue for the organization Meets with clients in order to negotiate on behalf of the organization Truck Driver

Ensures that customers products arrive on time and at the right destination Keeps a logbook of trips undertaken and the routes used Obeys all traffic laws and regulations whenever on official errands for the organization Cleaner

Ensures that the premises is cleaned Ensures that cleaning stock are always in supply Carries out other duties as determined by the management Security Guard

Ensure that the facility is secured at all times Remains updated as regards trends in the security industry Submit regular security reports Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – SWOT Analysis

Starting a livestock feed mill here in San Antonio might look like an easy business to start up, but there are several factors that we need to take into consideration; which is why we have engaged the services of a business consultant to look through our business concept and determine if we had what it takes to make it in this business.

The business consultant used our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to determine if we were likely to make it in this business. Therefore the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc are;

Strengths We have several strengths going forward in this business. Our location for one in San Antonio – Texas is very strategic as it allows our customers to easily access us conveniently. The fact that we are also offering other services in addition to our core service is another strength for us.

We have also employed employees that are not only proficient but also highly experienced and understand how best to grow our business from a start-up to a force that will be reckoned with nationally. Finally, our chief executive officer is highly experienced and possess all the attributes needed to make our business not only stand out and compete favorably against our competitors but also succeed in this business as well.

Weaknesses Due to the fact that we are relatively a new business, there are several weaknesses we are battling with such as low finances to run all the services we intend to run as well as few staff strength. Also, the fact that we are still unknown will mean we will need to deploy strategies that will likely make us become more visible to our target market.

Opportunities The fact that not only livestock farmers make use of livestock feeds is a great opportunity for us in this business. We are however conducting more market researches that will allow us be aware of the more opportunities available to our business.

Threats

The threats that we are likely to face when starting or running this business will result from having another competitor offering the same services arriving in the same location as us; also, an economic downturn will likely cause livestock farmers to want to produce their own feeds, thereby not allowing them to patronize us as they should.

Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – MARKET ANALYSIS Market Trends The livestock feed mill industry consists of animal feed producers who make food for livestock. Materials that are often used are remnants of flour milling, sugar production as well as other food materials that are integral to the production of livestock feed.

The activities in this industry usually include cubed alfalfa, cattle feeds, barley feeds, chicken feed, turkey feed, swine feed, cubed hay, dairy cattle feed, and custom grain grinding for animal feed. In most animal feed businesses, generating revenue is usually from diversification of products and services. This is so as to achieve substantial growth.

Our Target Market As long as there is livestock farming, there will always be those who demand feeds for their livestock. While on the average we would be catering to livestock farmers, we cannot categorically say that these will be only those that we will cater to, which is why we would be conducting a market research to enable us determine who our target market is so that we would have an idea of the marketing strategies that we would create in order for it to be effective.

Another reason for conducting this market research is so that we would also have an idea of what our intending target market would be expecting from us. From our findings, we are in business to sell our products and offer our services to the following groups of people;

Cattle farmers Hunters Pet owners Ranch farmers

Our Competitive Advantage

Our intention of starting a livestock feed mill business is so as to offer our various customers quality livestock feeds on time without compromising on the quality of these feeds. We intend to become the preferred livestock feed business here in San Antonio – Texas and amongst the top three in the United States of America by 2020. However in order for us to be able to achieve this, we intend to lay out strategies that will allow us compete favorably against our competitors.

We are going to ensure that we build feed mills that will be able to meet all the demands from our various customers. Our intention of building these feed mills is so that no matter what demands will be made, we would still be able to meet them.

Another competitive advantage that we will have over our competitors is the vast experience of our management team. Our management team is filled with professionals who understand the industry thoroughly and know how best to ensure that our business is able to attain all its goals and objectives. Our management team also understand how best to communicate our policies to other employees in such a way as to ensure that everyone is carried along.

Our employees are those that are not only proficient but also capable and dedicated in carrying out all the needed tasks with as little supervision as possible. Our employees have also adopted an excellent customer culture that ensures that all our customers are always attended to and earn a high sense of satisfaction that will allow us retain a high percentage of these customers.

Finally, we intend to ensure that all our employees are well paid, better than other employees in similar start-ups such as ours here in San Antonio. We also intend to give them great welfare and incentive packages that will ensure that they remain motivated to working for our company. We will also ensure that our employees undergo the necessary training that will enhance their skills and boost productivity for our business.

Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY Sources of Income

Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc is a livestock feed mill business that intends to offer livestock feed to all our various customers with the sole aim of generating revenue and maximizing profit in the agriculture cum agri-business industry here in the United States of America.

We are going to also offer additional services to our wide range of customers that will see us generate more income and make more profit. We at Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc therefore intend to generate income by selling the following;

Livestock feed Feed delivery merchandise Agricultural educational programs Boarding stables Consultancy and advisory services Agricultural tools and implements Sales Forecast

The livestock feed business is one that will always be in demand due to the fact that there are more than enough livestock farmers and others who use livestock feed for purposes that are important.

San Antonio is one of the largest cities in Texas with a population of more than 1.5 million citizens, with about 30% into livestock farming. The location therefore has us well positioned to cater to all our intending and existing customers. This also has us confident of the fact that we would not only generate enough revenue but that we will break even and make profit in our first year of business that will grow and sustain our business.

We have also taken a critical look at the agricultural cum agribusiness industry in order to analyze our chances at making it in the business we intend to start up. The sales forecast we therefore came up with is one that was gotten after using several assumptions and data from similar start-ups such as ours here in San Antonio – Texas.

Below therefore are the sales projections for Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc based on certain statistics and data used;

First Fiscal Year-: $600,000 Second Fiscal Year-: $1,100,000 Third Fiscal Year-: $2,000,000 N.B: It should be noted that the above sales forecast was done based on the statistics obtained from the industry and on the assumptions that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that would see farmers preparing their own feed and that no competitor would be arriving at the same location as ours during this three year period. Should any of the assumptions or data change, there would be an increase or decrease in the stated figures.

Marketing and Sales Strategy Because we intend to sustain and grow our livestock feed mill business, we would take our marketing goals very seriously in order to ensure that we deliver on our corporate goals and objectives. Marketing for us is a means of generating revenue as well as creating awareness for our products and services.

In order therefore to create the right marketing strategies that would suit our business, we intend to therefore conduct a market survey that will allow us understand who our target market is, what they want from us, and how best to penetrate the available market and position our business to grow and effectively compete against its competitors. We would be using detailed data and information that was gotten from similar businesses such as ours here in San Antonio – Texas.

We would be engaging the services of a reputable marketing consultant who understands the industry well to help us craft effective marketing strategies that will allow our livestock feed business to win a large share of the target market not only here in San Antonio but throughout the United States of America as well.

We also intend to ensure that our marketing and sales team ensures that marketing strategies crafted fully align with our corporate sales goals and vision. Our marketing team have been empowered to modify or remove marketing strategies that are not deemed effective in helping achieve our intended goals and objectives.

Therefore, Livestock Feed and Mo Inc will adopt the following sales and marketing approach in order to sell its products to its various customers;

Ensure that relevant customers and stakeholders are aware of our livestock feed business her in San Antonio – Texas. Start off our livestock feed mill business with a party that will generate interest and capture the attention of our target market. Ensure that our livestock feed mill business is listed in yellow pages, farmers guide and online directories. Use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to advertise and market our products and services Place adverts in local newspapers and on radio and television ststaions here in San Antonio Engage in direct marketing and sales of our products Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Publicity and Advertising Strategy Publicity is not only a way of creating awareness but also ensuring that a business generates revenue that will help grow and boost the business. Having the right publicity for our business is therefore important as we intend to create awareness within our target market for existing and new customers that will positively communicate our business and project our brand positively.

We will therefore engage the services of a publicity consultant here in San Antonio who thoroughly understands the agribusiness sector of the agricultural industry to help us create publicity strategies that would allow our business stand out and make us to be able to compete favorably against similar competitors here in San Antonio.

The publicity strategies that we will use to promote and communicate our brand are;

Ensure that we place adverts in local newspapers as well as on radio and television stations Distribute our handbills and fliers in different strategic locations here in San Antonio

Use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to further promote and increase publicity for our livestock feed mill business Engage in and sponsor relevant programs in the community Install flexi banners and bill boards at strategic positions all over San Antonio so as to increase the awareness for our business Ensure that we create a unique logo and have this emblazoned on our delivery truck so that people would be able to recognize our business. Our Pricing Strategy

Setting a price for our livestock feed as well as other products and services that we would be offering at Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc is very important because we do not want to set a price that will allow us run at a loss or chase our customers away.

Therefore before setting our price, we would be making some consideration on certain factors such as what it would cost us to produce these feeds, our overhead expenses, what our nearest competitors are offering and the size of the feeds.

Because we however are a new business and want to ensure we get a large share of the market, we would be offering our customers a price discount on our products and services in order to create awareness for our business and attract more customers. The price discount strategy has been carefully reviewed by us and while we might be running on a low profit margin during this period, we would however not be running at a loss.

Payment Options Because we always want the best for our customers, we at Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc have come up with different payment options that would suit all our diverse customers and whatever preferences they might have. The payment options that we will therefore make available at Livestock Feeds and Mo are;

Payment via cash Payment via online payment portal Payment via credit card

Payment via Point of Sale (POS) machine Payment via bank draft Payment via check Start-Up Expenditure (Budget)

The livestock feed mill business is one that requires certain equipment and structures in place, which will take a chunk of the start-up capital in order for it to be referred to as a standard business. Therefore, we intend to spend the bulk of our capital in getting the raw materials for the feed, constructing a feed mill, getting a truck, buying a land and paying the salaries of employees.

The key areas where we intend to spend our start-up capital on are;

Total fee for business registration and incorporation in the United States of America – $750 Obtaining of licenses and permits, inventory and customer software, accounting software and other legal expenses – $2,250 Insurance coverage (equipment insurance, vehicle insurance, workers’ compensation and general liability) – $2,000 Marketing, promotion and publicity expenses for both grand opening of our livestock business as well as general marketing promotion – $3,000 Buying a land, building of administrative, operation and storage facilities – $200,000 Cost of hiring a business consultant – $2,000 Operational cost for the first six months which would include employee salaries and payment of bills – $150,000 Start-up inventory (raw materials and packaging) – $50,000 Constructing of feed mills to produce livestock feed – $10,000 Other start-up expenses (POS Machines, utilities, signage, business cards and stationeries) – $3,000 Purchase of truck for use in operation – $50,000 Purchase of furniture and devices (computers, printers, photocopiers) for administrative section – $3,000

Cost of store equipment (security, ventilation, racks) – $2,000 Cost of launching a website – $500 Cost of throwing a party to create awareness – $1,000 Miscellaneous – $7,000 From the above analysis, we would need the sum of $486,500 to be able to set up and run a standard livestock feed mill business here in San Antonio – Texas. It should be noted that the bulk of the capital will go into buying a land and building several facilities on it, procuring a delivery and an errand truck, getting start-up inventory and setting up a feed mill and also paying the salaries of employees and utility bills for the first six months.

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc Business

Livestock Feeds and Mo Inc is a family business that is financed, owned and run by Benteen Calder and his wife. Since this is a family owned business, the couple does not intend to seek for external business partners and due to this, they have decided to restrict the sourcing of their start-up capital to just few sources.

The areas where we therefore intend to source for our start-up capital from are;

Generate start-up capital from personal savings and sale of stock Source for grants from the federal government Apply for loan from the bank N.B: We were able to generate about $56,000 from our personal savings and sale of stocks. We won a grant of $200,000 from the federal government to use in starting our business and we approached the bank for the sum of $230,000 to be repaid in 10 years at the rate of 3% per annum. All the documents concerning the loan has been approved and signed on and we have been told that the amount will be credited to our business account before the week runs out.

Livestock Feed Mill Business Plan – Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The sustainability of a business depends on what plans are being put in place to ensure that the business survives for a long time. We intend to have our livestock feed mill business exist for a long time and so we will ensure that certain factors that will allow our business to remain long in existence and grow are not taken for granted. We will ensure that we build a sound business structure, carrying out intensive publicity and also re-invest in our business.

Building the right business structure is very important to us and as such we do not mind going the extra mile to ensure that we get employees that are not only experts but committed and dedicated to ensuring that they put in their best to see our livestock feed mill business grow.

Our employees all come with experience and understand how things are done in the industry in order to make sure a business like ours grow. We intend to make sure that our employees are not only well paid and have the best incentive and welfare packages but that they are also allowed to go for training that would not only enhance their skills but boost productivity for our livestock feed mill business as well.

Our management team understands well the philosophies our company run on and know how best to ensure that policies are implemented for the good and growth of the business.

In order to ensure that we receive the right awareness for our business whilst also generating revenue, we intend to engage in massive publicity. To achieve this, we will engage the services of a reputable publicity consultant here in San Antonio, who understands the industry and will therefore craft the right publicity strategies that will not only boost our business and positively communicate our brand, but will allow us stand out and compete favorably against our competitors.

Due to the fact that we do not intend to continually use external sources of revenue always, we will ensure that we re-invest 30 percent of our earnings right back into the business. We have set plans and structures in place that will ensure that this is always carried out no matter who is in charge of our financial. These are the three factors that we intend to engage in so as to sustain and expand our livestock feed mill business here in San Antonio – Texas.

Check List/Milestone

Business Name Availability Check: Completed

Business Registration: Completed Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress Application for business license and permit: Completed Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed Generating capital from family members: Completed Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress Writing of Business Plan: Completed Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing/Promotional Materials: In Progress Recruitment of employees: In Progress Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured Opening party/launching party planning: In Progress Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers/merchants: In Progress Purchase of trucks: Completed Ajaero Tony Martins Ajaero Tony Martins

Founder / Publisher at Profitable Venture Magazine Ltd Ajaero Tony Martins is an Entrepreneur, Real Estate Developer and Investor; with a passion for sharing his knowledge with budding entrepreneurs. He is the Executive Producer @JanellaTV and also doubles as the CEO, POJAS Properties Ltd. More on Agro-Allied Business Plans A Sample Cotton Ginning Business Plan Template A Sample Organic Fertilizer Production Business Plan Template A Sample Charcoal Production Business Plan Template How to Write a Pest Control Business Plan [Sample Template]

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