Are you a lamb producer thinking of investing in contained housing? Contained housing can take your lamb production to the next level – but how much does a lamb feedlot shed cost?
Lamb feedlot sheds are proving to be smart investments as producers look to build on their existing containment feeding system, find a competitive edge and fully capitalise on benefits such as:
- Faster weight gains and finishing
- Improved animal health and welfare
- Labour efficiencies and improved working conditions
These benefits can make management easier, boost profitability, and deliver excellent ROI.
However, lamb feedlot sheds can be a major project and often involve a shift in management style and a significant financial investment.
That’s why it’s important to build a solid business case – crunch the numbers early and think through the different scenarios that might play out.
To help you start your project budgeting, in this article, we discuss:
- Lamb feedlot shed cost
- Popular sizes and prices
- Factors that influence project costs
- How to create a cost-effective design
- Other lamb feedlot set-up costs to consider
Let’s get into it!
How Much Does A Lamb Feedlot Shed Cost?
How much does the average lamb feedlot shed cost? What is the cost per square metre? What is the cost per head?
The average cost of a lamb feedlot shed is around $750,000, with prices ranging from $250,000 to $1,400,000.
The lamb feedlot shed cost for your project will depend on factors like size, location and design features included.
As a general rule, a lamb feedlot shed costs around $115 – $150/m² including GST, which works out to be around $150 – $160/head.
The cost per head for your project will depend on factors like stocking rate, loafing areas and shed configuration.
For an idea of how pricing can vary between sizes and designs, check out the list below.
Popular Lamb Feedlot Shed Sizes & Prices
Here is a list of popular lamb feedlot shed sizes and an approximate price guide for each that includes:
- Roof only configuration
- Steep roof pitch and ridge ventilation
- GST, installation and delivery
Please note that these price guides are approximate only and are intended as a budgeting tool. For accurate pricing for your project, please request a quote. Call us on 1800 687 888.
Size & Price List
- 24m (W) x 220m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $590,000 – $715,000.
- 27m (W) x 51m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $230,000 – $275,000.
- 27m (W) x 72m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $300,000 – $360,000.
- 27m (W) x 144m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $460,000 – $550,000.
- 27m (W) x 178m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $525,000 – $640,000.
- 30m (W) x 92.4m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $400,000 – $500,000.
- 40m (W) x 450m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $1,700,000 – $2,400,000.
- 45m (W) x 200m (L) lamb feedlot shed costs approx. $1,000,000 – $1,500,000.
We hope these price guides are helpful for your project budgeting.
Read on for an overview of the main factors that will influence your lamb feedlot shed cost – and other implementation costs to keep in mind.
Factors That Influence The Cost To Build A Lamb Feedlot Shed
There are four main cost influencers to keep in mind – lamb feedlot shed size, configuration, design features and materials.
Here’s how they could impact your project.
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1. Size
Larger lamb feedlot sheds will cost more simply because there are more materials and labour required.
There may also be additional permit requirements that could add to the overall project cost.
However, it is worth noting that the bigger the shed, the more cost-effective it becomes per head.
It is also important to ensure the shed size provides the correct ratio of bunk space to stocking density. Failing to do this and skimping on size could cost you money in the long run as you are unable to take full advantage of the shed.
You can find size suggestions here – What Size Lamb Feedlot Cover Do I Need?
And read on to learn about configuration and how it can influence lamb feedlot shed cost.
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2. Configuration
Keep in mind that some configurations are more cost-effective than others.
As a general rule, a narrower and longer shed will be more cost-effective than a wider and shorter shed.
This is because there is more labour and heavy steel involved in increasing the width compared to increasing the length.
However, the best configuration for your project will also depend on factors like:
- The position of the feed lane (For example, a canopy is a cost-effective way to cover a side feed lane)
- Stocking density
- Bunk space requirements for your feeder type
You can learn more about different cost-effective configurations and suggestions further on in this article under How To Save Money On Your Project
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3. Design Features
Design features such as a custom gutter system, sliding doors, and formed up footings will all add to the overall project cost.
However, these features all increase the functionality of your lamb feedlot shed and will soon pay for themselves.
For example:
- Formed up footings prevent injuries
- Custom gutter systems allow you to capture and use stormwater runoff (Try our handy calculator here)
- Sliding doors can be used for access and adjusting airflow through the shed.
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4. Materials
The materials used to build a shed are one of the main cost contributors.
These include the structural steel frame – an Action shed is manufactured from UB columns and open web trusses (about six times heavier than a purlin shed!) and the shed cladding, with Zinc cladding the most cost-effective option.
You might find these articles helpful:
- What Will Steel Prices Do In 2025?
- Purlin Farm Sheds Versus Structural Steel Sheds
- Colorbond Versus Zinc Versus Galv Cladding (Pros, Cons & Prices)
The other material cost to consider is corrosion protection.
Watch the video below to learn why every Action shed is hot dip galvanised, why it is the most-effective option and how it has the lowest long-term cost.
What Other Project Costs Do You Need To Know About?
The shed frame and installation is just one component of a lamb feedlot cover.
It is also important to factor in costs for:
- Site preparation (You might find this article helpful – Farm Shed Pad Guide: Ideas, Sizes & Prices)
- Council permits (You might find this article helpful – How Much Do Farm Shed Permits Cost?)
- Concreting
- Feeders and troughs
- Water storage
- Fodder storage
How To Save Money On Your Project
There are two main ways you can save money when covering your lamb feedlot – without sacrificing either functionality or quality.
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1. Standard Sizes
Choosing a standard size span is a proven way to create a cost-effective design.
This is because standard span sizes are functional and faster to manufacture, saving money in the manufacturing stage.
You can learn more about the range here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds?
Several standard bay spacings work well for lamb feedlot sheds, too.
These range from 8 metres to 10 metres, with the 10 metre option being common for larger setups for airflow and access, particularly if the footings have been formed up.
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2. Cost-Effective Configurations
As we mentioned earlier, some configurations are more cost-effective than others.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- A roof-only configuration is the most cost-effective option and can be customised with gable infills and partial walls
- Increasing the length is more cost-effective than increasing the width, but pay attention to stocking density and bunk space ratios.
- Canopies can be used to cover side feed lanes. This is more cost-effective than upsizing the span and can also be used to prevent inconvenient column placement.
That’s a wrap on our discussion around the cost to build a lamb feedlot shed!
We trust this article has been helpful for your project budgeting.
For project-specific recommendations and accurate pricing, book a project consultation.
Call us on 1800 687 888 or submit a REQUEST A QUOTE form. We would love to hear from you.
