Livestock - How To Auction Your Livestock

Livestock auctions are an important marketing channel for livestock. Here is an overview of how to prepare for an auction and what to expect on the day.

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Once you’ve decided to auction your livestock, the first step is, of course, to choose the animals that you wish to sell. In doing so, you need to consider the following factors:

• Quality and classification

Classification characteristics are determined by the animal’s age, fatness, conformation, damage and sex. A marketing agent can help you classify the animals.

• Quantity

How many do you plan to sell?

• Weight

You will have to weigh the animal before the auction. You can only expect a high price for an animal that is in good condition, preferably between A and B grades, not too lean or too fat, and castrated (an ox, in the case of cattle). C-grade animals fetch the lowest prices.

PLANNING FOR THE AUCTION

Follow these steps when preparing to sell your animals by auction: