February 15, 2008

US cattle farmers steer towards online livestock auctions

Selling cattle through the Internet has been a growing trend in the US as more farmers, ranchers and meatpackers see the advantage of it, The Electronic Auction Market said.

Jim Dressen, representative of the online auction market, said that the trend is a natural progression for the US

industry as almost everything is sold in the Internet, with no exception to cattle.

Dressen pointed that online livestock auctions save time, money and are better for the animals.

In 2006, the web site's first year, around 500 head of cattle were sold. The number expanded to more than 4,500 in 2007.

The site, www.central livestock.com, has an average of three auctions a week, compared with one just six months ago.

Online cattle auctions work like those on eBay, with pictures and bidding, but are faster because they are held in real time.

Around six to eight meatpackers will bid on an online auction, compared with three or four at most traditional markets.

Cattle sold online go directly from seller to buyer, which not only lessens transportation costs, but also reduces stress and sickness in the animals, Dressen said.