Livestock Auctions

Livestock auction refers to the procedure in which buying and selling of farm animals take place in a market. It has been a tradition for the farmers to bring their animals to a common place for auction under the strict watch of an experienced auctioneer where livestock buyers, dealers and other buyers assemble in order to view and bid. This process of selling has been reigning for many years, although, primarily it used to take place in annual or bi-annual fares. Change in Tax laws in 1845 transformed these fares into a proper market arrangement in an ideally suited place like at the center of cities or towns on a regular weekly basis. Now these markets are treated as a place of assemblage of farmers for business and social purposes. There has been a certain decline in the number of such markets as it has come down to 191 from 1000. This is probably due to the replacement by some new facilities providing greater space and accessibility.

The auctioneers are at the helm of affairs of trading in such markets for they get a commission as far the sale and they can possess such market place by rent or lease or it can be owned by any single person or any local authority. Drovers, employed by the auctioneers, play a vital role as, the welfare of livestock depends almost entirely on them, although, they don't need to be legally well aware in handling animals.

This Livestock auction follows a process.

Firstly, the unloaded livestock are thoroughly put under inspection in order to be cock sure whether they are worthy to be sold or not. Injured or ill animals are needed to be excluded from this list and it is not legal as well. These stocks then get numbered and penned in accordance with their species, weight, sex and etc. They have to be kept in a proper way penning differently, so that, they don't get injured or unfit.

Animals are needed to get sufficient water to keep them away from thirst, at least, as far as the law is concerned. But, in reality, markets don't need to allow a free access to water for all animals. Short-term market does not need to make any feeding and in fact, to feed the pigs is strictly prohibited as it may cause digestive problems.

Once the animals are sold, the buyers can take them through and put them in the vehicle. Adult animals can remain in a market overnight but the young calves and lambs should, by no means, stay more than a few hours.

It is accessible to all but not to those having a desire of entertainment. Animals in the market should not be disturbed and if anything goes wrong with them, it has to be immediately informed to the authorities.