Price and Cost Aspects of Alternative Cattle Selling Methods

The level of prices and net returns are compared for cattle sold at auction, over the-hooks and in the paddock. After adjusting prices to a point-of-slaughter basis, no significant difference was found between prices paid for cattle under the three selling methods examined. Producers' net returns at the farm gate were found to be significantly lower for cattle sold at auction. The results of two case studies examining livestock agents' costs and livestock buyers' costs under different selling methods are also reported