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With a farm, livestock and crops to manage, many farmers don't have the opportunity to get out and about to select their own stock. They engage livestock buyers, who have the knowledge to grade and purchase quality livestock products. People working for large meat companies also employ them to select premium animals for processing.
Most livestock is purchased at sale yards, where animals are auctioned off to the highest bidder. A typical day for a livestock buyer starts early so that they have time to assess the quality of the stock before the auction begins.
A livestock buyer's experience and knowledge really comes into play as they select and bid for stock. It's their job to purchase premium quality livestock, at the most competitive price.
''The auctioneer provides you with a description of what's being offered, the number of animals, their age and weight, but purchasing the best comes down to your expertise,'' says Hugh Harding, State Livestock Manager, for Wesfarmers Dalgety.
The auctioneer starts the bidding at a price that they think the stock is worth, then works backwards until an initial bid is made. When the highest bid is reached, it's, 'going once, twice, three times and sold.'
Livestock Traits
Depending on whose behalf they are purchasing, livestock buyers will keep an eye out for certain traits and characteristics in the livestock.
Livestock buyer Bill Nichols discusses these traits, and when they apply.
''If purchasing grazier sheep for a farmer, I'll be on the look out for wool length or the size and condition of the stock. The skin of slaughter stock also has a value and it's the keen eye of the livestock buyer that assesses its worth. If I am selecting breeding stock, I'm looking for animals in prime condition.''
Livestock buyers may also buy and inspect stock on farms (private sales), where stock is mainly graded by weight. If for slaughter, the animals are taken to an abattoir where their quality and weight is assessed, and a price is agreed on.
''A typical day for me might involve buying 700 mutton for a meat processor, 400 for a farmer and 600 for a grazier. In order to do this, I'm up at 4am, leaving home by about 4.30am/5.00 and on my way to Albany. I might arrive at the sale at around 6.30am,'' says Bill Nichols.
After Bill has completed his purchases, he will arrange transportation of the livestock, whether it is to a farm, an abattoir, or to the wharf for live export.
While you'll get to spend most of your time outdoors, in rural settings, remember that there's long hours involved and it's pretty tough work. With 20,000 livestock being sold, the auction can take up to seven hours!
Growing a Profit
''It's great buying livestock, and seeing someone grow them into a profit. But it can be disappointing when livestock prices are low, or seasonal conditions are such that farmers aren't getting a return,'' says Hugh Harding.
So, if you have a strong interest in the rural industry, and think you have what it takes to be a livestock buyer, start getting as much experience as you can.
''You are not going to get a go at livestock buying without a profile in the industry, so you need to have spent a lot of time working with livestock. You have to be a hard worker and be prepared to work long hours,'' says livestock buyer Dick Ker.
In general, employment prospects in livestock buying are limited.
Dick Ker says,
''Employment prospects may pick up because of the ageing workforce. But livestock are now being traded at computer auctions, or prices are negotiated on a weight and grade basis. If this trend continues, the overall demand for livestock buyers is likely to decrease.''
Most livestock buyers work on commission basis, agreed to with their client. However, those starting out in the industry may earn approximately $30,000 to $35,000 per annum. Salaries may rise to $60,000 or $70,000 for those with more experience, and up to around $80,000 for self-employed livestock buyers.
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