Tuesday, February 09, 2010 -- 05:38 AM e.s.t.

Education - Publications - General Information

Protection available to Livestock Sellers

by Robert J. Melchior
Market Coordinator
Northeast Sheep and Goat Marketing Program
at Cornell University

State and federal government programs are in place that provide some types of protection to livestock sellers. Usually these include licensing and record keeping requirements for dealers and other livestock buyers and in some cases may include some limited bonding.

Details on some of these programs are included in the links listed below. It is important to note that these provisions are no substitute for prudence when making a sale.  Know your buyer, inquire about his reputation in the trade and avoid extending credit.  Sources of information include your state or regional Packers and Stockyards representative, your state agriculture department, and other producers who have worked with the buyer.  These considerations should be made for commission sale barns as well.

You deserve prompt and certain settlement for your livestock production.