Learning how to buy cattle at auction can seem difficult at first, especially when the auctioneer is calling bids and prices are changing every few seconds. Understanding how the sale works before bidding can make it much easier to follow the auction and work out what each animal or lot may actually cost.

Understand How Cattle Are Priced

Cattle may be sold using different pricing methods depending on the saleyard, country and type of auction.

Common methods include:

• price per kilogram
• price per pound
• price per hundredweight (CWT)
• price per head

If cattle are being sold by weight, the price called by the auctioneer is not the final amount you will pay. You also need to consider the estimated weight of the animal or lot.

Estimate the Weight Before You Bid

When buying cattle at auction, the exact weight may not always be known while bidding is taking place.

Before the sale, estimate the likely weight and use that figure to calculate the approximate purchase price at different bid levels. It can also help to compare slightly higher and lower weights so you know how much the final cost could change.

How to Buy Cattle at Auction Without Overpaying

It is easy to get caught up in fast bidding, so decide how much you are prepared to pay before the auctioneer reaches your limit.

Work out your maximum price using the estimated cattle weight and the highest price per kilogram, pound, CWT or head that still fits your budget.

Allow for Fees and Other Costs

The winning bid may not be the final cost of buying the cattle.

Depending on the sale, you may also need to allow for:

• buyer’s premiums
• commissions
• sale fees
• transport
• other buying costs

Including these costs gives you a better estimate of the true landed cost of the cattle.

Keep Track of Purchases During the Sale

If you buy several animals or lots, keeping a running total becomes increasingly important.

Recording each purchase as you go can help you see how much you have committed to spending and whether you still have room in your budget for later lots.

Use a Livestock Auction Calculator

Livestock Auction Calculator is designed to help cattle buyers calculate prices while attending livestock auctions, saleyards, stockyards and sale barns.

It can calculate prices by kilogram, pound, CWT or head, compare different estimated weights and help keep track of purchases during the sale.

The app works on iPhone, iPad and Android and can also be used offline, which is useful at rural saleyards where mobile reception may be unreliable.