Overview:
Livestock Buyers sell, buy, and select livestock for individuals and companies.
What responsibilities will I have?
- Identify livestock acquisition opportunities on a daily basis and secure budgeted throughput levels by offering a range of pricing, hedging and service alternatives to growers in the designated region
- Negotiate price with growers and suppliers
- Prepare regular reports for analysis by management on competitor activity, purchasing trends and complaints/queries concerning products
- Recommend solutions to problems involved in the preparation of contracts and negotiations with customers
- Schedule transportation for animals
- Advise growers regarding care and maintenance of livestock to ensure safe and efficient production
- Visually inspect animals for carcass characteristics
- Stay up-to-date regarding market conditions and animal supply
- Transfer information to the scale house coordinators for price reporting and scheduling purposes
- Ensure USDA and Packers & Stockyard Administration regulatory guidelines are being met
What education and training is required?
An associates or bachelor’s degree in animal science, agricultural business or marketing.
To pursue a career as a Livestock Buyer:
The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, a focus on sciences such as animal science and biology, and mathematics.
Typical Employers:
Employed by food production companies, contract growers with integrated production facilities, auctioneer companies, or you may be self-employed.
Future Job Market/Outlook:
The future outlook for Livestock buyers is projected to be fair.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- Dairy Farmers of America
- American Poultry Association
- American Society of Animal Science
- National Pork Producers Council
