How to Buy Cattle at an Auction

You can buy cattle as pets, for raising your own herd, for consumption or showcasing or any number of other reasons. To get the best deal, many people buy cattle at an auction. Learn how to buy cattle through this venue by following these steps.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a cattle auction with the breed of cattle you want. Some cattle auctions hold special auctions for certain breeds, while most hold general auctions with many different breeds of cattle.

2. Bring a large livestock trailer to the auction with you. If you don't have access to a livestock trailer, hire someone to transport your cattle. At auctions, you are expected to take the cattle with you immediately after purchase.

3. Look at the cattle in the holding pens before the auction starts. Find out what you can about them by talking to the owner. Look at them to see what kind of health they are in, including their weight and overall looks.

4. Sit in the stands during the auction and wait for the cattle you have chosen before the sale to enter the ring. If you did not choose any cattle before the auction, pay attention to each one that enters the ring.

5. Raise your hand or bidding card when the auctioneer starts selling the cattle you want. Remember your budget and try to spread it out to buy the amount of cattle you want.

6. Pay for all of the cattle you bought at the purchasing counter. Get a bill of sale to prove transfer of ownership. Collect any health papers or other information on the cattle at this time. Load your cattle into a trailer and transport them to your land.