On behalf of a farmer or a meat processing facility, a livestock buyer purchases animals for slaughter or breeding. In some countries, in order to work, buyers must be certified a government agency. Traveling to farms, feedlots, and processing plants is part of the job, as is conducting research into market trends and the industry as a whole. Compensation varies depending on the region, employer, and nature of the job.
Some livestock buyers are only interested in purchasing animals that will be slaughtered. They inspect available livestock at feedlots and farms on behalf of their employers, selecting animals. Buyers look for animals that are healthy and will pass inspection, as well as factors such as the animal’s size and likely meat quality. Some also supervise the slaughter and inspect the carcasses for quality control.
They may represent meat processing plants, butcher shops, supermarkets, and other businesses that buy animals for slaughter. Buyers may work for a single company or as consultants representing multiple clients at the same time. Travel is required to locate animals for purchase, and in some cases, a livestock buyer may wish to visit the farms where the animals were raised to learn more about animal welfare and farming conditions.
Farms require new stock for breeding and farming in order to develop mature animals; some farmers may not have their own breeding programs and must rely on a livestock buyer to find suitable animals. The buyer may visit farms and auction lots to find suitable animals and arrange transportation to customers. A livestock buyer can help with stock purchases for breeding operations, looking for animals with good genetic traits and a track record of producing viable and valuable offspring.
It may be necessary to monitor market trends to determine what types of meat are selling, as well as where and in what quantities they are typically sold. This information is used livestock buyers to provide business advice to farmers and other clients. Attending trade shows, reading industry publications, and keeping up with current events are all examples of market research. If, for example, a trend for lean meats emerges, the livestock buyer must be prepared to advise clients on the best ways to meet customer demands.
Working conditions can be hot and dirty, and working hours can be long. Buyers may need to stay as long as it takes to fill an order at auctions and feedlots. Their duties may include inspecting animals in potentially dangerous situations such as crowded pens and slaughterhouses. A livestock buyer’s familiarity with livestock can be a valuable asset.