Livestock marketing and transportation

Many producers prefer to have a direct relationship with the slaughterhouse, and to receive payment direct from them, normally within 10 days of kill. The benefits of this type of relationship are numerous. 

Some producers prefer to be part of a marketing co-operative. There is a cost of belonging to such a co-operative but this has to be set against the potential benefits  

A direct relationship with a local butcher or farm shop 

This form of livestock marketing might occur where a local butcher selects from the field, offers a price, liveweight or deadweight, and arranges the slaughter for the producer. This type of relationship can keep costs to the absolute minimum, and can be a very useful outlet for the producer. 

This form of marketing is rarely used for organic stock, apart from store stock to be sold as conventional. This is partly due to the lack of stock, but also because these channels do not sit easily with organic ethics, and are usually ruled out by certifying bodies. Welfare may be compromised by additional and unnecessary transport and handling, and other organic standards can more easily be compromised in the environment of a predominantly conventional livestock market. 

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