World's Largest Livestock Market Auction
On Monday morning , January 5, 2015, we toured Liniers the largest sale barn in the world. On Monday there was a total of 2800 head of cattle that were sold throught the sale barn, which was considered a very slow day. Normally there is around a total of 10,000 head that go through on a given day except for Thursday- Sunday sales do not take place. About 30 years ago the sale barn used to sale around 30,000 head of catttle, that number dramaticly decreased because they are no longer allowed to export due to foot and mouth disease. Therefore all livestock that passes through the barn is for internal Argentine consumption.. Packing plants and restraunts are the main buyers of cattle. JBS is a big spender at theses types of sales, even though they used to have seven packing plants in Argentina they now only have one functioning due to the decrease in cattle numbers. Larger farms are able to sell directly to the packer because they can sell full loads on their own and can afford to have their own trucks, where as the smaller operations have to depend on contract truckers. Brokers get 4% commission and the sale barn receives an cut of the 4% from the brokers, no producers are able to sell directly to the sale barn.
In comparison to most U.S. sale barns they do not sell catle through an arena, but rather walk over the cattle on the catwalks to view them. The more prestigous buyers have the privelige of riding through the sale barn and biding on horseback. Walking over them makes the sale day move more efficiently. Each pen is weighed for its buyers must purchase the whole pen. When discussing with a producers, he stated his cattle experienced an 8% shrink due to traveling in the Argentine heat, compared to the 2-3% shrink in the U.S. His cattle weighed 430 kilos which converts to 947 pounds and they sold for 19.50 pesos per kilo. He stated he was very satisfied with the price he received for his cattle. The Linier market is the major livestock trade center for the country. Cattle are weighed prior to being put on trucks and upon arrival records that are sealed must be presented and the livestock are weighed again. The sale yard is organized in sections with each company having its own section marked by banners. Once the cattle are sold a paint brand is usually placedon the cattle for identification.
In regards to working and sorting the cattle Goucho´s (Cowboys) ride horse back. Their saddles are completely different than a America western saddle there is no saddle horn and it is basically an english soft saddle. A marjority of the sturrips are made out of wood and a could boy boot would not fit through. No hot shots or dogs are ever used and animal wefare issues are heavily regulated. Over all it was a great experience.
Jacob Meyer
Mik Sich
