A1117 - Operation of stockyards with railway entry

Operational Details
A stockyard is normally a set of corrals, or pens, near or beside a rail line or spur, where cattle are delivered by the consigner, held and fed, watered and generally taken care of, until the livestock is sold usually by the stockyard operator, hiring an auctioneer. The stockyard owner may also arrange for transportation by truck, if necessary.

The major difference between a stockyard operation and a cattle auction, is that the auction uses salaried staff, who look after the cattle, and a commission is paid to the auctioneer for selling the stock. The stockyard operator has commissioned agents acting on behalf of the consigner or owner of the livestock, and the commissioned agent pays the stockyard for auction services.

SIC Codes
000000017 - Operation of stockyards