The SSDB can arrange sales for any producer requesting the service. The sales can be of breeding stock, feeder lambs, or slaughter and lambs. The marketing plan also gives the board the authority to sell goats. However, the board is not a single desk selling office there is no obligation to sell through the board. 
 

Charges Include:
	Handling Charge:	1.50	paid to the SSDB
	Yardage:	1.25- 2.00	paid to the assembly yard, includes weighing*
	GST:
	Insurance:	.50	producer fund - covers losses
	Total:	3.50- 4.00	plus GST
	*worst case: yardage at two locations

Producers are responsible for shipping costs from their farm to the assembly yards. Buyer covers the cost of shipping from the assembly points to destination. 

Determining whether to sell Rail Grade, Live Weight

Rail grade sales are based on finished weight and condition of the carcass. In most cases good producers whose animals yield in excess of 50% should find rail grade results in more money per animal. One draw back is not knowing the final price until after slaughter. Currently, Sunterra is the only company offering this option. Producers can forward contract with them. 

The sales arranged by the SSDB are live weight sales. This type of sales is of greatest benefit to producers who like to know the price they will receive before they ship. The producer then has the option of selling or not selling at that time. The buyer benefits from the advantage of full semi loads in transportation saving and easy access to large number of animals from around the province. The producer with a smaller flock has the advantage of being part of the large load that is bid across Canada. 
 

Typical Sale: based on 100 lamb yield 45%
	Weight:	100 lbs
	Shrink 3%	0 lbs
	Selling Weight	100 lbs	carcass yield 48.5 lbs
	Price	1.30	price (spring 2007)
	Total	130.00
	Selling Fees	3.71
	Cheque mailed to producer $126.29
	Equivalent carcass price $2.68 / lb

The auction sales are another example of live weight sales. Auction sales can be specifically sheep sales or general livestock sales. Sheep sales usually have buyers agents bidding on their behalf. The prices at an auction are a combination of market price and how many people are bidding. Obviously, the more competitive the bidding the higher the resulting price. However, if few bidders are present prices could be lower. Producers need to remember the bidders are responding to visual appearance of the sheep in the ring. One or two scruffy or poor quality sheep can lower the bids on the group. Sorting the sheep can offset this problem. The cost to the producer is approximately the same as selling through the SSDB.