Most of America is looking for easier and more simple ways of doing business and at a greater profit. In an effort to help cattle buyers and seller streamline their efforts, a Colorado-based company offers an alternative to the auction barn. "We want to help cattlemen market their animals and allow buyers to make one stop to fill their orders," says Margaret Whittaker, president of DigitalCattle.com. "

"Sellers can forget the hassle of hauling cattle to the auction barn this selling season and having to take what's offered on that day. Buyers know we are the place to go to find quality cattle, " says Rodney Culverwell, chief agent for the marketing company based is Craig, Colo. "It doesn't cost a thing to list cattle with us and buyers can save themselves a lot of miles."Whittaker, herself a rancher, says the service is easy and rancher-friendly. Selling cattle for what they're worth and buying quality at a fair price may be easier than you think. The auction barn alternative has shipped cattle from Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota in its two years, and has recently became licensed and bonded in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah. Since the business began, the company has constantly received more and more interest from people in the industry and is looking forward to serving those people during their third year of operation.

With this service, cattle sellers don't load and haul cattle to the auction yard; they don't even have to leave the ranch. Many buyers see the cattle (via digital pictures on the internet) and the sellers choose to accept or reject bids without a no-sale fee. The cattle stay on the ranch until the sale is complete, so there are no additional feed charges and no high commission rates from an auctioneer, which is refreshing to sellers.

The buyers, on the other hand, can visit the website and see cattle from lots of different ranches in a matter of minutes. Cattle are sold in truckload increments, so a buyer can fill their order quickly. "It is important to us that the quality of the cattle shipped will meet expectations of the buyers," says Culverwell. As an agent, it is his job to visit the ranches in his territory and evaluate each truckload of cattle before they are offered for sale.

"For protection of both the buyer and seller, information about these cattle has to be accurate," Whittaker says. During the initial visit, agents gather pertinent information on the cattle, such as weights and vaccinations, and takes photos to represent the offering. The agents send this information to DigitalCattle headquarters where it is uploaded and the offering is made public. A rancher can show his or her cattle to many potential buyers after a single visit from a DigitalCattle agent.

After the bid has been accepted and finalized, a down payment is sent to the seller. The agent returns to the ranch on desired delivery date with a check for the cattle after they are weighed. It's simple for all parties involved, even less stress on the cattle.

For more information, visit www.DigitalCattle.com>, or call Whittaker or Culverwell at DigitalCattle.com headquarters, 970-824-2325. ©