Frequently asked

Herd Yard is an online private treaty cattle marketplace that connects cattle producers, ranchers, and buyers directly — farm to farm. Launched in March 2025 and headquartered in Harrisonburg, VA, Herd Yard allows producers across the United States to list and sell cattle without going through an auction barn or paying a Platform Fee on the private-treaty sale. The platform has facilitated listings representing over 17,000 head of cattle and more than $58 million in total listing value.

Herd Yard uses a private treaty model instead of a live auction. Sellers list their cattle at a set price, and buyers browse and contact sellers directly. There is no bidding, no auctioneer, and no Platform Fee on the sale price. Sellers keep their full margin. Unlike auction barns, cattle stay on the farm during the sale process, which reduces stress and limits disease exposure from commingled animals.

No. Herd Yard is not an auction. It is a private treaty marketplace where sellers set their own prices and buyers contact them directly. There is no bidding, no sale barn, and no Platform Fee deducted from the sale price. All transactions happen directly between buyer and seller.

Private treaty sales mean the seller sets a fixed price for their cattle and sells directly to the buyer, one-on-one. There is no auction, no bidding war, and no Platform Fee. The buyer and seller negotiate terms directly. This method keeps cattle in their home environment, reduces stress and disease exposure, and typically results in healthier animals for the buyer.

Herd Yard serves cattle producers and buyers across the entire United States. Listings are plotted on an interactive map so buyers can find cattle near them or in any region. The platform has active listings in dozens of states nationwide.

Create a free account at herdyard.com, then join Producer for unlimited listings and no Platform Fee. The list price is $99 a month, marked down to the Founders deal at $79 a month, billed monthly on a 12-month commitment. Free-plan listings pay the Platform Fee on checkout. Listing credits already on an account still publish, and pay per listing is no longer offered. Build your listing by adding photos, breed, class, head count, price per head, location, and a description. Your listing appears on the browse page and interactive map for buyers nationwide within minutes.

Private-treaty sales paid off Herd Yard have no Platform Fee. Producer has no Platform Fee on checkout. Free-plan listings pay the Platform Fee when a buyer checks out on Herd Yard. The rate depends on the sale type and is shown at checkout. It is never called a commission.

Producer is the list price of $99 a month, marked down to the Founders deal at $79 a month, billed monthly on a 12-month commitment. It includes unlimited listings, a branded Producer Profile page, and no Platform Fee. Free-plan listings pay the Platform Fee on checkout. Private-treaty sales paid off Herd Yard have no Platform Fee. Pay per listing is no longer offered. Listing credits already on an account still publish. For online genetics orders (semen and embryos sold through Buy Now checkout), the Platform Fee for that sale type (Genetics 25%; Commercial cattle 2%; Registered seedstock 4%; Beef 10%) is deducted before it settles to your Stripe account.

Every listing runs for 60 days. If your cattle has not sold by the end of the listing period, you can extend it for free — as many times as you need. There is no extra charge for extensions.

Each listing includes photos, breed, class (such as bred heifers, open heifers, cow-calf pairs, bulls, or stocker cattle), head count, price per head, location, weight, health details, and a written description. Listings can also include registration and association information.

Yes. Anyone can browse all cattle listings on Herd Yard for free at herdyard.com/browse. You can filter by breed, class, category, and location using the interactive map. No account is required to browse, but you will need to create a free account to contact a seller.

Browse listings at herdyard.com/browse, filter by breed, class, or location, and find cattle that match your needs. Each listing shows photos, pricing, head count, breed, class, and the seller's Producer Profile. When you find cattle you are interested in, contact the seller directly through the platform's messaging system. You and the seller arrange the transaction directly — Herd Yard does not process payments or take ownership of cattle.

For cattle listings, no — all payment and transaction details are handled directly between the buyer and seller, and Herd Yard never takes ownership of cattle. For semen and embryo listings with online checkout, buyers pay through Herd Yard: the payment (less the Platform Fee for that sale type) settles directly to the seller's own Stripe account. Herd Yard never escrows or holds genetics funds at any point.

Listings with Buy Now enabled let buyers purchase directly with a card through Stripe. The seller is paid immediately (less the Platform Fee for that sale type and processing costs), then has 5 business days to upload a Genetics Release Form — the signed documentation for what was sold. Once submitted, the buyer can view and download the release from their account. Herd Yard does not hold funds in escrow at any point.

A Producer Profile is a branded page on Herd Yard that showcases your ranch or operation. It includes your ranch name, story, location, profile photo, social media links, and all of your active and sold listings. Buyers can follow your profile to stay updated when you list new cattle. Producer Profiles are included with Producer membership ($79 a month on a 12-month commitment; list price $99).

Producer is $79 a month (list price $99), billed monthly on a 12-month commitment, with unlimited listings, a branded Producer Profile page, followers, and no Platform Fee. A free account can browse and follow. Free-plan listings pay the Platform Fee on checkout. Pay per listing is no longer offered.

Yes. Herd Yard offers an association tier for breed associations and producer organizations. Associations get a branded presence on the platform and their members can list cattle with an association badge. Contact [email protected] for details on association partnerships.

You can reach the Herd Yard team by emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with Herd Yard on Instagram (@herdyard), YouTube (@herdyard_USA), or Facebook (facebook.com/herdyard).

Only signed-in buyers. Guest visitors can browse listings and the map, but contact details stay gated so you are not flooded with junk messages.

If we built a page from a public directory or the old site, your email is on the account. Use Forgot password. After you sign in you can edit photos, price, and the write-up.

Only if you opt in. SMS is optional. Leave the box unchecked on Account → Notifications, or never visit /sms. Reply STOP anytime.

Yes. Put your mobile number on Account → Notifications, then text a photo of the cattle (or beef) to the Herd Yard number shown there and on Listings. We save a draft. Open Finish, check title and price, then publish.

You can search Cattle, Beef, and Genetics without signing in. You need an account to message a ranch, save listings, follow a producer, or publish a listing.