The following words and phrases as used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section.
(1) “Persons” shall include any individual, firm, association, partnership or corporation.
(2) “Department” means the department of agriculture.
(3) “Director” means the director of the department of agriculture.
(4) “Livestock” means and includes cattle, calves, horses, mules and swine.
(5) “Public livestock market” means:
(6) “Market charter” means the charter for public livestock market operation authorized to be issued under the provisions of this act.
(7) “Livestock market operator” means any person engaged in the business of conducting or operating a public livestock market, whether personally or through agents or employees.
Any place, establishment or facility commonly known as a “livestock market,” “livestock auction market,” “sales ring,” “stockyard,” or the like, consisting of pens, or other inclosures, and their appurtenances, in which livestock is received, held, sold or kept for sale or shipment, which is conducted or operated for compensation or profit as a public market for livestock.
Marketing or trading, including the transmission of market information, bids, and offers, may be facilitated by computer, video, or any other electronic device.