In 1971, cash receipts from sales of U.S. livestock amounted to $19.3 billion for marketing nearly 60 million head of cattle and calves, 100 million hogs, and over 14 million head of sheep and lambs. Marketing costs were estimated at $561 million--2.9 percent of livestock value and up $130 million from 1966 benchmark costs. Direct sales of slaughter stock accounted for nearly three-fourths of total marketing costs; marketing of nonslaughter animals, about one-fourth; and terminal and auction charges, about one-tenth. Marketing costs nationally averaged $3.20 per animal unit for all livestock, all agencies, and all regions in 1966. In 1971 the average cost was estimated at about $3.76 per animal unit. This study examines cost differences among agencies in relation to varying livestock volume handled and marketing services furnished.