The concept of a bidr® hybrid auction originated last year, to marry the benefits of online selling capabilities with an on-farm auction. This method proved popular over the 2021 autumn bull selling season and the majority of 76 bidr® bull sales were Hybrid auctions.
The extension of bidr® into sale yards is a natural next step for the company.
“Our technology allows us the flexibility to offer our platform at any sale yard,” bidr® acting general manager Liam Beattie said.
Bidr® has already cut its teeth in sale yards, assisting with a sale at Te Kuiti and playing a pivotal role in the dispersal of NZ Purebred Wagyu at Wellsford.
At their maiden Feilding sale, bidr® users had a selection of 1200 cattle. The market was overall steady-to-strengthening, aside from some downturn in R2 heifer prices. Steers made up most of the offering, with close to 500 R1 and R2 options up for grabs.
A line of Speckle Park Angus cross R2 steers piqued the interest of one bidr® user, and auctioneers fielded bids from both online and in rostrum punters. In the end, rostrum won out and the top cut of steers shifted for $1395, while the second cut sold for $1260.
Bidr® National Territory Manager Caitlin Rokela was pleased with the system’s first run at Feilding. Rokela reported the sale had garnered great response from both new and existing bidr® users, particularly amongst users who had registered with the system when it was first unveiled in 2019 but had not engaged with auctions before.
Overall, the use of bidr® by 152 viewers and 17 registered buyers puts the system in great stead to gain momentum in the sale yard integration. Going forward, bidr® will be a fixture in the Feilding sale yards.
