Friday, March 29, 2024

Good interest in online bulls

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New-look bull sales have started well this winter with higher-quality offerings, pleasing results and both vendors and intending buyers willing to adapt, PGG Wrightson national genetics manager Callum Stewart says. Early in the sale season about half of vendors elected to hold their sales online because of the covid-19 restrictions on buyers’ travel.
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Agents report breeders with later dates have adopted a wait-and-see approach to holding their on-farm sales.

“Along with all the other challenges that farming faces the changes in selling channels and sale formats have been well accepted and the outcomes generally pleasing.”

Stewart said vendors have responded with quality offerings rather than quantity and put together good marketing campaigns.

Viewing opportunities are being provided ahead of sales and videos are not intended to completely replace eye appraisal for those who require it.

Stock agencts have put in considerable time and effort to prepare their clients, take videos, canvas buyers and help all participants with information and the technology.

Stewart said it is too early in the selling season to gauge the strength of the market but clearances, averages and top prices do appear to be holding up.

Carrfields stud stock agent Callum Dunnett said most beef farmers are upbeat about the bull sales and remain keen to see, select and buy.

The added technology is now here to stay and enhances the whole process, in his opinion.

“We might not see the top money of previous years, for a number of reasons, though the early results have been encouraging.”

Angus vendor Tim Brittain, whose Storth Oaks bull sale of about 80 lots is on May 28 at Otorohanga, said the video uploads drew inquiries from the length of the country.

“We have been contacted by people who won’t be able to travel and we have provided as much information as possible.”

Brittain uses an independent structural assessor, Bill Austin, and publishes fertility tests.

Vendors John and Tracey Cochrane from Delmont Angus in Clinton, Otago, also elected to go with a hybrid auction format with auctioneer control from the farm and live-streaming of the penned bulls.

On May 19 they sold 24 of 24 offered online and three afterwards and averaged $8075 with a top price of $13,600.

A top price of $25,000 was made by an Angus bull in the first week of online auctions.

The PGG Wrightson Bidr Angus sale on May 13 had 15 bulls offered and 13 sold with an average of $9807.

The top price was paid by Tahu Ruanui Angus at Taihape for a bull from Te Mania, North Canterbury.

Penvose Angus at Wedderburn, Central Otago, sold 31 of 34 bulls offered on Bidr on May 16 with an average of $7132 and a top price of $13,000, sold to Hawkdun Station.

Kaimoa South Devons at Eketahuna sold 22 of 23 bulls on May 18, averaging $6950 with a top price of $11,000 made twice.

Vendor Mark Eagle said the on-farm sale attracted about 50 farmers, 17 of whom bought bulls and delivered his best average price historically.

“Recording and distancing requirements were observed, we had a really fine day and people were just glad to be out, looking at bulls and catching up with each other,” he said.

The Hammond family at Ruaview, Ohakune, sold 12 Angus bulls at an average of $7715 with two top prices of $10,300 then followed that with seven Simmental bulls sold, average $5514, top price $10,100.

Glenwood Angus at Mosgiel on May 14 sold 11 of 12 bulls for an average of $5850 and a top price of $9000.

The Loch Lomond South Devon bull sale at Mosgiel on the same day sold five to average $5100 with a top price of $8000 paid by Richard Nicol.

The Taiaroa Charolais stud in Paerau Valley, Central Otago, sold 15 of 19 bulls on May 18, averaging $5678 and achieving a top price of $8500.

Okahu Hereford at Ruapehu offered 22 on May 14 and sold 16 with an average of $5644 and a top price of $12,000.

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