Red meat sector battles on
It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.
In a successful first, NZ Farmers Livestock (NZFL) ran the on-farm hybrid auction supported by both on-line and on-farm bidding capability.
The sale saw a 100% clearance at prices reflecting the quality herd with much online bidding particularly for the top end of the herd.
More than 50 farmers around New Zealand registered to bid in the auction with more than 80 attending in person. Around 30% of bids were made on-line and 20% of the lots (mainly top end) were purchased by on-line buyers.
Top prices achieved were – Cow $9,600, heifer $6,600 and yearling $6,100. The average cow price was $1,975.
Shaun Bicknell said the prices were bang on with he had hoped for and the online bidding fuelled the sale – adding a degree of competition.
“We’re very happy, the sale couldn’t have gone better under the circumstances. NZ Farmers Livestock were fantastic – now it’s just a matter of getting the stock (whose origins go back to Shaun’s grandfather) off the farm and on to their new homes,” Bicknell said.
NZFL general manager, Bill Sweeney said the hybrid auction platform was developed to meet urgent farmer need under COVID-19.
“But it is clear that it will change the game for the whole range of on-farm livestock selling and I am confident more farmers will take it up. On-line adds buying power to livestock auctions and will suit a growing number of buyers. This is a powerful clearance sale tool, but it is also going to add demand to stud sales, and I am keen to take it there too.”
