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4 February 2025
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Over the Farm Gate
Livestock
Market Commentary

After initial skepticism, North Canterbury farmer becomes bidr fan

Making the most of New Zealand's virtual saleyard, as both a vendor and a purchaser, taking advantage of nationwide reach, convenience and flexibility. 

Although at first he didn’t believe it would work, a North Canterbury sheep and beef farmer is now a committed user and keen advocate of bidr, New Zealand’s online livestock sales platform.

Back in 2019 when Glenn Peddie, his PGG Wrightson livestock rep, explained how bidr operates, Paul Crawford, who farms on 480 hectares at Woodstock, Oxford, was not sold.

“I thought: ‘This will never work.’ I’m not an IT guy and I couldn’t see how the technology and logistics would succeed. In the end, I gave it a go anyway,” says Paul.

Hosting one of the first South Island bidr events soon after it launched nationwide, Paul held a ewe dispersal on the platform in 2019. It went well, and he has gone back for more, bringing bidr on board each year for his annual on farm spring yearling cattle.

“It gives more buying power than the saleyards."
“Above and beyond the stock you will sell on the day, it’s an effective way of advertising. When you put photos of your stock up, people don’t have to leave home to see what they’re like. It’s much better value than conventional advertising,” he says.

Reaching new clients is only part of the story. Paul strongly favours the convenience and animal welfare benefits of trading online.

“It’s marvellous. If people need a few days before delivery, you can turn the stock out in the paddock again and load them up when your buyer is ready,” he says.

Online buyers typically account for 10 to 20 per cent of the bidding at the Crawford sales, which regularly attract North Island buyers. At the 2024 sale 45 per cent of the 450 cattle he sold went to five of 18 registered online buyers, while the sale attracted a further 58 online viewers.

“The bidr technical support is always good and professional, working behind the scenes, with no interruptions,” says Paul.

As well as selling online, he’s also now a committed convert to buying via bidr.

“I’ve bought a few deer recently. You don’t have to travel down south for the day. You can sit there, watch the sale and bid, then go out and carry on with the farm.

“I’ve used it to buy deer, calves and weaned beef steers, as well as rams and bulls. You know what you are buying. It’s easy. I’ve even heard of some farmers sitting in the pub and buying online with bidr.

“Glen talked us into it, and we’ve never looked back. These days we wouldn’t have a sale without it,” Paul says. 

If you're interested in selling or buying on bidr, you can find out more and sign up here.
 

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