Vendors maintaining control and purchaser convenience driving increasing popularity of bidr sale. 

A fully online auction of approximately 1200 South Island cattle in late November attracted firm values to achieve a strong clearance.

Mainly comprising steers and heifers across various breeds, plus a few bull calves, most of the cattle offered were from PGG Wrightson’s Otago and Southland clients, along with a handful from as far north as Ashburton.

PGG Wrightson South Island dairy sales manager Mark Cuttance said the sale, now in its fourth year, has gained momentum.

“Since 2021, when we first offered South Island cattle at a fully online sales event, the popularity of this auction has risen steadily. Last year we put up 450 animals, so even taking account of a more buoyant market, this year’s tally is another step up.

“Buying and selling cattle online is now generally accepted. After some initial reluctance, the industry has changed and grown. Many more farmers are now comfortable with the technology, and ready to embrace its benefits, placing online alongside saleyards and other means of transacting livestock.

“Only having to put their cattle on the truck once is a firm motivator for farmers. Reducing their environmental footprint and minimising the cost structure is a strong incentive,” he says.

PGG Wrightson North Otago area livestock manager Mark Yeates said the reach of bidr also offers benefits.

“This sale works well for farmers who want to maintain control of their stock. bidr has a big audience, both with the number of people registered to bid, and those watching online sales. That captive audience is increasing all the time. However, to make it work you need to utilise the platform properly, sorting and weighing animals on farm, so you can present an accurate description, along with photos and videos, to give purchasers a clear and objective picture of what they are buying.”

Shane King farms just outside Oamaru and has sold cattle through the online auction for the past three years, including several lines this year.

“We’ve sold a few different varieties of beefies over the years, though predominantly Angus steers. Each year we’ve been happy with results. I prefer the online platform as it’s relatively straightforward and hassle free. You pick your reserve, if it’s not met, animals are still grazing away in the paddock, none the wiser, meaning you don’t have to rush into your next decision, such as bringing them back home or taking a hit on your reserve.

“Usually, we achieve a clean sale through the auction, though sometimes we’ve had stock passed in. Even when that has happened, you’ve created a market and awareness of what you’re offering, and every year for us, after 24 hours everything has gone, with the reserve achieved.” he says.

On the evening of the sale 116 attended online, including 67 registered buyers, of whom 30 lodged bids. In total 47 lots were presented by 14 different vendors and 867 cattle sold via the auction. In the following days, with people watching the sale subsequently coming in for several of the lots that were initially passed in, the number of sales rose close to 80 per cent. 

Find out more about selling online with bidr today!