Early August Southland sales meet nationwide market and achieve full clearances, though indicate buyers are watching the dollars. 

Two recent online sales of Southland velveting hinds showed the market has a reasonable appetite and is responding well to new sires.

On the outskirts of Riversdale, Altrive Red Deer’s sixth annual in-fawn hind sale offered 50 hinds via a fully online bidr auction, including a selection from their embryo transfer programme. Achieving a full clearance and a top price of $3050, Andy Elder was pleased with the sale.

“As there are plenty of hinds on the market, we were happy to get them all sold, and happy with the average sale price of $1130. bidr works well for us. People can sit down with the catalogue, in their own time, and participate in the sale from home. We attract a wide audience. While our hinds are proven, with three or four new sires added to the catalogue this year, those stood out, attracting plenty of interest from the buyers, which was another plus for us,” he says.

Arawata Deer Farm, near Edendale, offered 21 rising two-year and ten rising three-year hinds, which sold at an average of $858, selling all lots either at or directly after the auction. John Somerville said his second calvers were well received.

“Buyers are becoming more discerning. People want specific hinds that will enhance their herd. bidr is an effective way to buy and sell animals at this time of the year. Buyers are now comfortable to bid looking at their screens, and the process works well.”

With a combined total of 118 attendees, 66 registered buyers and 27 bidders across the two early August sales, bidding came from far and wide, ranging from Hamilton to Invercargill.

Overseeing both Altrive and Arawata sales, PGG Wrightson deer specialist Ben Beadle noted some caution in the market.

“Although there is interest, buyers are watching the dollars and only going to a certain value. People are looking for new combinations to introduce to their genetics, and there is more interest in the new sires.

“In the depths of a South Island winter, bidr is the perfect way for vendors and agents to reach a nationwide buying audience with these top quality breeding hinds. This opens the door for our clients who are selling to have a go at genetics, rather than trying to individually find someone who will buy their stock. bidr makes it easier for anyone to have a go, opening up a much broader market.”

View Altrive Deer Farm website here. 

View Arawata Deer Farm wesbite here.