Competition indicated with higher numbers and hybrid livestreamed sales becoming more prevalent.

This year’s two year old bull sale season is now under way. After last year’s challenges around the pandemic and organising sales directly out of lockdown, there is keen anticipation about how this season will progress.

However, it does have its challenges, not least in the fact that our livestock market has softened on previous years, returning to approximately where we were two years ago. Although average sale prices may not differ much from last year, pricing at the top end of the market, for commercial bulls that would have previously reached $15,000 to $20,000, may be down from that level.

With more studs putting through higher numbers of stock while commercial herds are reducing, coupled with the industry’s external challenges, particularly around emerging environmental policy, supply is likely to exceed demand this year. Farmers with the right genetics, improved feed quality and an appropriate farm management plan will increase profits for sheep and beef. 

Increasingly, this year’s sales will be hybrid live streamed events via bidr®: simultaneously on farm and online and therefore open to a nationwide gallery of buyers. Last year we ran a bidr® hybrid sale at 49 two year old bull sales: this year we are simultaneously onsite and online at 73 sales, pushing competition further.

That said, quality genetics remain highly sought after and those who have bred the best bulls will be well rewarded by the market as buyers are prepared to invest in a product they know will generate good returns.

Callum Stewart, PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager