Livestock Sales Go Live

DAIRY livestock sales entered a new era this week with the launch of an online tendering site similar to Trade-Me.

Allied Farmers launched its new site at Hawera, MyLiveStock.co.nz., the first of its kind in the country.

“My LiveStock gives sellers nationwide exposure for their stock, meaning they are more likely to get the best price.

“Importantly they get the support of an experienced livestock agent and trusted third party in Allied Farmers,” said Allied Farmers rural services general manager Philip Anstey.

A key feature of the site is livestock tendering, enabling placement of live bids on stock.

“Market demand for dairy stock has been high with prices rising to match the limited supply. MyLiveStock will develop a true market price for sellers, with the wider reach of the internet site not restricting prices to agent and company networks,” said Mr Anstey.

“It also works for buyers who register on the site. They will have more choice and access to animal details including LIC test reports for selected listings,” he said.

The on-line listings mean buyers will be able to tailor their searches to their specific stock and price preferences. Then with bids updated in real time, they can receive progress reports on the tender by way of text message and email, and follow the process as it happens.

Allied Farmers agents help sellers with the listing, negotiation and after-sale process. Sellers can choose from tender, sole marketing agency or open listing

Mr Anstey says the service is unique to New Zealand for its national coverage and the support and experience of Allied Farmers Livestock network of agents.

“There’s a lot of excitement in our team with the development of this service. We think farmers are ready for a stock trading service that opens the field and really puts the power back in the hands of buyers and sellers.

Allied Farmers Taranaki Livestock Manager Steven Sutton says there is a growing number of technology savvy farmers using the internet for stock management, complementing their practical farm management skills.

“More than 80% of dairy farmers are connected to the internet and at least 30% have broadband access.

“We are breaking into new ground. There is a fair bit of hype in the market, so people are wary of where values are going. The site will allow the purchaser to closely monitor the market. The tenders run for a defined period set by the seller with all bids binding, so there is no false bidding” he said.

Mr Sutton says Allied Farmers has already sold four times the number of herds to the South Island for delivery for next season compared to last year.

“The demand is such that local Taranaki buyers will need to move soon as a number normally wait until after Christmas to enter the market,” he said.

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(c) 2007 Daily News; New Plymouth, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.