Online Sheep And Beef Trading

Allied Farmers Launches Online Sheep And Beef Trading

Rural services firm Allied Farmers has launched a sheep and beef listing service on its MyLiveStock.co.nz site, complementing its existing online dairy sales operation.

Adding a sheep and beef listing service comes at a time of buoyant sheep prices. Promoting stock sales online provides market reach, helping to get a good price, whilst buyers get the stock they need – all in one online location.

Since its launch 18 months ago, MyLiveStock.co.nz has helped generate over $30 million in dairy sales and created a significant network of registered members at the same time.

Paul Macfie, Group Chief Executive of Allied Farmers, said “With MyLiveStock, Allied Farmers really led the way as the first significant rural services firm to take livestock trading online. Other firms have since followed our online move, recognising the customer’s need for change in our industry.

“We had always planned to add a sheep and beef listing service to the site but we first wanted to learn how farmers preferred to use the internet for stock trading. The 18 months experience we have had with dairy on MyLiveStock has been invaluable for that. As a result, we are now better equipped to manage customer needs, including ensuring they have access to a livestock agent for information or advice, a feature that was seen as adding significant value.”

Although unique when launched for dairy, the online tendering system that allows live bids is not being offered for sheep and beef trades.

“What we learnt from tendering was that buyers still wanted to ‘touch and see’ the stock and, given the volume of money involved, the majority were understandably less inclined to place large bids.”

A ‘from the field’ market report, summarising stock sales from yards Allied Farmers operate in has also been added.

“It is the best source for accurate data to help farmers know current stock value.”

Registered members will also be prompted when stock of a certain class become available, saving them time looking for the stock they want.

“Given the quick turnover in sheep and beef stock we expect listings to sell quickly. Using the breadth of our agent and member network should ensure quick and efficient sales, which is what farmers tell us they customers want,” Paul Macfie said.

ENDS

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