Local Merino Growers Lead The On-Line Revolution
A new website, developed by the Canterbury Merino Association in conjunction with Merino New Zealand, is poised to streamline the sale and purchase of stud and commercial stock.
Featuring an easily searchable database of members¹ properties, with details of stud and commercial stock available for sale, the new website has implications for the merino industry on a national basis. Canterbury farmer Hamish Ensor, who runs 4,000 super fine merino sheep on his Rakaia Gorge property, says the new website is an exciting opportunity for members, buyers, sellers and agents.
His comments are echoed by Canterbury Merino Association chairman Brian Hansen, who sees the website as the ideal way to combat the problems of arranging stock sales in such a large region. ³With Canterbury being so large, organising a sale is a logistical nightmare. Last year¹s Methven sale was cancelled simply because it was too difficult to get enough stock to the yards to make it a viable event,² he says.
³The development of this web presence means our members can update their information as often as they wish, meaning potential buyers and stock agents can access the most up-to-date information possible through the site.
³Stock agents will find the search service useful when they are sourcing stock for clients, while our members will benefit from having details of their sale stock available to anyone with internet access 24 hours a day, seven days a week,² Brian Hansen adds.
³We believe this site has the potential to be broadened for the entire New Zealand merino industry. A computer is now widely recognised as one of today¹s important farm management tools, and many farmers are now using their computers, and the internet, on a regular basis.²
Located at
At the bottom of each
member¹s page is a section detailing stock for sale, broken
down into rams, ewes, wethers, hoggets, two tooths, etc.
Further detail on bloodline and micron count is also
included, along with the number of each available for
sale. Members can choose to add contact details for their
stock agent, allowing any potential buyers to easily
identify who they should deal with in relation to the
stock. The website also features a search function which
allows potential buyers to search any of the criteria. ³For
example, someone wanting to buy 50 ewes of 20 micron could
enter these criteria into the search engine, and would then
receive a list of all properties which had stock available
matching those characteristics,² Brian Hansen says. Due to
be launched to the public at the Canterbury Show, the new
website has been built by Christchurch-based company Imagic,
with core funding from Merino New Zealand. It is anticipated
that the website will eventually become self-sustaining,
with advertising revenue covering running costs. At the
annual meeting and conference this year, Merino New Zealand
chief executive John Brakenridge outlined the need for the
industry to harness technology and make it work for
growers. David Wilson, Secretary of the Canterbury Merino
Association, says that the opportunity presented by the
newly-developed website is one Canterbury merino growers and
buyers should grasp with both hands. ³This is the first
stage of what we hope will be an ongoing process of using
new technology to enhance on-farm performance and maximise
income for our members.² For more information, contact:
Brian Hansen David Wilson Chairman Secretary
Canterbury Merino Assn. Canterbury Merino Assn. Ph:
03-314-4258 Ph: 03-347-8483