Farming Talk: Farmers click on to website for livestock
Selling clothes and electronics on eBay is now second nature to most, but electronic trading is taking a novel turn, with the launch of online auctions for cattle and sheep.
From June 6 farmers have been able to browse the listings for the flock of sheep or cow of their choice, and it's not just vital statistics such as age, weight and breed on offer. Buyers are also able to see each animal's health records, its passport, and even a menu of what it eats – as well as photos and video clips showing it off to its best advantage.
The pioneering creators of "Sell My Livestock" (www.sellmylivestock.co.uk) say that while the quirky idea is capturing the imagination of farmers around the country, with beef prices currently in freefall, the intention behind it is far from fluffy.
"Farmers needed new options to improve their income, manage welfare and make more informed decisions," said Hampshire beef producer Dan Luff, who came up with the idea two years ago while struggling to get full market value for his animals.
"We've been relying on auction marts, where animals are sold in a ring, for hundreds of years now to set prices for the industry. It's a tried and tested method but it does have its shortfalls.
"The other option is to sell direct, but this always raises questions over how the price is set. Sell My Livestock offers the long-awaited alternative many farmers have been holding out for."
Mr Luff's business partner, entrepreneurial web designer Jamie McInnes, says that anyone who uses eBay will realise the benefits of having access to a wider market.
"And that's what we're trying to achieve here – connecting more livestock buyers and sellers around the country, around the clock, and in a way that helps farmers achieve the true value they deserve while minimising time, exposure to disease, and stress on animals and their owners," he said.
Users will be familiar with much of the way Sell My Livestock operates – for example, the transaction remains between the buyer and seller to keep commission rates low.
"We also recognised early on in the development process that people want to buy from and sell to those they can trust, so we've adopted the 'star' rating system to reward accuracy of description and ease of transaction," said Mr McInnes.
"As well as this, we have safeguards in place to protect those on both sides of the transaction – profiles can be lodged for both buyers and sellers in advance, so you know who you are dealing with, and only those who are registered livestock keepers can trade – meaning there's no chance of someone from a flat in London accidentally buying a dozen ewes."
