Auction v Deadweight

[kfpben]

I prefer live on principle- keeps the buyers straight(er) and an important hub for the rural community. When I started out farming I found it useful to compare my stock to other farmers’ animals and have stuck with it since then.

I use four different markets though for 3 out of four I realistically need to send a lorry load of sheep to make it worthwhile.

My local market seems to have quietened down a bit on sheep but store cattle numbers are really flying which is great to see.

 

[Woolless]

The fact is that livestock processing is falling into fewer and fewer hands. This makes it easier for those firms to keep prices low. I think we are seeing this with cattle now and ask the pig farmers how that finishes up.

But the mart is not a panacea either. Great if you've got Beltex x Texel lambs to sell but can be hit and miss for more run of the mill stock, even worse if they are something out of the ordinary. Multiple accounts, auctioneers too cosy with buyers (but of course paid by vendors), issues with subsequently condemned stock etc. However, my impression is that they played fair when it was 'drop and go' and this should be the template going forward, possibly helped by the fact that supply and demand will swing in our favour.

 

[bobk]

The fact is that livestock processing is falling into fewer and fewer hands. This makes it easier for those firms to keep prices low. I think we are seeing this with cattle now and ask the pig farmers how that finishes up.

But the mart is not a panacea either. Great if you've got Beltex x Texel lambs to sell but can be hit and miss for more run of the mill stock, even worse if they are something out of the ordinary. Multiple accounts, auctioneers too cosy with buyers (but of course paid by vendors), issues with subsequently condemned stock etc. However, my impression is that they played fair when it was 'drop and go' and this should be the template going forward, possibly helped by the fact that supply and demand will swing in our favour.

Where there's a hook there's a crook

 

[thorpe]

i yoused to be a commited live seller, but got fed up with the ring around the ring. dead only now and i dont know where i found the time to stand about at mkt for half a day, having got em there in good time only to be sold late on thats besides the wrong weights and prices being booked!

 

[Spade]

The fact is that livestock processing is falling into fewer and fewer hands. This makes it easier for those firms to keep prices low. I think we are seeing this with cattle now and ask the pig farmers how that finishes up.

But the mart is not a panacea either. Great if you've got Beltex x Texel lambs to sell but can be hit and miss for more run of the mill stock, even worse if they are something out of the ordinary. Multiple accounts, auctioneers too cosy with buyers (but of course paid by vendors), issues with subsequently condemned stock etc. However, my impression is that they played fair when it was 'drop and go' and this should be the template going forward, possibly helped by the fact that supply and demand will swing in our favour.

Auctioneers sometimes send stock on deadweight that have been through the ring to keep prices higher for vendors and to encourage increased stock numbers

 

[Fergieman]

@Hilly Will be along shortly.

Linden foods has been taken over by ABP and isn't the same since. Got told they no longer wanted dairy bred cattle then 2 weeks later they wanted them again. Sorry but they are going elsewhere now without the discount for having a dairy breed on the passport regardless of grade.

 

[Drillman]

I’ve done both and although deadweight is ok I find you gotta be very careful that the animal ticks all the boxes regarding weight and age etc as you get hammered if there even a small amount out.

auctions are a lot more forgiving I find to age and size of cattle.

 

[bobk]

I’ve done both and although deadweight is ok I find you gotta be very careful that the animal ticks all the boxes regarding weight and age etc as you get hammered if there even a small amount out.

auctions are a lot more forgiving I find to age and size of cattle.

Out of spec stock should always go live

 

[Hilly]

@Hilly Will be along shortly.

Linden foods has been taken over by ABP and isn't the same since. Got told they no longer wanted dairy bred cattle then 2 weeks later they wanted them again. Sorry but they are going elsewhere now without the discount for having a dairy breed on the passport regardless of grade.

I’ve given up , you can lead a horse to water ….

 

[Bury the Trash]

You don’t have to take them home, but the auctioneers need to know that you have the option to do so.

i know the price i'm going to get at a particular abattoir before i go , i don't have to take them there.

In any case These days and for quite a while I use/have used a particular company that gets different abattoir prices /wants and i get texted every week and can choose where i go .

yes it costs a small fee but that also includes bad debt insurance and thats also important for me .

edit its also important for me to know where and when it will be killed

 

[Drillman]

Oh the other reason I prefer auction is the money is BACs into our account within 48hrs and know what we’re gonna get by email within minutes of the hammer going down

deadweight is 14 days payment. And often several days before the figures find there way to us.

 

[thorpe]

Oh the other reason I prefer auction is the money is BACs into our account within 48hrs and know what we’re gonna get by email within minutes of the hammer going down

deadweight is 14 days payment. And often several days before the figures find there way to us.

you dont send em to woodheads then.

 

[Drillman]

you dont send em to woodheads then.

Carnaby

 

[Bury the Trash]

another reason i like deadweight is every lamb ear tag no. is on the kill sheet now what we do with eid is so useful .

i also get info like fluke , and other health problems , historic yes but still very useful for knowing whats going on with those from the same lots still on farm.

 

[Woolless]

Where there's a hook there's a crook

I think that's a bit harsh, if you're talking fiddling on weights, grades, condemnations etc. is concerned, although of course it can happen. It's the cartel aspect I find most worrying.

 

[toquark]

i know the price i'm going to get at a particular abattoir before i go , i don't have to take them there.

In any case These days and for quite a while I use/have used a particular company that gets different abattoir prices /wants and i get texted every week and can choose where i go .

yes it costs a small fee but that also includes bad debt insurance and thats also important for me .

edit its also important for me to know where and when it will be killed

Fair enough, whatever works for you. I use both but appreciate they both have their merits and pitfalls.

I also like the mart and what it brings to the town, and I’m happy to support it.

 

[BRBX]

Definite place for both , use mostly dead , always nice to see the kill sheet to know what your specs are in black and white and know what youve done right/wrong .

 

[casper74]

Definite place for both , use mostly dead , always nice to see the kill sheet to know what your specs are in black and white and know what youve done right/wrong .

You can get feedback on your stock from liveweight buyers as well if you ask,

 

[thorpe]

Definite place for both , use mostly dead , always nice to see the kill sheet to know what your specs are in black and white and know what youve done right/wrong .

me to , they must short of staff not had a condemed offal for ages!

 

[kiwi pom]

Oh the other reason I prefer auction is the money is BACs into our account within 48hrs and know what we’re gonna get by email within minutes of the hammer going down

Unless you sold at Beeston the week Wright Marshall went pop