A revolution in the way cattle can be purchased was realised earlier this week at the Big Country Brahman Sale with live online interactive bidding made available for the first time at an Australian livestock sale.
Elite Livestock Auctions is the vision of managing director, Chris Norris, who is no stranger to the auction profession both domestically and internationally.
“We utilise the latest online technology allowing potential buyers to have live simulcast bidding at an auction,” Mr Norris said.
“The bidding portal for buyers and sellers will be known as ‘Stock Live’, which will literally open up the auction up to anyone,” he said.
Big Country sale coordinator Ken McCaffrey said online bidding service provided by Elite Livestock Auctions worked very well during the sale.
“It offered a wonderful service for people wishing to bid that weren’t able to attend. We’re pleased that the system worked so well and proud to be the first sale in Australia to use it, it’s definitely something we’ll continue using at Big Country and other sales.”
Mark Bogle from Sky Brahmans at Dingo made the first ever winning bid in Australia using the online system.
He purchased Lot 42 The Rivers 352 for $3500, and said he had no problem using the system.
“It’s very user friendly,it was pretty exciting to be able to follow and take part in the bidding action while not being there in person,” Mr Bogle said.
Later in the day Kearin and Beth Streeter, Palmvale Red Brahmans, Marlborough, used the system to purchase Lot 58 Lanes Creek Red Radium 1550 for $25,000.
Mr Norris said With the 3G, 4G and NBN networks rolled out across the country, we must embrace the advancement in technology now or get left behind.
“The key to a successful auction when using ‘Stock Live’ is that vendors supply as much information as possible several weeks prior to the event. This in turn will allow all potential buyers to view everything at the click of a button.
In addition to providing the online bidding portal, Elite Livestock Auctions has a fully interactive online catalogue where sellers, buyers and agents can view unlimited images, video, links to Breedplan figures, and links to each individual vendors website.
The software has the capability of broadcasting an auction in “real time” with sound and interactive bidding. The function of video streaming is also available depending on the sale location and the buyer’s individual internet connection.
Mr Norris has dreamt of taking selling livestock to the next level in Australia for several years, and has done extensive research of the auction industry around the world.
At only 33 years of age, he has worked for some of the world’s leading auction companies, selling everything from livestock, trucks, machinery, and heavy equipment, to thoroughbred horses, in places as far afield as South Africa, Canada, United States and Asia, but his passion has always been livestock.
“Buyers can access the sale day action using their computer, IPad, and now IPhone, with our newly launched App (which can be downloaded at the App Store).
“Stock Live is user friendly, and potential buyers now have no excuse if they are unable to attend a sale.”
