Coronavirus: Livestock saleyards bustling after weeks of silence

Social distancing when sorting cattle at the Frankton saleyard.
Social distancing when sorting cattle at the Frankton saleyard. Photo credit: Supplied

After weeks of silence under the COVID-19 lockdown, livestock is starting to return to the country's saleyards.

Virtual saleyards have been operating under level 4 restrictions, however the move to level 3 has seen a hybrid of in-yard bidding, along with on-line bidding.

The restart of NZ Farmers Livestock auctions saw the Frankton Livestock Saleyard in Hamilton back up and running with live on-line auctions followed by Stratford a day later

NZ Farmers Livestock general manager Bill Sweeney said both the Frankton and Stratford sales were very successful with both in-yard and on-line bidders competing for stock in a seamless, real-time manner.

"The safety of everyone involved in livestock sales is a constant focus and we devoted a huge amount of time over several weeks ensuring COVID-19 safety for all participants. "Having proven that the Level 3 COVID-19 safety arrangements we developed are keeping people safe, NZ Farmers Livestock is now working to bring this capability to other livestock saleyards, and scheduling on-farm sales using the hybrid bidding options," said Sweeney.

There was a very high clearance of the stock on sale at Frankton and prices were good in what had become a very uncertain market, he said.

Buyers, vendors and agents observing the required social spacing at Wednesday's Frankton livestock sales.
Buyers, vendors and agents observing the required social spacing at Wednesday's Frankton livestock sales. Photo credit: Supplied

"This performance and level of successful sale completion reinforces the importance of saleyard and on-farm auctions for farmers, particularly when compared to the relatively poor results from the on-line only alternative platforms."

Sweeney said a huge team effort brought together the technical capability to support real auctions in NZ with on-line bidding capability at an important time for the livestock sales.

"The need for a vibrant hybrid auction system has never been so critical with farmers emerging from drought and going into winter.

"This restart under Level 3 has come in the nick of time for a lot of dairy farmers, with many still needing to sell part or whole dairy herds before the June changeover and start of the 2020/2021 season."

NZ Farmers Livestock is a New Zealand owned subsidiary of Allied Farmers.