Web trading offers taste of the future
December, 2001
By John Burns
ONLY six of the 50 bulls offered in the British Simmental Cattle Societys groundbreaking internet sale changed
hands.
But society secretary Roger Trewhella still hailed the sale a worthwhile exercise that showed the potential of
technology and trading software he has developed.
“I think once buyers got wind that there would be a bull sale at Perth in February they decided to wait until then.
“Theres no doubt buyers do like to see a lot of bulls lined up so they can compare them.
“However, the internet-based system definitely helped buyers to shortlist bulls, and breeders were pleased they had
given it a try.”
The BSCS is now looking at using an internet-based system for promoting sales of batches of females, as well as
continuing to use it to support live auction sales of bulls, says Mr Trewhella.
Richard Webber, managing director of Shearwell Data, which set up the Simmental bull sale website, has been struck
by the difference in the cost of a live bull sale and the much lower cost of the internet-based sale.
In future, he predicts there will be at least five ways of selling breeding and slaughter stock – tender, forward
contract, live auction, web auction and interactive web and live auction.