Going nowhere

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By Dwain Duxson

Going nowhere -- We have all heard predictions that Saleyards will be superseded by direct to the works, Auctionplus and the like. But they are still around because they work, especially in a downward or lower market that we are experiencing now.

With the Salesyards, the market sets the price (I mean, if you are not happy, you can take them home, but not many do), and in these times, you need some mechanism to clear Stock. Farmers hate a downward market, but you need a place where you have to meet the market (so to speak).

That's why Auctionsplus struggles when prices retreat because you haven't got the market setting the price. You have Agents and Sellers setting the reserves, and when a market is coming off quickly, it's mighty hard to get the reserves right.

That's not a pot on Auctionsplus or the Agents. It's their job to try to get the best result for their customer. In any market, selling diversity is necessary, and all the above-mentioned stakeholders have their place in the Livestock industry. Saleyards are going nowhere.

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