Selling Sheep by Nicole

Walking into a livestock auction for the first time was a little overwhelming. The process of selling sheep was not as straightforward as I had anticipated. Upon entering, I was greeted by the vibrant energy of the auction yard, where rows of pens housed sheep of various breeds and sizes. Some pens were filled, while a majority of them remained empty. Numerous buyers and workers moved around the yard, and I was fortunate enough to speak with some of them to gain a better understanding of how these events operate.

The first person I spoke with was a man named Neil. He was an older gentleman who had previously worked as a stock agent. Neil explained the selling process and how to participate in buying at this location. He informed me about the need to register at the auction house, where participants are assigned a bidding number that enables them to take part in the bidding process. 

I also had a conversation with a farmer named Alex, who was there to purchase stock for his farm. He explained that farmers often work through agents to buy and sell livestock. Alex also mentioned a complimentary truck system in Ellesmere that helps transport stock from one location to another. He shared that he works on his family farm and had once attended Lincoln University, where we are currently staying. It was fascinating to connect with him on a personal level since we shared that common experience.

Additionally, we spoke with two other individuals, Jason and Tom, who shared their insights on how interest in livestock auctions has increased since COVID-19. They provided perspectives on the challenges of selling sheep, including factors such as weather conditions, fluctuating demand, and product availability. They noted that the auction yard was unusually empty for this time of year. This was attributed to the recent rainfall, which had led to increased pasture growth. Typically, farmers are driven to sell livestock during this time due to a lack of feed, but the rainfall meant that many did not need to sell their animals yet. 

Beyond the transactions and logistics, it became clear that auctions are also spaces where relationships are built and knowledge is shared. This experience helped me begin to understand how interconnected the roles of farmers, agents, and transporters are in ensuring the success of each auction.

Students talking to a stock agent