The number and profile of potential bidders at an auction is the Achilles’ heel of the auction system. The escalating costs of travel and accommodation make it all the more difficult. A n exciting new innovation from SA Livestock Exchange CC is sure to revolutionise the way livestock is traded.
The electronic auction site www.salex.co.za is an attractive option to the classic auction. While the principles aren’t new – electronic auctions in grain and other commodities have been around for some time – as far as we could establish, this is the first serious system of its kind for livestock in this country. How it works Salex.co.za could move the traditional livestock auction yard into a virtual live marketplace. The platform operates 24/7, matching buyers and sellers and offering immediate sales of livestock via auction or fixed-price selling facilities. There are many advantages to buying animals via the internet.
Their condition is maintained by reducing exposure to disease, and handling-related stress as there isn’t the need to move animals to and from auction venues. This increases the convenience of selling livestock, reduces transport and accommodation costs and opens up many new business opportunities. Savings on transport and accommodation are an enormous advantage in light of current increases in fuel and other transport-related costs.
Producers and retailers in the industry gain more exposure for their product, while buyers can select from a far broader purchasing base. Sellers gain a wide access to the market by using the internet, the largest communications network in the world, to their advantage. Communication and networking nother innovative solution is the opportunity for cattle farmers to create their own web addresses and websites (for example, http://tugelabrafords.salex.co.za) to assist in marketing and exposure. This allows the user to profile their operation, post special announcements, display images and allow visitors to the site to post messages.
This social networking facility is intended to improve communication between buyers and sellers and further improve understanding of the producers’ operations. Good for the industry The benefits of Salex.co.za are obvious – convenience, time-efficiency, improved profitability, cost savings, access to larger potential markets, lower transport and accommodation costs, decreased stress on the animals and reduced weight loss.
The business vision is to increase predictability and profitability for all livestock producers through an innovative, efficient and secure trading environment. huge benefit for the livestock producers is that they’ll know what they’re getting for their product before it leaves the farm. Salex.co.za offers very competitive commission fees in return for a nominal monthly membership. – Chris Nel Contact Auriel Mitchley on (011) 889 0796 or e-mail [email protected]. |fw
