Buying Cattle Question

InchicoreDude

I have a question for those of you who buy cattle.

Would you buy an animal that you have only seen a video of (It would be a recent up to date video of course). Or Would it only be possible to judge the value of an animal by seeing the animal in your presence?

Juniorhurler

No way.
The animal could be riddled with lice, ringworm etc. and you wouldn't see it on the video. You would also find it hard to judge any animal off a video re. size etc.
Would you buy a car from a video?

pakalasa

Would agree with above. Most farmers even spend a good while looking at the animal before considering buying or not. Most even find the time in the ring too short and prefer to give them the eye over in the the pens beforehand. Having looked at videos on donedeal etc, they are much better than just photos, but no substitute for the real thing.

Are you considering on-line selling or something? I often wondered if foreign buyers of weanlings, would be happy to buy over the internet like this.:cool:

Tipp Man

absolutely no chance we'd buy from a video or photos

bogman_bass

but seeing a video might let you know if he is worth going for a better look.

Buying from a video alone though would be madness

InchicoreDude

Would you buy a car from a video?

No, But I know people who have

Are you considering on-line selling or something? I often wondered if foreign buyers of weanlings, would be happy to buy over the internet like this

No, a project like that would be out of my scope. I am just wondering why farmers have to actually be in the presence of an animal to buy it - What factors can you get from seeing an animal that would influence you to buy it that you cannot get from a video?

The animal could be riddled with lice, ringworm

Is this common in marts? I would have thought that such an animal would not be allowed enter a mart. Assume that the animal doesnt have lice or ringworm (Or something similiar), is there anything else that would prevent you from buying just from seeing a video?

Bizzum

Several things would stop me,
The animals on the video may not be the animals that arrive when you buy them.
You could not accurately know the weight via video.
Cattle look bigger in artificial light and tight surroundings.
Video would tell you very little about locomotion unless very well done.
Dunno would temperament show up on video.

Bogman bass said the truth- It would let you know if its worth going for a look.

Tipp Man

InchicoreDude wrote: »

Is this common in marts? I would have thought that such an animal would not be allowed enter a mart. Assume that the animal doesnt have lice or ringworm (Or something similiar), is there anything else that would prevent you from buying just from seeing a video?

You can't get a feel for an animal on a video. Sure you can see his shape etc but there is much to it that than. Is he a growthy animal? Whats the potential like? Does he look overfed or half starved? Is his coat too dry/too oily, is he castrated properly etc etc etc There are a million and one things that you need to look for when buying a bullock

You need to see the animal in person to get the feel for him

Ard_MC

I didnt buy cattle but I did buy pedigree ewes of the web, couldnt be happier with them. I researched their pedigree, spoke to the breeder and to the breeder of some of the back pedigree, I liked what I saw and read and heard so took the chance!

The ewes were at the other end of the country from me, so getting to see them wasnt easy and was afraid they would get sold on me...

InchicoreDude

I didnt buy cattle but I did buy pedigree ewes of the web, couldnt be happier with them. I researched their pedigree, spoke to the breeder and to the breeder of some of the back pedigree, I liked what I saw and read and heard so took the chance!

The ewes were at the other end of the country from me, so getting to see them wasnt easy and was afraid they would get sold on me...

Can I ask how much you spent approximately on these ewes? (I dont want to know specific figures but would like to know how much some people would be willing to spend on livestock they havent seen in person).

Would you buy like this again?
Would you only buy pedigree livestock like this?

Juniorhurler

InchicoreDude wrote: »

Can I ask how much you spent approximately on these ewes? (I dont want to know specific figures but would like to know how much some people would be willing to spend on livestock they havent seen in person).

Would you buy like this again?
Would you only buy pedigree livestock like this?

You sound like a man setting up a cattle buying website. You will have a job competing with pedigreecattle.ie as they are well established in the pedigree sales at least.

InchicoreDude

You sound like a man setting up a cattle buying website. You will have a job competing with pedigreecattle.ie as they are well established in the pedigree sales at least.

Not at all. I have neither the cattle or technology knowledge to do such a thing. I am just curious.