Don Finnerty’s Cashmore Park verified SIL Nudie ewe lambs sold for $450 on AuctionsPlus.

AUCTIONSPLUS expects uptake of its new A+Bloodlines product to verify the genetic background of commercial sheep and cattle lots to increase this spring.

A+ Bloodlines is an industry-first product that officially connects commercial livestock listings to the stud genetics behind them, with sellers’ claims of bloodlines in their stock being verified by the respective stud from which rams or bulls were bought.

The product involves a drop-down bloodline selection in commercial assessments, replacing free-text entry; notification to studs when their genetics appear in a commercial listing; the ability for studs to verify those genetics directly on the AuctionsPlus app and a verified bloodline filter buyers can use to search listings and set notifications for specific genetics.

AuctionsPlus said the product gave stud producers and commercial vendors the tools to verify, protect and leverage quality genetics, while giving agents and buyers greater confidence and transparency in every transaction. A+ Bloodlines was developed over 18 months with input from studs, commercial vendors, agents and buyers across the industry.

AuctionsPlus business development manager Hugh Courts said up to date 16 sheep studs have had clients list and claim, with those studs actively verifying commercial lots that claimed use of their bloodlines.

“The onboarding process for A+ Bloodlines continues, with the initiative only a couple of weeks into its rollout.

“We’re expecting both the number of participating studs and verified lots to keep growing over the coming weeks as we move into spring,” he said.

South-west Victorian commercial Nudie sheep breeder Don Finnerty at Macarthur has sold two lines of joined and scanned-in-lamb Nudie ewe lambs on AuctionsPlus recently for $432 and $450 that were verified as Cashmore Park blood through A+Bloodlines.

He said the product is simple to access and starts with the vendor nominating the stud where rams or bulls were purchased. It definitely helps the sale of commercial stock bred from known stud genetics, he said.

“There’s a lot of people who are happy to put extra money into particular genetics.”

Mr Finnerty said the product helped potential buyers differentiate between sheep of varied composite background and those of proven self-replacing maternal genetics. Both ewe lots sold to the same buyer who was also aware Mr Finnerty had been on Cashmore Park Nudie genetics for nearly 20 years.

“It’s pretty attractive product for people who aren’t interested in wool.”

Bowyer & Livermore agent and Level 1 assessor Todd Clement in New South Wales has sold Mumblebone-verified Merino ewe lots on AuctionsPlus and he expected it would be “very big thing.”

Mr Courts said the product gave studs visibility and influence well beyond their immediate client base, reinforcing the strength of their breeding programs in real market conditions.

“Sellers benefit from stronger catalogues and increased buyer confidence, with verified genetics adding tangible commercial appeal at sale time.

“Agents are better equipped to tell the story behind the stock and market listings more effectively,” he said.

“For buyers, it creates a more informed and trusted purchasing environment, where genetics are verified and clear, and decisions can be made with greater certainty.”

Level 1 Assessor Tom Boyle said A+ Bloodlines added a new layer of credibility to commercial catalogues while recognising the vendors who invest in stud genetics.

“I believe A+ Bloodlines verification adds great value, not only by giving vendors the backing and recognition of the stud behind their genetics, but also by rewarding the ongoing support and loyalty they have shown to that stud.

“It provides buyers with greater confidence in the genetics on offer. It adds another level of credibility to the cattle, gives buyers greater confidence in what they’re purchasing, and ultimately improves the stock’s marketability,” Mr Boyle said.

Millah Murrah Angus principal Ross Thompson said the product addressed a long-standing gap in how genetics were represented in the commercial market.

“It ensures market premiums go where they should, instilling buyer confidence and rewarding vendors who invest in our program.

“At the same time, it sorts out tenuous or illegitimate claims,” he said.

“It is long overdue and a fantastic innovation for the industry,” Mr Thompson said.