THIRTEEN Limousin studs from three states are getting ready to participate in the first online only Limousin National Show and Sale on May 1, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual multi-vendor event, usually held at Wodonga, brings together the breed's leading studs, and this year will be no exception, with 60 top quality lots on offer.
The sale catalogue includes 21 bulls, 31 stud females, seven embryo packages and a pick of the crop calf, with bidding available via the AuctionsPlus online platform.
Photos and videos of all the sale lots will be available online for prospective buyers, and all cattle on offer will be independently vet-inspected and backed by the Limousin Assurance Program.
Buyers will also be able to view results of a virtual show, which is being held prior to the sale event.
The national sale committee had partnered with The Global Cattle Market, which hosts the annual Champion of the World competition, to allow for an online judging platform this year through LimousinBreeder.net, replacing the regular live judging program.
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"Cattle will be assessed by a panel of judges and the use of the online platform allows the opportunity to also include an international judge to the panel," sale committee member Hayden Green said.
On hand to judge this year are Queensland stud producers Glen Waldron, Elite Cattle Company Charolais and Simmentals, and Corey Evans, Jen-Daview Limousins, along with Canadian breeder Jackie Payne, Greenwood Limousins.
"The move to the online platform will allow breeders and cattle enthusiasts across Australia and around the world to view and engage with the Limousin National and help create more interest in the sale this year which in the past has been live-streamed to audiences which has proved very popular," Mr Green said.
The online judging program will begin on Sunday, April 19, with one classed to be judged each day leading up to the sale, and final champions to be announced during the week of the sale on May 1.
"Being able to bring this year's Limousin National Show and Sale to a global audience through the use of the online platforms will help to start to connect Limousin breeders around the world as the Australian Limousin Breeders Society is set to host the International Limousin Congress in 2022," Mr Green said.
Last year's sale reached a high of $28,000 for 20-month-old senior champion bull Flemington Next Level.
Eleven senior bulls averaged $6909 and eight junior bulls averaged $4937. Females topped at $9000 and sold to an average of $5206.