Walgett livestock agent Chris Clemson is in a class of his own – because he is one of Australia’s longest serving AuctionsPlus Level 1 assessor.
And he, and Russell Hiscox – from Clemson Hiscox, were the first people Te Mania Angus turned to when they moved their Northern Spring Bull Sale to Walgett 15 years ago.
Te Mania Angus director Hamish McFarlane said Chris was one of the first assessors in the country to hit 30 years and that success has been reflected in a series of Clemson Hiscox awards as the top selling agency in Australia – in both cattle and sheep.
Hamish said the partnership with Chris and Russell – Clemson-Hiscox – had been pivotal in establishing the Te Mania Angus bull sale, which will be held at the Walgett saleyards at 11.30 on August 10.
“Chris was one of the first livestock specialists to realise options such as AuctionsPlus were going to be the future of livestock marketing as the world moved into the digital era and it is that kind of vision and willingness to try new things that have made Chris and his business so strong,” Hamish added.
“When you want the best results; you need to work with people who are leaders in their industry. And when it comes to running sales interfaced with AuctionsPlus no-one holds a candle to these guys,” he said.
Chris played down his personal track record, saying “I saw a mate of mine clocked up his 30 years the other day, so there are a few of us getting up there”.
“No question AuctionsPlus has been good for our business; but it has also been good for the whole industry as vendors, for example, don’t have to ship big licks of livestock around; and then ship them again after a sale,” he said.
“Up here we are mostly talking B-doubles, not the back of a ute and trailer, so for a cattle vendor that can be a saving of as much as $50-$60 a head.”
Chris said he saw the Te Mania Angus annual bull sale as a showcase event for Walgett and for Clemson Hiscox.
He said it is a powerful brand and has now established a rock-solid reputation for its cutting-edge genetics and especially its after-sale support and service.
“People very quickly learnt they could use AuctionsPlus to buy with confidence; and they have the same confidence when buying Te Mania Angus cattle; either online or at the saleyards,” Chris added.
“When I first got involved with AuctionsPlus as an assessor I could see where it was going to take the industry and it was the same with Te Mania Angus, I could see what it would add to the livestock market and the genetic profile of herds in our part of the world,” he said.
“You just have to watch the feedlotters and backgrounders going after Te Mania Angus blood cattle; it’s a brand that stands apart and one of the biggest advantage of dealing with them is your relationship doesn’t end with the fall of the hammer, they are there just as much to help you later of you need support.”
Hamish said Te Mania Angus had nominated 115 bulls for Walgett, with inspections available from Saturday 7th August and 7.30am on dale day, with the auctioneer taking over at 11.30am sharp.
He said Te Mania Angus has been a pioneer in beef cattle genetics and objective measurement and working with Chris, who has been a pioneer in the marketing of cattle, was a significant contributor to the bull sale and the acceptance of the brand in northern areas.
“Like the Clemson Hiscox team, we see the establishment of the breed’s rapidly expanding interest in, and adoption of, science and technology as a fully-fledged partner in the future of the beef cattle industry,” he said.
For more information contact Hamish McFarlane on 0427 641606 or temania.com.au
