Declaring 'faults' in an assessment - what is best practice?
AuctionsPlus are updating our User Agreement and Sale Terms.
The information outlined in this article is effective as of the 1st March, 2023.
Long toes, blown teats, undershot jaws, blue eyes, dog bites, - the list goes on. Describe them as faults, abnormalities or traits not true to type, if the stock you are assessing have anything that may affect performance, value or future marketability, then declare it. Put your 'buying hat' on when assessing and scrutinise the stock to the degree to which you would had you just purchased them.
What should you include?
- The type of fault / abnormality
- The number or % affected (be specific – don’t use “odd” or “small %”)
- Effect on performance (if relevant). Avoid “Not Considered Detrimental" – you don’t know what a buyer considers detrimental.
- Photos are best way to back up your description
Unacceptable declaration: Odd steer with old pinkeye scar, not considered detrimental
Acceptable declaration: 4 steers with pinkeye scarring in one eye. Steers have full sight. See photos.
From 1 March, a new field exists in Assessment Entry to disclose Notable Traits.
- There is a nil tolerance for a fault that is not disclosed on the Assessment, and found to be present.
- A tolerance of 5% on the number of head affected applies to any faults that are declared.