Getting Started
Testing Your System Has Silverlight
Important: before you are able to connect to a GrainsPlus auction, you should test your system to ensure that it meets the recommended requirements.
In order to view or bid in an auction, you must have Silverlight installed and activated.
Click here to check if you have Silverlight installed
Demonstration Auction
The following demonstration auction will help to see if your system is correctly configured to participate in a GrainsPlus auction. If the auction doesn't load
correctly or if you receive an error, please refere to the Connection Troubleshooting section below.
Click Here to See Demonstration Auction
Connection Troubleshooting
If you are connecting through a personal firewall or a Local Area Network you may experience some difficulty connecting to an auction.
If you are unable to connect to the Demonstration Auction above, please Contact GrainsPlus for more information about configuring
your security system.
2-Way satellite connections: some 2-Way satellite Internet Service Providers such as activ8me use a TCP accelerator called netgain. If netgain is currently enabled on your
connection, you will need to contact your ISP and ask them to disable it before connecting to an auction.
How Do I Register With GrainsPlus?
To Register with GrainsPlus, simply go to the registration page, and fill in and submit the registration form. Once you have submitted the registration form, GrainsPlus will process your request and will contact you via email with your
login details. Allowing for weekends, registrations can take up to 48 hours to process, but will normally be returned within the same day.
A note to AuctionsPlus users: if you are currently registered with the AuctionPlus Livestock System; you can nominate to use the same login details for GrainsPlus.
Simply include your current AuctionsPlus username and password within the form fields provided.
Logging into the GrainsPlus Website
Once you have successfully registered with GrainsPlus and received your username and password details, follow these steps to log into the GrainsPlus website:
Step 1.
The GrainsPlus login form is situated at the top right hand corner of the website. You can login to the website at any time by simply entering your GrainsPlus username and password and clicking the Login button. A panel will appear at the top of the page notifying you as to whether your login attempt was successful or not. An easy way to tell if you are currently logged into the website is if your username is showing in the Username field on the login form.
Note: if you attempt to access a page that requires you to be logged in; you will be automatically taken to a login page. Simply fill in the login form and press the Login button and you will be automatically logged in and redirected to the requested page.
Logging Off the GrainsPlus Website
To log out of the GrainsPlus website click on the Logout option displayed in the websites submenu.
Auction Functions
Viewing a Catalogue
Step 1.
Once a GrainsPlus auction catalogue has been release, you can view the summary and full lot details by clicking on the Auctions & Catalogues link in the main menu.
Step 2.
You will now be in the Auction Schedule page; clicking on the View Summary link for a released auction will take you into the auction's summary page.
Step 3.
You should now be in the auction summary page; you can view the full details for a single lot by clicking
on the View link. You can also view multiple full lot descriptions by ticking the box for each lot and clicking
the Print Selected button at the bottom of the page.
Step 4.
The full lot details viewer allows you to: print the listing, view a printer friendly PDF version of the listing, and to
download an XML export of the listing. If you have selected multiple lots, a dropdown box will be shown allowing you to
navigate between the descriptions.
Logging into an Auction
It is important that you initially check that your system meets the requirements outlined in the Getting Started section before you attempt to log into an auction. Once you are happy that your system meets the requirements; follow these steps to connect to an auction:
Step 1.
Click on the Auctions & Catalogues link in the main menu.
Step 2.
Any auctions that are currently running will have a Connect to Auction link available; click this link.
Step 3.
If you are currently logged into the website you will be automatically directed into the auction.
If you are not currently logged into the website; you will be asked whether you wish to bid or only view the auction. If you click the View Auction button, you will be logged into the auction as a viewer. If you click on the Login to Bid button; you will be redirected to a login form. Once you correctly enter your GrainsPlus username and password and press Login, you will be automatically taken to the auction.
Note: It is important to understand that by entering and participating in a GrainsPlus auction that you are bound by all operating conditions outlined within this website.
Viewing Auction Results
When a GrainsPlus auction has finished, results will be emailed to all successful bidders. Results are also available through this website by following these steps:
Step 1.
Click on the Auction Results link in the main menu.
Step 2..
Click on the View Results link for the particular auction you wish to view.
Step 3.
You will then be taken to the results page for that auction. If you are not logged into the website; you will be notified. Viewing auction results as a logged in user will give you your specific auction results. It is important to note that your results are not made available to any other user.
Seller Functions
How do I offer grain on GrainsPlus?
To list grain directly through the GrainsPlus website you must be registered as either a grain seller or grain trader/broker. If you are currently not registered as either of these user types; please fill in the registration form; or contact GrainsPlus.
To submit a grain listing as a logged in seller or trader/broker; follow these steps:
Step 1.
Once you have logged into the GrainsPlus website; click on the List Your Grain option in the main menu of the site.
Step 2.
You should now be taken to the Add New Grain Listing form. Fill in the form and press the Add Listing button at the bottom of the page to submit the listing to GrainsPlus. Help icons are available throughout the listing form to give you guidance and examples on each area of the listing.
Note: you can view previously entered listings by going to the My GrainsPlus page and clicking the Selling Activity tab. If you need to modify an entered listing contact GrainsPlus for details.
Buyer Functions
Entering Limit Bids Before an Auction Starts
Limit bids are an exciting feature of the GrainsPlus auction system. Buyers and traders/brokers can enter their limit or highest bid on any lots of interest before the auction starts. This gives you the convenience of not having to be physically logged into the auction when it’s running. Once entered, limit bids can be modified up until the auction is running, however, once the auction has started, limit bids cannot be changed.
To enter limit bids, log in as a buyer or trader/broker and follow these steps:
Step 1.
As outlined in the Viewing a Catalogue section; proceed to the auctions summary page by clicking on the Auctions & Catalogues link in the main menu, then click on the View Summary link for the auction.
Step 2.
Each lot will now have an additional Your Limit Bids column containing a textbox. Enter your highest limit bid into the textbox for those lots you are interested in. Scroll to the bottom of the column and click the Update Limits button. Your limits will have now been submitted; you can review your limits at a later date by going back into the summary page of that auction.
Bidding in an Auction
Once you have logged into the auction, see the Logging into an Auction section; you’ll be able to participate within the auction. To place a bid on a lot follow these steps:
Step 1.
The current price for each lot is displayed to right of each lot number. If you wish to place a bid on a lot, click on the button containing the lot you are interested in.
Step 2.
You will now receive a message asking you if you wish to place 1 bid, 2 bids or 5 bids on the lot. 1 bid = the current auctions increment (currently defaulting to 50c/Metric Tonne). After making your selection the system will place a bid on the lot for the selected amount.
Step 3.
You know that you are holding a lot when the button representing the lot number is highlighted blue. If another buyer bids a higher price than you, the button will return to its default grey colour and the price will increment.
Auction Timer: the auction is controlled by a timer that is displayed at the bottom of the auction screen. Each time any lot receives a bid, the timer will reset. The auction will only end when the timer reaches 0 and no more lots attract a bid. All lots within the auction start and end at the same time.
Lot Details: You can view lot details while the auction is running by clicking on the price of a lot.
My GrainsPlus Page
What is the My GrainsPlus Page?
The My GrainsPlus page allows you to update your user details, change your password and track your selling and buying activity. To visit the My GrainsPlus page click on My GrainsPlus in the main menu.