Over 3,000 weanlings were loaded on to a boat at Waterford last Thursday and have now departed en route for Turkey. This is the third shipment by Purcell Brothers in 2017 and brings the firm to halfway in filling its 20,000 head contract.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a further boatload of slaughter-weight bulls for the Turkish market is currently being assembled. Prices range from €2.25-€2.35/kg for bulls up to 600kg. Final approval from the Turkish authorities is expected.

Separately, a west of Ireland exporter is assembling a batch of 500 young dairy heifers for export to Russia. These will be exported on approved livestock trucks over coming weeks, following clearance by the Department of Agriculture.

Export figures for the week ending 2 July showed 1,327 head exported with three main destinations. Spain imported 794 head, mainly calves, Italy imported 290 weanling bulls and heifers while Northern Ireland imported 230 cattle.

Export surge

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said at Wednesday’s beef forum that live exports are up 43%.