The Atlantic M livestock carrier is due to arrive back in Ireland on Monday next, 22 May, and buying is ongoing to fill the boat for its next trip to Turkey.

The livestock carrier is making its way back from Turkey after delivering a consignment of 3,005 young bulls owned by Purcell Brothers for further feeding on Turkish farms.

Loading of cattle is expected to begin once those selected for export have finished the quarantine period.

Meanwhile, as the Irish Farmers Journal went to print, the Express 1 remained moored at Greenore Port.

It is understood that the boat is to leave for Libya by 20 May with 2,000 head. On it there will be a mix of heavy continental bulls and lighter Angus and Friesian bulls.

All animals are over 300kg, with the heaviest of the bulls coming in at the 650kg mark. It will be the third substantial shipment of Irish cattle to non-EU markets this year.

Live exports are performing positively so far in 2017, with the number of cattle exported live for the first 17 weeks of the year running 38% above 2016 levels, at 92,197 head.

Positive effect on prices

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said that live exports are having a positive effect on factory prices.

“There are strong prices available for cattle. This week steers were selling for a base of 4.20/kg in the midlands,” he said.

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