The two livestock carrier boats Atlantic M and Brahman Express delivered their loads of weanlings to Mercin in Turkey this week.
The Atlantic M unloaded on Sunday and has now arrived in Malta for refuelling. The Brahman Express unloaded on Tuesday.
The Brahman Express will now return to Ireland for a further load of cattle. However, it is unclear if livestock export company Viastar has chartered the Atlantic M to return for another shipment.
The Brahman is a more modern and faster boat, which was purpose built to carry cattle and other livestock.
More to come
Cattle agents suggest that at least two and probably three further boatloads of weanlings will sail from Ireland before year end.
Viastar already has weanlings bought and placed in quarantine in approved holding centres for export on these shipments.
As a result it could slow down its buying at marts from the end of this month.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that Viastar’s contract to supply cattle to Turkey – as part of a consortium with a French livestock export company – runs to the end of December.
The company is actively seeking to agree contracts for further supply on into January.