Fears of a glut of calves in spring 2017 are easing as calf exports surge. Export-fit Friesian bulls are readily making €150/head.

Calf exports are up 50% on last year at more than 10,000 head per week.

So far, 38,873 calves have been exported this year. Exports are performing strongly in the key EU markets: the Netherlands, Spain and now Belgium, which reopened to Irish calves in 2017. It was closed in 2016 because of IBR rules.

Exports are being driven by a number of factors. There is strong demand for veal produced by Dutch farms.

The Department of Agriculture and Irish calf exporters have adapted trucks and transport arrangements to deal with rules put in place last year by Dutch veterinary authorities. Exporters have now fitted rubber teats to drinkers in calf trailers.

Meanwhile, exports of older breeding and finisher cattle are resuming. This week a boatload of breeding heifers departed from Waterford for Turkey for sale there to local farms. Separately, Purcell Brothers continues to assemble a consignment of feeder-type bulls for that market with shipment expected next month.

Continued strong live exports to all markets will be badly needed in 2017 given that calf births are expected to rise by up to 100,000 head.

Live exports of all cattle are running 33% ahead of last year at 50,129, an increase of 12,695 head.

  • The total of calves exported by mid-March was 38,873, up by 12,988 on last year.
  • Exports of weanlings and store cattle so far this year are steady at last year’s levels.
  • Numbers of finished cattle exported are down slightly.

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    10,000 cattle exported in a week