Cattle exports set to rise in 2018

Cattle exports are on course to increase in 2018 and provide greater competition to the factory trade.

Export opportunities for calves, weanlings and heavy bulls have ramped up in recent days.

The Turkish market is opening up to bigger numbers of Irish cattle following the visit there last week by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

One major exporter, Viastar, is now looking for heavy bulls to deliver to Turkey from March under a government contract. Other exporters are preparing to agree contracts with private importers and start delivering from the end of May. Last week, the minister was told by Turkish authorities that state control by import tenders would be relaxed from that date.

Exports to Turkey could now double from the 30,000 head sent in 2017.

Meanwhile, fears that calf exports would be interrupted this month have eased. A new boat has been approved by the Department of Agriculture to carry livestock trucks from Ireland to France from the end of next week, when the existing boat goes offline for refurbishment.

The approval came just in time, with calf numbers and exports about to peak. The boat has initial clearance to carry 12 trucks with their 12 accompanying drivers. But it will be approved to carry additional livestock trailers if exporters arrange to have drivers and cab units meet the boat promptly on arrival in France. The boat meets stringent welfare requirements.

Dairy expansion saw calf exports jump 40% last year. There is likely to be a further increase in 2018 as demand on mainland Europe for veal production remains strong and, here, births of calves to dairy sires will again rise.

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