Capacity for calves has been increased by 600 spaces at Cherbourg, IFA dairy chair Tom Phelan has confirmed.
The space is equivalent to an extra 1,800 calves per week, assuming three sailings per week.
Official veterinary approval was issued for the extra capacity this week, with the IFA saying that there may be scope for more.
“When ferry crossings are not hampered by stormy weather, these additional 600 spaces can be used three times per week (three sailings by two ferry companies Stena Line and Irish Ferries).
“This means there is now scope for up to 15,000 calves to transit through Cherbourg every week that the ferries can cross three times,” Phelan said.
Peak
At peak last year, under 13,000 male dairy calves per week were exported through Cherbourg to Ireland’s main markets in the Netherlands, Spain and Poland, Phelan said.
“The increased capacity should suffice to cater for the peak export numbers, coming over the next few weeks.
“[The] IFA’s ongoing contact with the lairage operators Pignet and Qualivia over the last 13 months, our practical support, encouragement, the help we provided in liaising between the French and Irish veterinary authorities and the operators themselves have been instrumental in delivering a total of up to 1,000 extra spaces (3,000 calves per week) in the last year,” he said.
Demand
Last week saw much larger numbers of calves on offer in marts right across the country. Export demand remains strong, with the majority of calves being bought for the Dutch market.
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Capacity for calves has been increased by 600 spaces at Cherbourg, IFA dairy chair Tom Phelan has confirmed.
The space is equivalent to an extra 1,800 calves per week, assuming three sailings per week.
Official veterinary approval was issued for the extra capacity this week, with the IFA saying that there may be scope for more.
“When ferry crossings are not hampered by stormy weather, these additional 600 spaces can be used three times per week (three sailings by two ferry companies Stena Line and Irish Ferries).
“This means there is now scope for up to 15,000 calves to transit through Cherbourg every week that the ferries can cross three times,” Phelan said.
Peak
At peak last year, under 13,000 male dairy calves per week were exported through Cherbourg to Ireland’s main markets in the Netherlands, Spain and Poland, Phelan said.
“The increased capacity should suffice to cater for the peak export numbers, coming over the next few weeks.
“[The] IFA’s ongoing contact with the lairage operators Pignet and Qualivia over the last 13 months, our practical support, encouragement, the help we provided in liaising between the French and Irish veterinary authorities and the operators themselves have been instrumental in delivering a total of up to 1,000 extra spaces (3,000 calves per week) in the last year,” he said.
Demand
Last week saw much larger numbers of calves on offer in marts right across the country. Export demand remains strong, with the majority of calves being bought for the Dutch market.
Read more
Calf numbers jump and prices under more pressure
Vet's Corner: have your calves caught the cold - not corona
Better weather just in time for peak calf trade
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