May 26, 2011

 

Australia rushes to export cattle

 

 

Ports in northern Australia are facing one of their hectic periods on record for live cattle exports as the sector hurries to export them before they weigh too much for the Indonesian market, according to the Managing director of Wellard Rural Exports, Steve Meerwald.

 

"Everyone is in catch-up mode after a long extended Wet season, so there are a lot of cattle that need to go quickly as everyone is conscious that once their cattle get over 350kg, it presents some real challenges, because they no longer fit the specifications for the Indonesian market."

 

The Wyndham Port is busy and so is Broome.

 

Livestock agent Todd Walsh said exporters are getting ready to ship out 15,000 head of cattle next week.

 

'It is not normal to have this kind of numbers in a week, it has taken everyone by surprise and we cannot find enough trucks," he said.

 

Walsh said the good season in the Kimberley region has already caused cattle to tip over the weight limit for Indonesia.

 

"Last week, we weighed up a few steers from the Fitzroy Valley and a lot of them had gone over the 350kg limit.

 

"They have put on the weight, the stations could not get them onto boats early enough and we will have to wait and see what sort of markets come in.

 

"So hopefully, we can get another Middle East boat or a ship to the Philippines which will take heavier cattle."

 

Walsh said fatter Kimberley cattle continue to be trucked south to meatworks in Harvey, over 2,500 kilometres away for some.

 

The spike in cattle numbers at Wyndham coincides with the return to the town's port by Wellards, which is Australia's largest cattle exporter.

 

Meerwald said new smaller ships in Wellard's fleet have allowed the company to resume exports from Wyndham after a two-year hiatus.

 

"Previously using the big ships, we did have some complications in Wyndham of getting in and getting out on tides and what we could load were only partial loadings.

 

"But these two new vessels are very much suited and we have been able to work in with the supply chain in and around Wyndham to get a couple of shipments in the schedule, and we will look to do a few more out of Wyndham as the season progresses."

 

Live export prices from Broome remain very strong, with light weight steers fetching AUD2.10/kg (US$2.22).

 

The Wyndham Port in Western Australia is having a big month for cattle exports.