Calf exports double in strong start

Marts: There has been a very strong start to the live export trade for the year, with the export of calves and young store animals doubled for the first two months of 2006.

Export demand for quality continental bulls has been keeping price high at the mart sales, where supplies are now building up to the seasonal high, while demand from exporters for Friesian has maintained a floor under a breed affected by the ending of the headage based premia support.

Exports of calves to the end of February were 10,354 head compared to 5,319 head for 2005. Exports of weanling and young store animals increased from 4,338 head last year to over 9,200 head.