Calf exporters using ferry services from Ireland to Cherbourg, France, this week have been informed that their bookings have been cancelled due to stormy sea conditions.
When sea conditions are deemed too choppy, livestock are not permitted to travel in lorries on ferries to mainland Europe.
It is not unusual to see livestock bookings on ferries cancelled at this time of the year, however, the cancellations do have an impact on the demand and value of export-type calves.
Agriland has learned that Irish Ferries informed calf exporters that livestock lorries were cancelled on their sailing yesterday (Tuesday, February 20).
Stena Line also informed calf exporters that livestock lorries have been cancelled on its vessel today (Wednesday, February 21).
Based on forecasted sea conditions, calf exporters have told Agriland it looks as if livestock lorries will “more than likely” be cancelled on Thursday, February 22, and that Friday and Saturday bookings remain “unlikely” based on current sea condition forecasts.
Livestock exporters have said they are “hopeful” that normal service will resume as soon as possible.
Trade reports
When livestock are not sailing on ferries due to stormy conditions, it can impact demand for export-type calves.
Where farmers are selling their calves at the mart, the best advice is to contact their livestock mart before bringing out the calves, to ensure the relevant customers will be active at that particular sale.
While the news of sailing cancellations will have a negative impact on the prices for export-type calves, stronger-type calves with an additional few weeks feeding tend not to be as severely impacted by reduced export demand.
The calf sale in Portumna Mart, Co. Galway, on Monday, February 19, had a total of 350 calves on offer with a good demand for the good calves, but the lighter Friesian bulls are “making a lot less money”, according to a spokesperson from the sale.
The top price in the calf sale was paid for a red roan Belgian Blue heifer calf weighing 65kg born on January 25 and making €460; while on the other end of the price scale, lighter-type young Friesian bulls sold for as low as €1/head.
“There was very good prices for Angus calves as well, they made very good money”, but the lower-grade calves were described as “a much tougher sell”.