Buying continues for upcoming cattle shipments to Turkey.

This time around, lighter animals are being assembled – between 260-320kg. Buyers are operating on a weight limit of 350kg, but with the necessary 21-day quarantine there is some allowance made for subsequent weight gain.

A good R-grade calf

ADVERTISEMENT

In general, a good R-grade calf is the criteria – buyers are not opting for the show-stopping animal. Breed is also less of an issue than with other export destinations. While there are a lot of animals being purchased directly from farms, lighter weanlings are generally coming from marts.

Buyers are active in Balla, Roscommon, Elphin, Ennis and Carnaross, as well as marts in Donegal and Leitrim.

Browse the photo gallery above to see more examples of weanlings in which Turkey-boat buyers have expressed an interest.

Read more

Livestock boat on way back to Ireland for second load