Australia - Dairy heifers to Mexico a lifeline to WA industry
Published:September 22, 2006
Source :Farmers Weekly
As the West Australian dairy industry loses producers and suffers from poor weather conditions, some producers have found a cash reprieve by lining up their heifers for a boat ride to China, Russia and Mexico.
Elders WA have just completed a tour of the state with Mexican selectors viewing thousands of potential mated dairy heifers to fill the 30th shipment to that country.
The two-week selection process in WA saw 717 mated heifers eligible for shipping out of 3000 required nation-wide.
Elders WA dairy representative, Carl Harnett, says a slow but intense process was necessary as the selectors needed to be sure the cattle would be suitable to Mexican conditions.
Mr Harnett says in recent times the sales have been more beneficial for farmers to export than to milk.
"With dairy farmers closing down shop, more farmers are breeding for export," Mr Harnett said.
"This order will pump about $700,000 into the dairy industry."
Mr Harnett is expecting China to have another order in the next six months and farmers may also see requests from new entrants like Indonesia, Turkey and Malaysia.
"All of these country's are in the market place to buy as they are building their herds or maintaining existing herd sizes," Mr Harnett said.
