BEEF producers in the South West have hailed the live export industry as somewhat of a saviour for taking volumes of cattle out of a heavily flooded market.
Last week Bridgetown producer Mark Hardey said he felt disillusioned by the beef industry, and the live export industry was the only positive aspect of the industry in recent times.
"They have been a saviour," Mr Hardey said.
"I think if they can take cattle out of the South West market then it's a good thing."
Most of the live export companies Farm Weekly spoke to this week were adamant that this year was no different to any other in terms of the number of cattle being sourced, and that perhaps producers were simply noticing the industry's presence in the saleyards more than previous years given the circumstances.
However, one company which was active in South West saleyards recently was Wellard, which was sourcing 6000 head for the maiden voyage of the MV Ocean Swagman, which left Fremantle, bound for Jakarta, Indonesia last week.
The Swagman discharged in Jakarta over the weekend and will be returning to Fremantle, with the maiden voyage hailed a success.
A spokesperson for Wellard said their saleyard activity in sourcing both bos Indicus and bos Taurus cattle for the MV Ocean Swagman would have helped the market and the company was still active buying cattle.
Elders live export manager Max Cunnington said it may appear that the live export industry had been more active in the South West of late, but it was an opportunity export buyers were given as a consequence of the Western Meat Packers fire.
"The South West has always been very slow to adopt live export," Mr Cunnington said.
"The Western Meat Packers fire has given live exporters the chance to get hold of those empty cows.
"There does appear to be more ships around at the moment than usual, but I don't think there is.
"However live export continues to strengthen out of the southern ports (Geraldton and Esperance)."
Mr Cunnington said this year there had been a high percentage of empty cows suitable to the Indonesian trade, as well as very high demand for all categories of bos Indicus cattle for the same market.
He said the numbers of cattle sent to live export had certainly strengthened, with the bull trade in particular being very strong for pastoral, British and European breeds.
"At this stage, live export is one of the bright strengths of the beef industry statewide," he said.
"Indonesia and the Middle East are very strong, as is the demand for dairy cattle, and there is an exciting prospect in sending beef steers to the Middle East."
Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) export manager Paul Keenan said they had not been sourcing any more cattle from the South West than usual because they generally sourced bulls for export.
Mr Keenan said producers in the South West may be noticing live exporters more because they have been looking at all market alternatives.
"We would just remind producers that supply will get tight in the winter, as we ship local bos Taurus cattle before the Arabian summer and from April we will only take bos Indicus," Mr Keenan said.
"So for any producers holding on to cattle, keep that in mind."
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