A CONSIGNMENT of cattle originally bound for Turkey found new homes after the Pakenham cattle sale on Thursday.
Extended shipping delays caused the live export order of 1050 steers and heifers to be placed onto the store market, after initially being purchased at March weaner sales.
Alex Scott and Staff’s Neil Darby - who organised the order for export group Candans Livestock Australia - said this was the first time his agency had exported to Turkey.
“It’s a big disappointment, but something that was completely out of our control,” Mr Darby said of the unfortunate situation.
He said warm conditions in Turkey resulted in the cancelled order, which also comprised of dairy heifers.
The cattle were purchased from Hamilton and Casterton, as well as Naracoorte and Mt Gambier in South Australia.
“Candans found out six weeks ago and they instructed us to sell the cattle straight away,” he continued.
The draft attracted a large crowd at the Pakenham selling centre, with the steers topping at $755 for an average of $670.
Mr Darby would not reveal the original purchase price of the line in March, but admitted there would be a loss after a recent drop in the market.
“We did purchase the cattle prior to the Wellards order, before rates escalated,” he said.
“I think we bought at the right time luckily enough.”