Live export heifers hit Aus market

The consignment includes 4200 Holstein and 800 Angus heifers in quarantine in the GG Feedlot in the Wimmera and a further 4500 on agistment in western Victoria, southern NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.

The administrator of Carpenter International, Grant Thornton Australia (GTA), had inquired about whether the stock were eligible for the Asian market, which Dairy Livestock Sales (DLS) manager Scott Lord said seemed "challenging".

"There are issues with import permits and China protocols, which is not something easily resolved," Mr Lord said.

"(While) administrators are working heavily behind the scenes, it is very unlikely we will be able to get them into an Asian market – however, that is our preference.

"At this point in time we are exhausting every avenue to have those (quarantined) cattle exported.

"We are working with a number of parties showing interest to export.

"Failing that we will work via private treaty because we are talking about large numbers of cattle."

Cattle on agistment in southern Australia will be marketed separately to the quarantined stock and will be sold through public tender next month.

"They'll suit domestic dairyman, speculators and exporters," Mr Lord said.

The agisted stock includes 3000 Holstein heifers weighing from 130 kilograms to 250kg and 1500 Jersey in the 200-280kg range.

DLS and GTA are preparing an extensive advertising campaign which will publicise the sale and open days for viewing stock.

The administrators say they hope to complete the sale of stock by mid-May.

"We believe (public tender) maximises competition, is transparent and gives all interested parties the opportunity to compete," Mr Lord said.

"There is a large number of cattle that will be handled and we believe we can get them sorted in weight and type categories this way, because we clearly couldn't handle that at a public auction."

Mr Lord said it was a good time to put the stock on the market.

"As far as the timing is concerned there are a number of potential export contracts that are currently being written and enquiry coming out of Asia," he said.

"We are seeing that (Asian) market having more livestock delivered back into it.

"Put that alongside the expectation of a seasonal break in the next six weeks and it is a good time to put the cattle onto the market."

Assessment by facilitating agency DLS and GTA contracted vets has gauged the bulk of the stock to be in good condition.

Last week DLS was awarded the contracted to sell of the stock and attempt to reclaim part of the $20 million owed to 20 agents, including DLS, following Carpenter International's failed Chinese export deal.

In its pitch to administrators and the creditors' committee, Mr Lord said DLS had experience handling administration and liquidation sales.

"And as a potential creditor we would work in our best interest to maximise our return," he said.

"We are undertaking the negotiations of stock but at the end of the day the administrators and the creditors' committee will make the assessment on prices for any line of stock that is accepted."