THE largest single shipment of live cattle from southern Australia has left Port Adelaide bound for Russia.
The consignment of 32,000 Angus steers is part of the first contract for feeder cattle under the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System to Europe, with past shipments destined for breeding purposes only.
In recent years, Russia has become a significant importer of breeding cattle from Australia as it aims to return to self-sufficiency in beef production.
To date, exported breeding cattle have been mostly registered Angus females, with 34,584 head exported last year - up from 3994 five years ago.
This particular order, from Russia's biggest meat-producing and importing agribusiness - Miratorg - was filled with yearling steers from SA, Vic, NSW and WA.
The cattle were sourced direct on-farm by agents from Elders, Landmark and the WA-based Livestock Shipping Services, which organised the consignment.
LSS export manager Paul Keenan said the opening of the market would provide significant opportunities for Australian producers, with the potential to export up to 100,000 head of cattle each year.
"LSS has spent significant time and effort to ensure this first shipment of cattle to Russia by LSS is a success," he said.
"The cattle will be delivered to a purpose-built feedlot and abattoir which has been approved by the Australian Government under ESCAS and which complies with OIE animal welfare standards."
He said the steers were all Angus, weighing 250 kilograms to 350kg, and would be unloaded at the Black Sea Port following a 21-day journey before entering the Miratorg feedlot.
The steers were loaded onto two ships, including the MV Nada - one of the world's largest animal ships - and the MV Ghena in Adelaide.
Loading finished at 3am on Wednesday morning.
Mr Keenan said the shipment was worth an estimated $40 million.
He said future shipments were very likely and at this stage would continue to be Angus-blood cattle.
"It's a positive outlook for the future of the live export industry and Australian producers, and (Russia) has the potential to develop into Australia's second largest market in the future," Mr Keenan said.
Angus Australia chief executive officer Peter Parnell said while the society had not been directly involved in this order, it was the first of what he hoped would eventuate into future orders for Australian Angus cattle.
"Miratorg has very high standards; for this order they were after well-bred Angus steers," he said.
"We (Australia) do have an advantage on price at the moment compared with other international orders.
"The demand for cattle at the moment is greater than what can be met."
* Full report in Stock Journal, May 1, 2014 issue.