The MV Nada being loaded in Fremantle over the weekend.

Big live export orders for early 2016 are already starting to vacuum up available supply, highlighted by a massive Wellard Ltd haul which was just completed over the weekend.

The company this morning announced that it has just finished loading more than 17,500 cattle on the MV Nada in Fremantle for export to Indonesia and Vietnam.

The dual-country destination ensured Wellard could purchase both feeder and slaughter cattle from Western Australian producers.

“The quality of the cattle is very good and this order and the competition it created has helped to provide a very good start to the new year for beef producers,” said Wellard chief operating officer Scot Braithwaite.

“Aggregating and loading such a large shipment is always a challenge and I need to commend the Wellard team which did this while also managing fires near three Pre Export feedlots and the recent issue with the M/V Ocean Outback.”

Engine failure forced the MV Ocean Outback to abandon a voyage with over 13,000 cattle and sheep to Israel. The sheep have since been unloaded and the cattle shipped to a buyer in South East Asia. During the 10 or so days the vessel was undergoing repairs a reported three cattle and 10 sheep died aboard the ship.

Mr Braithwaite said this morning that zero mortalities had occurred since the ship departed from Fremantle for the new SE Asian destination a week ago. Wellard is also concurrently loading the M/V Ocean Ute at the opposite end of the country, in Townsville, Queensland.

“The ability to source animals from different states in tandem is not just an advantage for the exporter but also for producers who benefit from increased competition and exposure to a diversity of markets,” Mr Braithwaite said.

“Demand for cattle remains very strong in South East Asia and Wellard is well positioned to take advantage of this demand. Fortunately the repairs that will be made to the M/V Ocean Outback will not have a material impact on the number of cattle we will export.”