Elders has instigated a six-State search for Angus heifers to fill a new export order to Russia.

Fresh from shipping 6000 Angus heifers to the Baltic nation earlier this month, Elders has this week secured a back-to-back deal to supply a similar number to the same customer.

Elders national livestock manager Chris Howie said the company had initially not expected a new order until later in the new year. 

“However on the quality of the heifers that we delivered, we’ve had opportunity to supply another shipment into Russia by the end of January,” Mr Howie said.

The last consignment was filled mainly out of South Eastern South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the NSW Riverina.

However Elders will look to suppliers across the country to fill this order. 

“We have got the order spread from Western Australia to Southern Queensland," Mr Howie said.

“We have customised it to make sure that if you are in Southern Queensland or Northern NSW you can deliver into Gunnedah, into the south you can deliver to Portland, in Tasmania you can deliver to Powranna, and in WA to Esperance, Mount Barker and Muchea.”

The specifications are for unjoined Angus heifers by registered Angus sires. The heifers must be aged between 10 to 15 months and weigh betweeen 305kg-400kg. Suppliers must also be a member of the Angus Society, which costs $88 to join.

Mr Howie said it was difficult to discuss pricing because it varied from region to region depending on the freight component involved. “We’re factoring a freight component in, but we are not discounting anyone’s cattle,” he said. “We’ve basically thrown as much money as we’ve got available  to make sure that we get the right cattle.”

After experiencing a dramatic decline in its breeding herd over the past two decades, the Russian Government has offered financial incentives in recent years to encourage livestock producers to import quality breeding stock to improve their genetic resources.

Available subsidies to Russian livestock producers can account for more than 50pc of the cost of the imported animals, while favourable interest rates also provided to those borrowing money to fund herd development.

For further information on the order contact Elders respresentatives Cameron Wilson (Queensland) on 0428 657 334; Peter Cox (NSW) on 0428 262 569; Peter Toohey (Victoria and Riverina) on 0408 816 463; Scott Altschwager (SA/Tasmania) on 0408 806 194 and Darren Chatley (WA) on 0407 231 865.

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