This week the first consignment in 2017 of pedigree in-calf Hereford heifers destined for Russia departed these shores.

In-calf pedigree Hereford heifers being loaded for Russian export at Hubert Maxwell & Co Export facility

A specially selected group of in-calf heifers of diverse pedigree from herds across the country including eight eighteen to twenty month old bulls brought together by Hubert Maxwell, Livestock exporters have been in quarantine for the past month. All health requirements being fully completed to the satisfaction of the importers the signal to move was received.

Pedigree Hereford bulls ready for loading with exporter Michael Maxwell

The luxury transport for the Hereford consignment to their new home is provided by a Lithuanian company with extensive experience of cattle transport across Europe. The journey will take one week including rest breaks on the route through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Belarus to the final destination just 180km west of Moscow.

The Russian Hereford breeders who have purchased the cattle came to Ireland in January last to visit a number of farms and see the quality of animal available and were extremely satisfied with the standard.

Svetlana Koss who hails from Moscow has co-ordinated the project on this occasion said she was extremely pleased with both the quality of the cattle and with how the current project has worked out. A further consignment this time of over 100 in-calf Hereford heifers arrived almost immediately at the quarantine facility replacing those heading for Rosslare.

The testing at quarantine is quiet extensive but Svetlana is with Michael Maxwell confident that this further consignment will again go through without any major hitch.

Another group of six for apartment four on the luxury transport truck

Irish Hereford Society chairman Willie Branagan was very pleased with the progress to date on this export order and is confident of further similar orders including maiden heifers later this spring. The Hereford cattle exported will allow the expansion and rebuilding of the beef cattle population in Russia which has huge possibilities for development into the future he said.

Luxury travel for Hereford heifers across Europe to Russia