Importing dairy cattle from Europe.

[topground]

Anyone have any experience post Brexit of importing in calf heifers and cows from the Netherlands into England?
If so please share, particularly the agents and hauliers used and their terms.
TIA.

 

[Will Blackburn]

I’ve imported from Sweden and about to import from Denmark, Brexit has made little difference.

 

[topground]

I’ve imported from Sweden and about to import from Denmark, Brexit has made little difference.

Thanks, did you use an agent or diy?

 

[Bald Rick]

Anyone have any experience post Brexit of importing in calf heifers and cows from the Netherlands into England?
If so please share, particularly the agents and hauliers used and their terms.
TIA.

Yes. No problems now but there were immediately post Brexit.

Agent usually does all the arrangements and all you do is pay 50% up front with the remainder seven days after delivery
We use Neils Jorgensen of Danish Jersey Export. He owns the lairage at the port too and doesn’t just supply jerseys btw

 

[Serup]

On a related note, how much does these end up costing, when delivered? Do you know how much the seller gets?
I have sold in-calf heifers to many countries, and are convinced that the price in the end is fairly different from the one i get.

 

[Bald Rick]

On a related note, how much does these end up costing, when delivered? Do you know how much the seller gets?
I have sold in-calf heifers to many countries, and are convinced that the price in the end is fairly different from the one i get.

Depends a bit on exchange rates obviously but last full load we brought in of in calf heifers (jerseys) was £1450 in our yard. Think there is a €50 premium for sexed semen

 

[happycows]

On a related note, how much does these end up costing, when delivered? Do you know how much the seller gets?
I have sold in-calf heifers to many countries, and are convinced that the price in the end is fairly different from the one i get.

Being quoted approximately £1550/£1600 for incalf heifers at the moment.
That’s from Northern Germany.
Norton Brooksbank or Houven livestock are 2. There’s lots out there importing.
February last year paid on Wednesday and arrived Friday. Holding number and address was about all they needed.

 

[Serup]

Depends a bit on exchange rates obviously but last full load we brought in of in calf heifers (jerseys) was £1450 in our yard. Think there is a €50 premium for sexed semen

I have viking reds, but my wife work at a big jersey farm that export several 100's every year. She say an average price last year was about £1050 with todays exchange rate. I think that is almost only sexed semen, as most use that on jerseys in Denmark now.
With reds we usually get about £55 extra for sexed semen.

 

[Serup]

Being quoted approximately £1550/£1600 for incalf heifers at the moment.
That’s from Northern Germany.
Norton Brooksbank or Houven livestock are 2. There’s lots out there importing.
February last year paid on Wednesday and arrived Friday. Holding number and address was about all they needed.

Prices like this, makes me wonder what the actual cost of exporting is.
To make this work, your cost to make one yourself must be something. My cost to make a heifer all the way to calving, is considerably less than what you pay.

 

[Stinker]

Why do people import? Can't heifers be sourced locally?

 

[Will Blackburn]

Why do people import? Can't heifers be sourced locally?

Northern Europe offer numbers, consistency and a disease profile I’m happy to bring in.

 

[Beef farmer]

Why do people import? Can't heifers be sourced locally?

Seemingly 500 quid cheaper

 

[JP1]

Anyone have any experience post Brexit of importing in calf heifers and cows from the Netherlands into England?
If so please share, particularly the agents and hauliers used and their terms.
TIA.

Yes will PM

 

[Princess Pooper]

Why do people import? Can't heifers be sourced locally?

UK herds not usually good enough health status.

 

[Bruce Almighty]

Why do people import? Can't heifers be sourced locally?

To put it bluntly in Europe there is no TB - because badgers aren't protected.
Also Denmark is BvD free.

 

[lazy farmer]

Are barbers the only one to flag up that it is now policy that cows from Europe have to be on farm three months before their milk can go in the tank ?
We have had to sign a declaration.

 

[Princess Pooper]

We imported from Holland years ago through Firma Dekka, very good service. We imported to make up TB losses in 2015, in-calf heifers both times. Can;t remember the agents in Denmark. The animals arrived spotless and well bedded down.

You can ask for extra vet tests if you want (and pay for them), neospora is one worth looking at, the rest depends on your own herd's health profile but many countries are basically TB, lepto and BVD free. I think you still have to warble them within so many days of import. One thing to be aware of, (since Brexit) if your milk buyer exports product to Europe, you may find you are not allowed to supply milk from European imported animals (you couldn't make it up) until they have been in the UK for 3 months. Defra has been consulting on this and apparently it is going to be enforced.

All paperwork taken care of, we just had to send import passports to BCMS and they issue UK passports (obviously the tag does not change). You can't sell them as culls as farm assured.

 

[Princess Pooper]

To put it bluntly in Europe there is no TB - because badgers aren't protected.
Also Denmark is BvD free.

and lepto

 

[bigw]

Are barbers the only one to flag up that it is now policy that cows from Europe have to be on farm three months before their milk can go in the tank ?
We have had to sign a declaration.

No it applies to all dairies exporting to the EU i think as its to do with export licenses

 

[Princess Pooper]

Are barbers the only one to flag up that it is now policy that cows from Europe have to be on farm three months before their milk can go in the tank ?
We have had to sign a declaration.

We are having to do the same.