WESTERN Australian exporter Wellard Ltd has re-established live sheep exports to the Gulf Region of the Middle East after a hiatus of almost two years.
The exporter late last week landed a shipment of 10,000 terminal-Merino cross lambs in Oman, delivering them to the Mawashi Oman feedlot.
The exporter expected to make further live sheep shipments this year.
Wellard said Mawashi Oman has developed a 50,000-head capacity feedlot and also operated the two most modern processing plants in Oman.
“Mawashi Oman is a professional, progressive company who want to grow their business. We are working closely them, providing technical support on animal husbandry and nutrition, to nurture those growth plans,” Wellard Middle East general manager Tim O’Donnell said.
“The facilities they have constructed are excellent, demonstrating a real long-term investment in the industry as well as a commitment to animal welfare.”
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Mr O’Donnell said the quality of the sheep sourced from Western Australian producers for the shipment was excellent. Most of the sheep were Poll Dorset and White Suffolk-Merino cross lambs.
“They have been very well received by our customer and fitted their specifications perfectly,” he said.
“We are able to utilise the M/V Ocean Outback, a mid-sized vessel from the Wellard fleet, to safely and comfortably transport the sheep so they arrived fit and healthy to Oman.”
New ME marketing manager appointed
The company said it had also appointed a new Middle East marketing manager to cement its return to the Gulf. Wellard said the marketing manager will be responsible for market development for live sheep and cattle, as well as chilled and frozen lamb and sheep meat produced by Wellard’s abattoir, Beaufort River Meats.
The MV Ocean Outback was launched in late 2010 with the capacity to transport 6000 cattle or 25,000 sheep, or a combination of both. The company said the $40 million-plus vessel represented the next generation in livestock vessel design and construction for enhanced welfare and safety of livestock, vessel and crew.
Source: Wellard Ltd.
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