FUTURE dairy live-export sales should remain the same as last year as more farmers factor cash from heifer sales into their annual budgets.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, 64,596 dairy cattle valued at $139.3 million were exported last year.
During 2010, 77,077 head worth 150.5 million were sold.
Landmark Global Exports livestock general manager Graeme Turner said some farmers were managing their businesses to make the most of demand for Australian dairy heifers and boost cash flow.
"I think a lot of dairy farmers are doing everything they can to get Friesian heifers," he said.
"There are more using sexed semen and using Holstein bulls.
"People are selling export heifers so they can buy cows ready to milk."
Depending on quality, a three-month-old Holstein heifer can attract about $1300 on the export market, while Jerseys can be up to $400 less and crossbreds about $1000.
The high Australian dollar remains a concern for customers, according to Mr Turner.
While Australian heifers have always been the preference for Chinese clients, an unfavorable exchange rate has seen them look further afield to fill orders.
Victoria supplied the most export cattle at 83.7 per cent, followed by Western Australia (10.2 per cent) and South Australia (3.4). Tasmania supplied the least, with 0.3 per cent.
Elders national dairy sales manager Rob French said Holsteins were still the dominate breed required by international customers, but China recently had shown more interest in Jerseys, while cross-breds were becoming more popular in Pakistan.
Wellard Rural Exports Europe and north Asia general manager Anthony Fellows said it was a "fairly exciting time" for exports because of a growing global demand for protein.
Some long-term contracts were in place and the business was now operating with more "definition", Mr Fellows said.
