Light at end of the tunnel for cattle farmers

The Direct Cattle Purchase (DCP) system under which the BMC purchases cattle at feedlots and in the field at designated locations and publicised dates, has encouraged more farmers to deliver cattle as it eliminates transport, police and veterinary issues.

The DCP was suspended in February on the back of technical and compliance issues, which later triggered the suspension of exports to the lucrative European Union (EU) market.  Thus, local farmers have been without the flexible purchase system for most of the year.