Frday 2 November 2007

Hafodesgob Heifers Lead at Welsh Black Sale

The Dolgellau Annual Autumn show and Sale saw Bala breeder Gwenfair Jones and Sons of Hafod-yr-Esgob scoop 50 per cent of the pre-sale show awards, selling a total of five heifers averaging £1370 gns a head.

The Jones family led in the sale, held on Tuesday 30 October, with the highest priced female, two and a half year old in-calf heifer Hafodesgob Mai 15 th, that was Champion female, and sold for 2100 gns to Nigel Birt-Llewellin of Rosehill, Slebech, Haverfordwest.

Champion Maiden Heifer was Hafodesgob Molly 93 rd , a two year old which sold for 1950 gns to Ioan Roberts, Tryfil Isaf, Llanerchymedd, Ynys Mon.

The reserve Champion Maiden Heifer was two year old Hafodesgob Gwenan 18 th , sold for 1200 gns to Cilwrgi Farm, Coed-y-Paen, Pontypool .

Reserve champion female was Neuadd Purren 56 th a two and a half year old in calf heifer sold for 1100 gns again to Nigel Birt-Llewellin. The prize-winning heifer was bred and sold by Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth. He sold another two in calf heifers for 1000 gns a head, Neuadd Ethel 229 th to Dylan Morgan, Alltgoch, Talybont, in Ceredigion and another to Messrs Jones, Hendre Dolwyd, Gwynedd.

The 3 rd prize winner in the female class was Brysgaga Mari 45 th , a two and a half year old in-calf heifer bred by Mr Rowland Rees, Brysgaga, Bow Street , near Aberystwyth, that was sold for 1500 gns to Nigel Birt-Llewellin. He also bought a second in-calf heifer, Brysgaga Mari 46 th , from Mr Rowland Rees, for 1500 gns.

Mr Rees sold four heifers averaging 1200 gns. The highest priced cow with calf at heel was Foty Rhonwen, a four and half year old cow with her four and a half month old heifer calf at heel, that sold for 1300 gns.

The organic status bred pair were bought by Messrs I D and R C Watts, Park View, Nanteris, Ogmore, Bridgend. The cow and calf was bred and sold by Bini Jones, Ty Isaf Farm, Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, who also sold an in-calf heifer, Foty Alaw, for 1220 gns, to Mr Watts from Bridgend.

A 17 month old heifer, Mynach Gwyneth, bred by Messrs A and R C Williams, Pentre, Cwmtirmynach near Bala, was sold for 1060 gns to Messrs Lloyd, Y Felin, Llandysul, Ceredigion.

Highest price for a weaned calf was 610 gns, for a six month old calf belonging to Mr T W Williams, Caerynwch Fawr, Dolgellau, which was to A Roberts, Ty Nant, Bala.

The Reserve Champion Bull was Bro-Waen Erddyn 2 nd , a two year old, weighing 875 kg, owned by Alwyn Morris of Merddyn, Ceunant, Llanrug, Caernarfon, which was sold for 2700 gns to Cilwrg Farm, Coed-y-Paen, near Pontypool.

Chief Executive of the Welsh Black Cattle Society Andrew James said:

“Farmer confidence has been dented by foot and mouth disease and bluetongue, resulting in 40 fewer animals registered for the sale with only 76 this year, down from 107 last year.

“Quality cattle were well represented with a herd health status meaning that buyers were spoilt for choice. The society wishes to congratulate its members for the high number of outstanding cattle during the autumn season.”

Show results

Champion Female – Hafodesgob Mai 15 th

Sold – Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons, Hafod-yr-Esgob Isaf, Bala

Bought – Mr Nigel Birt-Llewellin, Rosehill, Slebech, Haverfordwest

Reserve Champion Female – Neuadd Purren 56 th

Sold – Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth

Bought – Mr Nigel Birt-Llewellin, Rose Hill, Slebech, Haverfordwest

Champion Maiden Heifer – Hafodesgob Molly 93 rd

Sold – Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons, Hafod-yr-Esgob Isaf, Bala

Bought – Mr Ioan Roberts, Tryfil Isaf, Llanerchymedd, Ynys Mon

Reserve Champion Heifer – Hafodesgob Gwenan 18 th

Sold – Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons, Hafod-yr- Esgob Isaf, Bala

Bought – Olwrgi Farm, Coed-y-Paen, near Pontypool

Champion Bull – Seisiog Bedwyr 139 th

Bred and exhibited – Mr Goronwy Jones a'ir? cwmni, Ty Newydd Nebo, Llanrwst, Gwynedd

(Bull not sold)

Reserve Champion Bull – Bro-Waen Erddyn 2 nd

(two year old, weighing 875 kg, sold for 2700 gns)

Sold – Mr Alwyn Morris, Merddyn, Ceunant, Llanrug, Caernarfon

Bought – Cilwrg Farm, Coed-y-Paen, near Pontypool

Averages

Females over 3 years - 7 @ 779 gns/head

Females 2 – 3 years – 26 @ 950 gns/head

Females 1 – 2 years – 31 - @ 561 gns/head

75 females averaged 692 gns/head

Dispersal Sale of the Ardudwy Herd (took place before official society sale)

Twenty one females were sold under the instruction of Mr Geraint Wynne, Meifod Uchaf, Dyffryn, Andudwy, near Harlech, who is retiring from farming.

The top price of 1600 gns was paid for Ardudwy Ethel, a 3 ½ year old cow with her bull calf at heel, bought by Mr David Jones, Top Farm, Gwespyr, Holywell in Flintshire.

Ardudwy Gwyddfid 3 rd , a 3 ½ year old with a bull calf at heel was bought by Mr Denzil Evans, Cwmmawr, Tumble, Llanelli for 1300 gns.

Mr P Newman from Birkenshaw, North of England, paid 1420 gns for Ardudwy Ebrillwen 2 nd with her heifer calf at heel and also bought three cows with calves at heel averaging 1107 gns a head.

Highest priced maiden heifer was Ardudwy Gwenhwyfar, an 18 month old, that was sold for 660 gns to Mrs Christine Carberry, Maple Crest, New Inn, Llandeilo.

Averages

9 cows with calves at heel – 943 gns/head

5 cows/heifers in calf – 602 gns/head

7 maiden heifers – 583 gns/head

Total 21 females – 742 gns/head