17 October 2008

Demand for mature breeding stock at Llandovery sale

More than half the cattle sold at Llandovery Sale yesterday were in-calf heifers, showing that farmers want a quick return on their investment in the tough financial climate, says Welsh Black Society Chief Executive Andrew James.

There were 135 animals for sale, with 112 forwarded and 81 sold. The in-calf heifers averaged 1059 gns a head.

The highest priced bull at 3000 gns was 19 month old Cennen Arwel 6 th , who won third prize in the pre-sale show ring. He was bred and sold by Messrs JR and DH Francis, Tynywaun, Gwynfe, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire and bought by Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-y-Ynys, Taliesen, Machynlleth.

The Champion bull in the sale, and also the youngest - was 14 month old Graig Goch Twm 46 th , selling for 2300 gns. He was bred and sold by Mr Emyr Jones,, Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst and bought by Messrs Brian and Leslie, Marian Mawr Farm, Marianglas, Anglesey .

Two bulls shared the 2000 gns price tag, namely Neuadd Cawr 318 th , the reserve champion bull, and 21 month old Gros Goch Arthur, the 4 th prize winner in the pre-sale show ring.

Neuadd Cawr 318 th , a 24 month old bull bred and sold by Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr- Ynys was bought by a new breeder Miss Louise Alabaster, Gwenlais Uchaf Farm, Pontlliw near Swansea .

Gors Goch Arthur was bought by Mr Anthony Evans, Sker Cottages, Kenfig near Bridgend, from Mr and Mrs Ian John, Gors Goch, Cefn Abbey, Llanarthne near Carmarthen .

The highest priced female was Neuadd Addawol 136 th , a two and a half year old in-calf heifer bred and sold by Mr D William Jenkins for 1700 gns. The Champion Female also won Best Female at the show and sale, and was bought by Mr D Glyn Thomas, Aberdyfnant, Llanddeusant near Llangadog.

The highest priced cow and calf was an eight and a half year old cow with her seven month old calf, sold for 1600 gns. Mendip Millie is a home bred cow from John and Janet Dimery-Seek, Higher Farm, East Horrington, Wells in Somerset and was bought by Helen Fairclough, Aberithion near Newbridge-on-Wye, Powys.

Twenty eight month old Brynonnen Jenny 4 th , achieved the highest price for a maiden heifer at 1150 gns. She was bred by Messrs T W and E A Davies, Brynonnen, Nantemis, New Quay in Ceredigion. She was bought by Einion Jenkins, Ynys Creigiog, near Furnace in Machynlleth.

Eleven females averaging 1269 gns a head were sold by Wyn and Bethan Davies, whose organic Brynonnen herd was established in 1999, but are now retiring from cattle breeding.

Leading the top prices for the Brynonnen in-calf heifers was Brynonnen Briallen 7 th , a two and a half year old which sold for 1650 gns to Ronnie Griffiths, Nanty Farm, Pantmawr, Llanidloes, Powys.

Brynonnen Nerys 5 th was sold for 1650 gns to a new breeder, Huw Evans, Brynmawr, Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire. He bought four in-calf heifers from the Brynonnen herd, paying 1600 gns for Brynonnen Briallen 9 th , 1400 gns for Brynonnen Sali 4 th and 1400 gns for Brynonnen Undeg 5 th .

Both Brynonnen Meillionen 6 th and Brynonnen Briallen 8 th were sold for 1500 gns and 1450 gns respectively.

Purchasing their first Welsh Black heifer at the sale was John Price and his son Alan of Dyfadfa Isaf Farm, Gwynfe, near Llangadog. They bought four heifers, three of them in-calf, from the Cennen herd paying an average of 1180 gns a head.

Commenting on the sale, Chief Executive Andrew James said:

"A good trade was recorded for both the bulls and in-calf heifers producing higher averages this year compared to the sale in 2007.

"Demand was not for the maiden heifers, which in recent years has been the core of the sales at Llandovery. It is an indication of the more difficult economic climate that affects farmers. But there was demand for both organic and well-presented and well-bred cattle."

Averages

Category       No.   Average gns/head   Comparison 2007 price

Females over 3 years     18   778       up 64   

Females 2-3 years     35   1050       up 233

Female 1 - 2 years     22   635       up 116   

Females under 1 year   1   350       -

Bulls over 18 mths     3   2333       down 1367

Bulls 12 - 18 mths     2   1925       -

Total bulls and females   81   941       up 216

Notes to Editors

The next sale is at Dolgellau on Tuesday 4 November with 134 breeding animals for sale.

On Wednesday 5 November there will be a Rhaedr Herd Sale under instruction from Mrs Charmaine Middleton, which will take place at Old Hall, Dolau, Llandrindod Wells.

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111