Monday 20 August 2007

WEATHER FAILS TO MUDDY SHOW RING SUCCESS

It may have been one of the wettest show seasons for many years but that didn't stop Wales ' native cattle, the Welsh Blacks winning some of the most prestigious livestock awards in England and Wales.

ABOVE: Welsh Black Breed Winning Champion Heifer belonging to Michael Wyn Jones

Despite the torrential rain and mud Welsh Black cattle won the Best Native Breed title in the group of five competition at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh in early July.

With only six exhibitors representing the Welsh Black Cattle Society with their 14 entries the selected group of five were successful against the other 21 breeds in the interbreed beef class. It was a tremendous achievement for the

winning group which consisted of one bull, two breeding cows and two maiden heifers.

“We are delighted to win such a prestigious award, particularly as the Royal Show – like the Royal Welsh - attracts an international audience to whom we can demonstrate the breed's qualities,” said WBCS Chief Executive, Andrew James.

“Cattle export is an important outlet for the Society and as; from a communications point of view, the world is getting smaller the potential for Welsh Black cattle to thrive and expand in foreign counties becomes reality.

“The breed is moving forward in leaps and bounds and as we record endless show ring successes our future sales are hopefully improved with the knowledge that enquiries from new members and commercial breeders, which pay dividends when farmers are marketing their cattle.”

ABOVE: Winning team of five

The 2007 Royal Welsh Show may be remembered for the mud and rain, but for the Welsh Blacks it proved to be an excellent week.

The first day of the Show saw a 3 year-old home-bred in-calf heifer, Deniolen Non 12 th take the Reserve title in the Supreme Individual Beef competition.

Bred and exhibited by Meical Wyn Jones and his son Sion of Tyddyn Perthi, Penisarwen, Caernarfon, the heifer beat off competition from some 827 entries.

The following day the Welsh Black group of five won their NatWest sponsored class triumphing over 16 other groups. While on the Wednesday the breed was placed joint third in the Fitzhugh Trophy for best beef pair.

The week was rounded off by the retention of the Best Native Group of 3 championship. This Marks & Spencer sponsored title has been won by the Welsh Blacks for four consecutive years.

“Despite the weather and the difficulties it caused, we had a tremendous week in the show ring, “said Andrew James.

“This final win is particularly appropriate when you consider Marks & Spencer source Welsh Black beef from Cig Calon Cymru – the Camarthenshire abattoir run by WBCS member Enzo Sauro.

“At the end of the day the main purpose of showing is to market the breed and promote its multitude of attributes which current beef producers require. Quality beef is what Welsh Black Cattle have to offer and this has been confirmed time after time by independent chefs, restaurants and shops, who insist on buying it.”

Reflecting on the 2007 show season and looking to the future Mr James added, “While it is unfortunate that the shows have been cut short due to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Surrey it is anticipated that the Society's Autumn sales will enable existing and prospective cattle breeders the opportunity to buy quality pedigree Welsh Black Cattle.

“With this in mind we look forward to the first sale which is due to be held on September 29 th at Abergavenny market.”

ABOVE: Team of five with handlers, sponsors, judges and WBCS team