May 22nd, 2007

DYFFRYN HERD GOES UP FOR SALE AS CENNYDD HEADS DOWN UNDER

As he prepares to embark on an antipodean adventure young Ceredigion farmer Cennydd Eynon is next month (June) putting his herd of pedigree Welsh Black cattle up for sale.

The 23 year-old who farms at Golygfa, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, established the Dyffryn Herd in 2000 with Castell, Cennen, Iwrch, Trefaes and Neuadd bloodlines forming the females, and the Iwrch herd forming the bulls.

His decision to sell the majority of his herd has resulted from his plans to take a year out to visit Australia and New Zealand .

“I chose Welsh Blacks because they are easy to handle, there is a niche market for the beef, and because it is Wales ' native breed of cattle,” says Cennydd.

The sale on June 2 nd at Llandovery at 11am will consist of approximately 90 females and the senior stock bull Iwrch Banner.

Forty females will be with their spring calves at heel, or in calf; along with 35 maiden heifers and 11 heifers running with the bull.

Some of the calves sold with their dams have been sired by Iwrch Mr Tee, which was bought at the WBCS January sale in 2006 for 10,600gns from Alun Vaughan, Moel Iwrch Uchaf, Nebo near Llanrwst.

But Cennydd is not selling Iwrch Mr Tee, who will be staying on the farm with a couple of heifers which will one day form the basis of a new herd.

The herd is certified accredited free of BVD (since May 2006) and has been certified monitored free of Johne's disease (since February 2003).

“Cennydd has bred the herd for its characteristics, its conformation, and longevity – especially the feet, legs, teats and udder attachments. There is tremendous demand for pedigree breeding Welsh Black cattle and I am sure it will be great sale with particular interest in Mr Tee's offspring,” said Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive, Andrew James.

The WBCS Council has linked up at the sale with Hybu Cig Cymru to provide information on the Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Project and to provide information on and to promote the latest beef breeding development schemes and highlight the importance of performance recording of cattle. HCC's Industry Development Manager, Prys Morgan, will be on hand to discuss these issues with WBCS members.

Catering on the day will be courtesy of Mrs May Nixon of the Welsh Black Steakhouse of Builth Wells.

The auctioneers will be Clee, Tompkinson and Francis, Llandovery.

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Photo:

Cennydd Beynon and his Dyffrryn herd

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111

Prys Morgan, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales

Tel: 01970 625050

Clee, Tompkinson & Francis

Tel: 01550 720440

Distributed by:

Sheila Coleman

Coleman Roberts Communications

Tel: 01792 817532 / 07968 357474

sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk

www.colemanroberts.co.uk