2 November 2005
Sambo tops the trade at Dolgellau Sale
Welsh Black Cattle Society Bull of the Year, Penwernhir Sambo bagged another accolade yesterday (November 1) – top price at the Society's Autumn Show and Sale at Dolgellau.

The 26 ½ month old home-bred bull led the market selling for 4,800gns, and took first place in the senior bull class and Reserve Champion Bull.

Sired by Chwaen Erddyn 137th and out of Neuadd Ethel 137th he was sold by Society Life Member Doug E Rowbotham, Penwernhir, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ystrad Meurig who established his Penwernhir herd in 2001. He was bought by Messrs E W and M Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont, Ceredigion.

The overall Champion Bull and first prize winner in the junior class was Hafodesgob Cai. At 16 ½ months of age and with a 1.35kg daily live weight gain the bull who was sired by Llwynsarn Cawr and out of Hafodesgob Gwen 8 th was sold for 3,200gns.

Bred by Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons, Hafod-yr-Esgob Isaf, Bala, the bull was bought by Dafydd Jenkins, Tanyrallt, Talybont, Ceredigion.

Coincidentally the two prize winning bulls were bought by two brothers on neighbouring farms in Talybont. Enoch Jenkins farms at Tynygraig, while Dafydd farms at Tanyrallt. Both run organic farms and are Society life members.

Selling for 2,200gns was Ysguboriau Bleddyn 38 th (born 14/1/01). Sired by Ysguboriau Llewelyn 28 th and out of Ysguboriau Nesta 11 th , the bull was bred by Mr R ap Simon Jones, Ysguboriau, Tywyn, and sold by Mr T W Williams, Caerynwch Farm, Dogellau.His buyers John Straughan, Hill Head Farm, Dalton near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Percy Telfer, Chapel Farm Stamfordham, travelled the length of the country to the sale.

The neighbouring farmers made their choice of bull on the offspring which were also for sale – 5 weaned calves which were a major attraction.

The second prize winner in the senior class was Nant Tomos 8 th (born 8/04/03) selling for 2,100gns to Gwyn Ogwen Thomas, Blaen y Nant, Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, Gwynedd.

Bred by Gwyn Jones, Nant Gwyn, Eglwys Bach, Colwyn Bay , the bull was sired by Bro-waen Tomos and out of Nant Gwenno 2 nd .

Leading the female trade at 2,800gns was Seisiog Meriel 45 th , a 2 year old maiden heifer sired by Mynydd Morgan and out of Seisiog Meriel 40 th .

She was bred and sold by Goronwy Jones a'i Gwmni, Ty Newydd, Nebo, Llanrwst.

The second prize winner in her class she was sold to Dafydd Edwards, Plas y Bryniau, Bethania, Llanon.

Close to the heels of her sibling was the first prize winner and overall Champion Maiden Heifer, Seisiog Dwynwen 60 th .

The 23 month old maiden heifer sold for 2,7009gns and was sired by Mynydd Morgan and out of Seisiog Dwynwen 50 th . Bred and sold by Goronwy Jones a'i Gwmni, she was bought by young farmer Trevor Shanklin, Canol Dref, Llawhaden, Narberth, whose Cwm-Canol herd was established in 2002.

Like father like son, Emyr Jones, Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst, sold the next heifer for 2,600gns.

The third prize winner, Graig-Goch Ceri 14 th , a 15 ½ month old maiden heifer, was sired by Mynydd Major and out of Graig-Goch Ceri 3 rd .

She was bought by farmers and international singer, Dafydd Edwards, Plas-y-bryniau, Bethania, Llanon.

Emyr Jones also went on to sell the Reserve Champion Maiden Heifer, the 17 month old Graig-Goch Bet 42 nd for 1,600gns.

Sired by Mynydd Major and out of Graig-Goch Bet 23 rd , she was bought by Messrs H & S Lloyd, Felin, Dihewyd, Lampter.

Another maiden heifer, Machreth Bethan 4 th , sold for 1,650gns. The 20 month old was sired by Hafodesgob Mered and is out of Machreth Bethan. She was bred and sold by Lewis R Williams, Tyddyn Back, Llanfachreth, Dolgellau, and bought by Mr & Mrs Chris Thorpe, Yew Tree House, Lucton near Leominster, Herefordshrie.

Completing the maiden heifer top prices and selling for 1,400gns was Brysgaga Eirian 33 rd . The 19 month old was sired by Neuadd Hebog 151 st and is out of Brysgaga Eirian 25 th . Bred and sold by Rowland Rees, Brysgaga, Bow Street , Ceredigion, she was bought by Malcolm & Glenys James, Penybryn, Henllan Amgoed, near Whitland.

The highest priced heifer and Champion Female was Hafodesgob Agnes 51 st (born 10/06/03). The in-calf heifer was sired by Fodlas Peredur 3 rd and out of Hafodesgob Agnes 26 th . Bred and sold by Mrs Gwenfair Jones & Sons, she sold for 2,000gns to young farmers Keith and Janet Thomas, Tycoch, Dryslwyn, Carmarthenshire who joined the Society this year.

Neuadd Ethel 209 th (born 04/04/03) another in-calf heifer sold for 1,900gns. Sired by Caerynwch Meirion 2 nd and out of Neuadd Ethel 191 st she was bred by D William Jenkins Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth, and bought by D. Glyn Thomas, Aberdyfnant, Llanddeusant, Llangadog.

Meanwhile, the highest priced heifer with calf at heel was Hafodesgob Branwen 49 th , with her heifer calf at heel sold for 1,250gns.

The 3 ½ year-old was sired by Fodlas Peredur 3 rd and was out of Hafodesgob Branwen 34 th . Bred and sold by Mrs Gwenfair Jones & Sons and bought by new Society member Geraint Jones Lewis, Rhydygof Isaf, Lampeter.

Finally in the under 1 year sale section a 7 month-old calf – Caerynwch Mai 70 th – sold for 840gns.

Just weaned from its dam, Caerynwch Mai 57 th and sired by Ysguboriau Bleddyn 38 th , the calf was bred and sold by Mr T W Williams, Caerynwch Farm, Dogellau, and bought by Mrs Lyn Foxwell, Tyddyn Rhyddid, Harlech.

“A healthy interest from farmers across the country confirms the demand for hardy beef cattle whose mothering ability is second to none,” said Welsh Black Cattle Society chief executive, Andrew James.

“Buyers at the sale varied from new members, young farmers, and commercial breeders to the pedigree cattle farmers who breed to show cattle. On the whole it was a good sale.”