The judges – Trevor & Eirwen Jones, CwmCae, Bow Street , Aberystwyth – visited a total of 19 farms which have organic Welsh Black cattle (18 in Wales and 1 in Wiltshire).

The prize money and certificates were presented by Bob Kennard, director of Graig Farm Organics. First prize winners received £25, second prize £15 and third prize £10.

Judge Trevor Jones, who farms conventionally at CwmCae, said he had seen “many good herds and excellent cattle”, however he said in order to sire elite young stock all herds need to invest in top quality bulls.

In light of Mr Jones' report, next year's competition will also feature a best stock bull class, said WBCS Chief Executive, Andrew James.

“It is imperative that we respond to comments made to improve herds,” said Mr James.

“A bull can be valued as being at least 60% of a herd and therefore second class and inferior breeding bulls will make no progress in any herd.”

During its first two years the Club received grant support from the Welsh Development Agency and over the past 12 months has received help from the Organic Centre Wales so that members have been able to continue to establish networks and build contacts within the food industry and marketing Welsh Black Beef.

The end of 2005 also saw John James, Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm Uchaf, Nantgaredig re-elected as Club chairman, and he will serve a second term in office.

A staunch supporter and promoter of organic food and farming, Mr James farms with his wife Hazel and sons Dafydd and Gruffydd selling their organic Welsh Black Beef direct to consumers via their boxed beef system.

NOTES TO EDITORS
The WBCS Organic Club was established at the 2001 Royal Welsh Winter Fair. It has received support from WBCS Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, whose Duchy of Cornwall estate at Highgrove is organic.

The Club's founding chairman was Brian Thomas, Plas Coedana, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey , who has diversified into the butcher trade selling Welsh Black Beef and Welsh Lamb, and runs Beef Direct with his wife Fiona.

The chairmanship then passed to Mrs Elizabeth Rees, Cae Mawr farm, Llanbedr, Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin who farms with her husband Tony. Their Rhys herd was certified as the first herd in the Society to receive elite status in the herd health scheme, their herd being certified free of Johne's disease, IBR, BVD and Leptospirosis.

For further information contact: Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society Tel: 01982 551111