5 December 2004
Smithfield marks the end of Welsh Blacks' best ever year
The Welsh Black Cattle Society rounded off their most successful ever year with more wins at this year's Royal Smithfield Show last week (2 – 5 December).

Four members of the Society took five steers to the bi-annual Christmas fatstock show, held at London's Earl's Court, and came home with plenty of prizes.

First in the Welsh Black class was 19 month old Fodlas Cadwaladr, bred and exhibited by Meredydd and Nerys Ellis of Hafod Ifan, Ysbyty Ifan, Betws-y-Coed. Weighing 478 kg, it was sold for £956 - £2.00/kg - to butcher William Lloyd Williams of Machynlleth. The five steers averaged £845 a head.

Second place went to the 17 month old Pennant Tom, also from Betws-y-Coed, weighing 538kg and sold for £807 (£1.50/kg); while 26 month old Berthlwyd Brenin from Pwllheli weighing 542 kg scooped third and was sold for £975 or £1.80/kg. Fourth was Sex Bomb, a Welsh Black crossbred steer from Banbury, who at a whopping 808kg was recorded as the heaviest steer at this year's Royal Smithfield Show, and received the Very Highly Commended card. It was sold for £888 or £1.10/kg.

“The Fodlas breeding was strongly associated with the 2004 fatstock Welsh Black steers,” says Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive Andrew James. “Both exhibits from the Fodlas and Pennant Tom were sired by Fodlas Pennant. Also the junior first prize winner at the Welsh Winter Fair was sired by the Fodlas stock bull!”

The Welsh Blacks went on to be very highly commended in the Pure Breed Championship with Fodlas Cadwaladr shortlisted to the top four from the initial group of 11.

There were further honours in the Best Group of Three Pure Breed Steers where the Welsh Blacks were Reserve Champions, second only to the Aberdeen Angus out of eight groups.

“With only four pure breeds at the show our group of three reserve champions did very well,” says Andrew James. “It confirms yet again the quality of our cattle. It has been a great week for the Society and the best ever year for the breed.”

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