8 May 2005
"Quality sells" at Dolgellau Spring Show and Sale
Welsh Black cattle were once again among the winners and top sellers at the 48th Annual Spring Show and Sale at Dolgellau on Friday, May 6th, 2005.

The highest priced Welsh Black bull and Reserve Champion in the pre-sale show was 19 month-old Gwern-Cynyddion Cai 2nd, selling for 4,000gns and weighing 775kgs with a daily live weight gain of 1.37kgs.

The bull was bred and sold by Robert John Evans of Gwern-Caernyddion, Llanbedr, Gwynedd to Mr R.ap.Simon Jones,. Ysguboriau, Tywyn, Gwynedd,

It was the fourth consecutive year that Mr Evans, whose Gwern-Cynyddion herd was established in 1972, has sold the highest priced bull at the Dolgellau Spring Sale.

“This just goes to show that well bred and quality bulls presented at the sale will always be sought after and will be sold. Quality cattle will always sell,” said Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive, Andrew James.

Meanwhile, Mr Evans went on to sell a second bull – Gwern-Cynyddion Rhys 34th – for 3,100gns.

The 20 month-old bull, a third prize winner in his class weighed 695kgs with a daily live weight gain of 1.16kgs, was bought by Messrs Roberts, Kyff, Llandrothen, Gwynedd.

The Champion Bull was Neuadd Dafydd Ddu 217th, 23 months-old and weighing 835kgs (daily live weight gain 1.23kgs) which was sold by Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth to Robert Edwards, Brynsion, Dinas Mawddwy, Machynlleth for 3,300gns.

A second prize winner in his class was the 2 year-old, Mynach Rhys 2nd, and weighing 875kgs (daily live weight gain 1.17kg) . Bred by Messrs A & RC Williams, Pentre, Cwmtirmynach, Bala, the bull was sold for 2,900gns to Alun Evans, Fron Uchaf Farm, Llanboidy, Carmarthenshire.

Another 2 year-old, Brysgaga Erddyn 48th, a third prize winner, sold for 2,700gns. Weighing 740kgs (daily live weight gain 1.01 kg) he was bred by Rowland Rees, Brysgaga, Bow Street, Aberystwyth, and sold to Mr W D Jenkins, Penpompren Uchaf, Talybont, Ceredigion.

The highest priced Welsh Black female was the 3 year-old in-calf heifer, Neuadd Caran Ddu 304th.

Bred by Mr D William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth, she was bought by Hefin Jones, Llwynsarn, Rhydymain, Dolgellau for 1,450gns.

“William Jenkins, whose family have bred Welsh Blacks since the 1870s, is a regular exhibitor of pedigree bulls and females at Society sales,” said Andrew James.

“Like John Evans of Gwern-Caerynddion, Mr Jenkins has produced the highest priced female – either in-calf or with calf at foot – for the past five consecutive Society May sales Dolgellau.

“When one looks at the sale history records the same bloodlines from the same breeders attract buyers back to purchase more cattle based on satisfaction of previously bought stock.

“Both the Neuadd and Gwern-Caerynddion herds are clear examples of such successful stories within the Society records.”

The Champion Female was Foty Maia 4th, a 34 month-old organic in-calf heifer, which was bred by Mrs Bini Jones, Ty Isaf Farm, Llan Ffestiniog, and sold for 980gns to junior judge, Meirion Botwood, Y Felin, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion.

A 3 year-old heifer with her Limousin cross bred calf at heel sold for 1,150gns. Mynach Non 8th was bred by Messrs A & RC Williams, Pentre, Cwmtirmynach, Bala, and sold to Mr R E Parry, Rhosgoch, Anglesey.

The highest priced maiden heifer and Reserve Champion maiden heifer title went to the 13 month-old Ardudwy Ciros 2nd. Bred and sold by Geraint Lloyd Wynne, Meifod Uchaf, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, she was bought by Mr A.P. & Mrs N.W.Jones, Fron Alchen, Dolgellau for 1,200gns.

The 2 year-old heifer, Neuadd Addawel 12th, fetched 1,000gns for Mr William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth, when she was bought by Messrs Jones, Hendre, Dolwyddelan, Gwynedd.

Finally the Champion Maiden Heifer was Powys Dilys 9th. Bred by Messrs H&H Howells, Goetre, Llanerfyl, Welshpool, the 23 month-old maiden heifer was sold by Ms Emily Evans, Tynshettin, Llanwddyn, Oswestry for 960gns to James M.Jones, Factory Cottage, Star, Gaerwen, Anglesey.

Commenting on the day’s prices and averages, Andrew James said, “Of the 50 pedigree Welsh Black animals entered, 43 were forwarded and 33 sold averaging 1,056gns. When compared to the 2004 sale when 29 animals were sold the average is down 525gns a head.

“However, while the averages are interesting to view, the commission and levies for the Society were in fact only down £232.75.”

On a herd health note he added, “It was good to see that some 64% of the Welsh Black entries were from herds that have been certified monitored free of Johne’s Disease, something the Society has been working hard to achieve, and this is a very encouraging figure.”

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