8 May 2006
Welsh Blacks prepare for 'Oscars' ceremony
You're not likely to find Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts gliding down a red carpet, but there will be awards a plenty at the Welsh Black Cattle Society's prize ceremony this Saturday (May 13, 2006).

West Wales cattle have succeeded in taking top honours in the WBCS' prestigious Bull and Female of the Year competition with Penwernhir Sambo, and Eirianfa Ebrill taking the male and female titles respectively.

The awards are among several trophies and titles which will be presented at the event which includes the Society's annual general meeting.

“These awards are the equivalent of the Welsh Black's ‘Oscars', and are keenly contested throughout the year,” said WBCS Chief Executive, Andrew James.

Eirianfa Ebrill's performance in the show-ring over the 2005 season has earned the first calved heifer the title of Female of the Year as well as the National Westminster Bronze Bull for the highest number of points amassed during the six qualifying shows.

With 63 points under her belt, Eirianfa Ebrill, wins £150 and also the William Stow Innes Perpetual Trophy for her owners Messes A.E. and C Griffiths, Glandulais, Llangybi, Ceredigion.

The first reserve female, Rhyddid Gwenol wins £60 for Lyn Foxwell, Tyddyn Rhyddid, Harlech; while the second reserve prize of £40 goes to CwmCae Eirliw 89 th and her owner Trevor Jones, CwmCae, Bow Street , Aberystwyth.

The Bull of the Year title and £150 go to Penwernhir Sambo, owned by Doug Rowbotham, Penwernhir, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion.

First reserve and £60 goes to Messrs A Plumley & Co, Calveley Green Farm, Tarporley, Cheshire for the performance of Calveley Ewan.

While Syfni Ap Rhys' performance earns him second reserve and £40 for Messrs G & D James, Bernards Well Isaf, Tufton, Pembrokeshire.

The Large Herd of the Year trophy is presented to the member who sold most cattle at Society sales, received prize placings - including championship rosettes – and the highest priced cattle at the sales.

This year with 375 points the honour goes to Emyr Jones, Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst and the Graig Goch Herd.

While the Small Herd of the Year competition has been won by Ms Emily Evans, Tynshettin, Llanwddyn, Oswestry for the performance of the Hafren Herd.

The Ty'n-y-Bryn Challenge Cup is presented for the highest priced bull sold during 2005, and which goes to Emyr Jones, Graig Goch who sold Graig Goch Berwyn 17 th for 10,800gns.

The Caerberllan Perpetual Trophy goes to the vendor who sold the highest priced female during 2005. The award goes to William Jenkins, Neuadd-yr-Ynys, Taliesin, Machynlleth, who sold Caran Ddu 310 th for 3,400gns.

Goronwy Jones a'i Gwmni, Ty Newydd, Nebo, Llanrwst, Denbighshire receives the J.O. Pricthard Memorial Challenge Cup as the vendor who sold the highest priced heifer under two years. Seisiog Meriel 45th was sold for 2,800gns.

The breed champion at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Winter Fair receives the Castell Challenge Cup , which this year goes to Elfed Williams, Station Court, Sennybridge, Powys on the performance of CwmCynog Samantha, a 17 month-old home bred heifer.

Mr Williams also wins the Farmers Marts Award of £200 on the performance of the prize winning champion Welsh Black at the Winter Fair.

While £100 goes to Owen Bros, Bronferiaeth, Glan Conwy, Colwyn Bay for their senior steer which was reserve breed champion.

A further 14 members will each receive £45.45 in prize money sponsored by the Farmers' Union of Wales for the 22 pure pedigree Welsh Black cattle which were entered, exhibited, and sold at the Winter Fair.

“The Society acknowledges the support of all our sponsors** who have once again been very generous towards the Society, “said Andrew James.

** SPONSORS

NatWest Bank

c/o Martin Doyle

Farmers' Union of Wales Financial Services

c/o Emyr James, FUW

Farmers Marts (RG Jones)

c/o Dyfrig Siencyn

RESULTS

Female of the Year 2006 - Eirianfa Ebrill

Reserve Female - Rhyddid Gwenol

Bull of the Year 2006 – Penwernhir Sambo

Reserve Bull – Calveley Ewan

Large Herd of the Year – Graig Goch Herd

Small Herd of the Year – Hafren Herd

Ty'n-y-Bryn Challenge Cup – Graig Goch Berwyn 17 th

Caerberllan Perpetual Trophy – Neuadd Caran Ddu 310 th

J O Pritchard Memorial Challenge – Seisiog Meriel 45 th

Castell Challenge Cup – CwmCynog Samantha

Farmers Marts Award – Owen Bros.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Photos available on request:

Tel: 07968 357474

Captions:

Welsh Black Female of the Year 2005, Eirianfa Ebrill

Welsh Black Bull of the Year 2005, Penwernhir Sambo

COMPETITION DETAILS

Seventeen shows are selected as qualifiers, including the two Royals – the Royal Welsh and the Royal of England at Stoneleigh. Also included are the Shropshire and West Midlands Show, and seven shows each in North and South Wales .

Points are awarded as follows:-

Champion Bull & Female     6 points

Reserve champions       4 points

First       3 points

Second       2 points

Third           1 point

*NB Royal Show points are double value

While farmers are eligible to attend more than 8 shows, points are only considered for the top 8 shows whose points for an animal give the best overall average.

Judges are chosen by each agricultural show society from a list approved by the WBCS Council. Each judge is only allowed to judge at one of the 17 shows.

The highest placed male and female at the show receives £150 and a silver spoon – sponsored by NatWest.

While an animal may win at more than one show, it will only receive one spoon, the award being made to the next highest placed male or female. Therefore spoons are awarded to up to 17 males and 17 females during the competition.

First reserve winners receive £60, and those in second reserve £40.

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111

WBCS Caernarfon Office

Tel: 01286 672391

Farmers Marts (R.G.Jones Ltd)

Tel: 01341 422334