13 October 2005
Annual autumn show and sale at Llandovery
A 28 month old in-calf heifer called Neuadd Caran Ddu 310th reached the highest price as champion female at yesterday's (Thursday 13 October) Welsh Black Cattle Society Autumn Show and Sale at Llandovery, reaching 3,400gns.

Sired by Neuadd Heboy and out of Neuadd Caran Ddu 251th, she was bred and sold by Mr D William Jenkins of Machynlleth and bought by Malcolm and Glenys James from Henllan Amgoed near Whitland.

There were 184 animals entered, of which 147 were forwarded and 118 sold. For bulls were sold averaging 1,375 gns while the females averaged 641 gns, down 451 gns from last year.

There were 44 females aged two to three years that averaged 810 gns, down 458 gns from last year, and the 43 one to two year olds averaged 546 gns, down 125 gns from 2004.

The downturn in prices since last year reflects the present uncertainty in the beef sector, explains Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive Andrew James.

“Whilst the trade in general was down, there was still great demand for quality cattle,” he says.

“The number of new buyers at the sale reflected the demand for the breed and we saw cattle bought travelling to Suffolk , Wiltshire, Shropshire, Hereford , as well as to Anglesey and Caernarfon.

“We had 100 new members join this year which shows the growing interest in Wales ' native breed.”

Highest Price Cow with Calf at Heel

Brysgaga Menna 46th born 9.9.02 sired by Ysgubociau Erddyn 45th and out of Brysgaga Menna 25th was sold for £997.50 with her bull calf and was also guaranteeed in calf again. Mr Rowland Rees, Brysgaga, Bow Street in Ceredigion sold them to Mr and Mrs Barry Carter, Llwyna Lands Farm, Llwyna Lane , Llantrissent, Usk.

Females 2- 3 years

 A 2nd prize winner and the reserve female champion and the pre sale show, lot 75 Brysgaga Mari 37th, a 29 month old in calf heifer sired by Ysgaborina Erddyn 45th and out of Brysgaga 27th was sold for 2000gns. Bred and exhibited by Mr Rowland Rees of Brysgaga, Bow Street , she was bought by Mr Ioan Roberts, Tryfil Isaf, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey .

Another 2nd card prize winner in her respective class was highly sought after. Lot 47 Cennen Anna 22nd born 16.1.03 and sired by Cerdin Dafydd and out of Cennen Anna 19th. She was sold by J R and D H Francis, from Llangadog and was bought by young member Mr Aled Thomas who farms with his parents at Llangybi.

The reserve champion maiden heifer Hafodesgob Nancy 23rd, a 26 month old sired by Fodlas Peredur 3rd and out of Hafodesgob Nancy 18th was bred and sold by Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons from Bala for 1,450 gns. She was bought by to farmers new to the society sale circuit – Mr Hugh Crossley from Suffolk , who bought eight animals in total.

Also buying Welsh Blacks for the first time was Mr Dewi Edwards of Llanwrda in Carmarthenshire. He paid 1,250 gns for Lot 84, Cryws Andura 4th, the 27 month old in-calf heifer sired by Crwys Hebogwr and out of Tyddewi Marged. She was sold by Mssrs Evans, Gelli, Llanycrwys, Llanwrda, who sold 10 females at the sale.

A first prize winner, Dolithon Dewen 10th, aged two and a half, sired by Brysgaga Madog 4th out of Dolithon Derwen 2nd, was bred and sold by Mr F J Layton of Llandrindod Wells for 1100 gns and was sold to Mssrs G W and R W Thomas of Anglesey.

Another 1st prize winner, in-calf heifer Cennen Peggy 53rd, born 20.11.02 was sired by Cerdin Dafydd and out of Cennen Peggy 43rd was sold for 1120 gns. She was bred and exhibited by Mssrs Francis of Gwyrfe and bought by Mr Hugh Crossley from Suffolk .

The Champion maiden heifer was Graig Goch Memi 42nd who won the J P Rees Brysgaga Memorial Perpetual Trophy including the Maes y Castell Perpetual Cup for the overall female champion. This 16 month old maiden heifer was sired by Mynydd Major and out of Graig Goch Memi 18th and was bred and sold by Mr Emyr Jones of Nebo near Llanwrst, for 200gns. She was bought by Mr Dafydd Edwards from Llannon in Ceredgion.

Mr Jones sold another maiden heifer, Graig Goch Marian 34th, 16 months old, sired by Mynydd Major and out of Graig Goch Marian 27th, for 1600gns, to Mr Wim Seelde from Llanybydder.

Bulls

The champion bull, also the youngest at the sale, was Hafodesgob Rhidian, a 14 ½ month old weighing 660kg with a 1.49kg daily liveweight gain, was sired by Fodlas Peredur 3rd out of Hafodesgob Agnes 31st. He was bred and sold by Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons, and was sold for 1,800 gns. He was purchased by Ian and Delyth John of Llanarthne.

The reserve champion bull was Sylen Huw, a 19 month old bull sired by Machreth Cai 8th and out of Rodd Beryl, that was bred and sold by Mr and Mrs G R Thomas from Felinfoel near Llanelli for 1500gns to Mr and Mrs W A T Jones of Builth Wells.

The third prize bull was Dancoed Cymro 6th, a 19 month old sired by Seisiog Cymro 61st (who was bull of the year in 2003 and 2004) and out of Dancoed Mair 3rd. The bull weighed 840kg and had a daily liveweight gain of 1.48kg and was sold to Mssrs D L Williams and son, near Lampeter, for 1200gns.

The fourth bull sold was Nantrhys Alun born 29.4.03, sired by Chwaen Erddyn 137th and out of Nantrhys Ann 2nd, who was bred and sold by Mr and Mrs Dai Jones of Llanilar, to Mr Brian Joseph from Shropshire .