The Welsh Black Cattle Society celebrated a milestone today, clocking up half a century of sales at Dolgellau.

Leading the trade at Dolgellau Market – often referred to as the ‘Capital of the Welsh Blacks' – were the bulls, with five selling for 4,000gns and above.

The 50th Winter Sale at Dolgellau was a special day too for WBCS President and local farmer, Evan Tudor, who has supported the sale for 50 years; and who welcomed everyone to the event.

The January Dolgellau sale is recognised as a being a bull sale and therefore it was no surprise that 21 bulls were sold, the way led by top priced animal Iwrch Mr Tee. The 17 month old home bred bull was sold by Alun Vaughan, Moel Iwrch Uchaf, Nebo, Llanrwst to young farmer Cennydd Eynon, Golygfa, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn for 10,600gns. Sired by Gwern-Cynyddion Rhys30 th and out of Iwrch-Nesta 56th he will be the stock bull for the Dyffryn herd which was established in 2000.

But Mr Vaughan didn't go home alone – he paid 10,000gns for Gwern-Cynyddion Cai 4th , a 21 month-old bull bred and sold by Robert John Evans, Gwern-Caernyddion, Llanbedr, Gwynedd. Sired by Machreth Cai 7 th (AI) and out of Gwern-Cynyddion Carol, Gwern-Cynyddion Cai 4 th was the Reserve Champion Bull at the pre-sale show.

Machreth Banner 4th , a 22 month old bull from Lewis R Williams, Tyddyn Bach, Llanfachreth, Dogellau, sold for 9,000gns. Sired by Hafodesgob Mered and out of Machreth Branwen 4th , the bull was bought by Robert Roberts, Dysefin, Llanegryn, Tywyn.

The Champion Bull was Gwarcwm Meirion 10 th , which sold for 4,300gns. The home bred 22 month-old bull from Huw Jones, Llety Cynnes, Bow Street , Aberystwyth was sired by Foel Meirion 4 th and is out of Cwmcae Ester 58th. He was bought by Simon Lloyd Williams, Moelglomen, Bontgoch, Talybont, Ceredigion.

At 4,000gns Caran Seraff 3rd was bought by Idris Roberts, Pennant, Ysbyty Ifan, Betws-y-Coed, Gwynedd. Bred by Dilwyn Bennett Jenkins, Cerrigcaranau, Talybont, Ceredigion, the 22 month-old bull was Junior Champion Bull at the 2005 Royal Welsh Show. He was sired by Rhydygarnedd Seraff 2nd (AI) and is out of Caran Lady 9th.  

Completing the line-up of the six top priced bulls was Brysgaga Hebog sold by Rowland Rees, Brysgaga, Bow Street, Aberystwyth. Sired by Neuadd Hebog 151st and out of Brysgaga Addawel 32nd , the 22 month-old bull was sold for 3,700gns to Messrs Howard and Evans, Glancapel Farm, Nanygaredig, Carmarthenshire.  

The Champion Maiden Heifer was Graig-Goch Ceri 15th . The 16 month-old fetched 1,450gns for Emyr Jones, Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst.

The leading female was bought by assistant judge in the bull section – 14 year-old Angharad Francis, Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire.  

Meanwhile, the Reserve Champion Maiden Heifer – Seisiog Meriel 47th – was sold for 1,350gns to Messrs Cotton, Ciliau Ganol Farm, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire. The heifer, which was sired by Mynydd Morgan and is out of Seisiog Meriel 25th, was bred by Goronwy Jones a'i Gwmni, Tynewydd, Nebo, Llanrwst.  

The other top priced female was Ynysfor Rose 2nd . The maiden heifer was sired by Gwern-Cynyddion Meirion 2 nd (AI) and is out of Rhydygarnedd Rose 63rd. Sold by Ken Ellis a'i Feibion, Ynysfor, Bryncrug, Tywyn, she was bought for 1,400gns by Dafydd Edwards, Plas y Bryniau, Bethania, Llanon, Ceredigion.  

WBCS Chief Executive, Andrew James said the day definitely belonged to the bulls. “There is an excellent demand for quality bulls and the trade reflected how farmers are willing to pay top prices for elite bulls.  

“What is equally encouraging for the Society is the volume of enthusiasm and interest by the Society's young members to purchase cattle in their own names and establish a pedigree Welsh Black breeding herd. Irrespective of what may lie ahead I'm confident that with young farmers breeding quality and healthy cattle the future looks promising for the WBCS.”

RESULTS
Highest Priced Bull – Iwrch Mr Tee – 10,600gns
Sold by: Alun Vaughan, Moel Iwrch Uchaf, Nebo, Llanrwst Bought by: Cennydd Eynon, Golygfa, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn

Champion Bull – Gwarcwm Meirion 10th – 4,300gns Sold by : Huw Jones, Llety Cynnes, Bow Street , Aberystwyth
Bought by : Simon Lloyd Williams, Moelglomen, Bontgoch, Talybont, Ceredigion

Reserve Champion Bull – Gwern Cynyddion Cai 4th – 10,000gns Sold by: Robert John Evans, Gwern-Caernyddion, Llanbedr Bought by: Alun Vaughan

Champion Maiden Heifer & Highest Priced Female – Graig-Goch Ceri 15th – 1,450gns
Sold by: Emyr Jones, Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst
Bought by: Angharad Francis, Pystyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire

Reserve Champion Maiden Heifer – Seisiog Meriel 47th – 1,350gns
Sold by: Goronwy Jones a'i Gwmni, Tynewydd, Nebo, Llanrwst
Bought by: Messrs Cotton, Ciliau Ganol Farm, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire

AVERAGES
16 Bulls (over 18 months) 3,150gns
5 Bulls (12-18months) 3,550gns 21 Bulls sold averaging 3,245gns/head  
3 Females (over 3 years) 550gns 16 Females (2-3 years) 716gns 27 Females (1-2 years) 671gns
7 Females (under 1 year) 480gns
53 Females sold averaging 653gns/head 
Total 74 animals averaged 1,148gns/head

AUCTIONEERS
Farmers Marts (RG Jones) Ltd, Dolgellau

NOTES TO EDITORS
Photos are available on request from: Arvid Parry Jones Tel: 01970 832423 For further information please contact: Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society Tel: 01982 551111

Farmers Marts (R.G.Jones Ltd) Tel: 01341 422334