Thursday 20 April 2006
Flying trade at new pedigree only Welsh Black sale
It was registered pedigree Welsh Black store cattle only at the Welsh Black Cattle Society's first spring sale of 2006 at Llandovery yesterday (Wednesday 19 April).

It was the first time that the society had not sold non-pedigree and commercial cross bred cattle collectively at a sale.

The move is in response to buyer demand for registered pedigree cattle that can prove their authenticity and traceability by providing a pedigree certificate.

Hailing the sale a great success, society Chief Executive Andrew James said: “The new format of selling only pedigree store steers and heifers has proven its worth and will be the structure of future store sales in South Wales.

Forty nine pedigree Welsh Black stores went under the hammer and were inspected prior to the sale to determine the prize winners judged under five categories. They were judged by Philip Arrowsmith, procurement officer for Cig Calon Cymru Cyf, and the society's deputy young ambassador Aled John. The competition was sponsored by Tithebarn.

Bidding was brisk, with cattle reaching up to £750 a head. The 49 animals were forwarded by 14 vendors and bought by 11 buyers.

Top pence per kilo price of the day was achieved by a pen of three 12 month old steers sold by John and Janet Dimmery-Seek of Higher Farm, East Horrington, Wells, Somerset. The three weighed 400kg and made £570 a head, or £1.43 per kg. They were bought by Gary Yeomans of Pant Farm, Llanvefthenine, near Abergavenny.

That price was closely followed by a pair of 12 month old steers weighing 405 kg each which were sold by the Dimmery-Seeks for £575 each, or £1.42 per kg, to Welsh Hook in Haverfordwest.

Three 24-month old pedigree heifers weighing 506kg each sold for £690 a head.

“At £1.36 a kg, the consignment was bred and sold by Alun Davies of Brynyreglwys, Llanfynydd in Carmarthenshire were bought by a potential new society member Wyn Jones of Pantybettws, Bettws near Ammanford. Mr Jones is going out of milk and into beef, and has purchased his foundation stock with the intention of breeding a pedigree Welsh Black beef herd,” said Andrew James.

“The pedigree certificate costs only £3 a head, and this small cost is more than justified when looking at today's results and prices,” he added.

Results

Best pen of 4 or more steers (£30 prize)

Four steers weighing 570kg sold for £750 head. The 23 month old steers were sold by Walter Evans, Gelly Farm, Llanycrwys, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire and were bought by F J Layton, Nantleach, Llanddewi, Llandrindod Wells.

Best pen of steers (£20 prize voucher)

Three steers aged 22 months weighing 583 kg were sold for £735 a head. Forwarded by TW and EA Davies, Brynonnen, Nanternis, Newquay, Ceredigion, they were bought by Welsh Hook, Haverfordwest. The couple sold eight organic steers averaging £681 head.

Best single steer (£20 prize voucher)

The single steer aged 20 months weighed 590 kg and was sold for £740. Bred and sold by DG and B Thomas, Aberdyfnant, Llanddeusant, near Llangadog in Carmarthenshire, it was bought by Mr Thomas of Ffoshelyg.

Best heifer (£20 prize voucher)

A 24 month old heifer outwintered and fit for breeding weighing 390kg was sold for £445. Bred by young farmers DK and AP Davies, Ty Rosser, Pentregwenlais, Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, the heifer was bought by Mr Williams of Bankside, Llandimore.

Best steer under 12 months (£10 prize voucher)

An 11 month old steer weighing 390 kg was sold for £500 by Alun and Wendy Jacob, Twll y Gwddil, Craig Cefn Parc near Swansea and was bought by Mr Thomas of Ffoshelyg.