News Archive 2005
The future is 'black' as society membership reaches triple figures
The Welsh Black Cattle Society will be entering the New Year with added vigour having signed up its 100th member.
Marc Davies, who farms with his wife, Stephanie, at Crugymor, Penparc, Cardigan has been buying Welsh Black cattle for the past 12 months and decided now was the time to join the Society
The young couple, who have a one year-old son, Jack, now have 15 pedigree Welsh Black sucker cows and have chosen the herd pre-fix ‘Crugmor'. The 200 acre farm has been in the family for 20 years, and has been boosted by renting another 200 acres.
Their commercial sucker herd consists of 50 cows; they also fatten 150 commercial cattle, and have a 400 strong flock of mainly cross bred ewes – speckled face and Welsh with Texel tups.
Marc and Stephanie are looking to buy more Welsh Black cattle eventually taking the Crugmor herd up to 50, which will be kept separately from the commercial stock.
They also intend buying in less store cattle and become self sufficient with home bred cattle both replacements and fattened cattle.
“The Welsh Blacks have a marketing scheme and this is important to us, as production is linked to marketing,” said Marc.
“There is no point producing a product unless there is an outlet which offers a financial return, I believe the Welsh Black has what I want.”
He added, “We chose the breed as they are quiet, hardy and have an easy management system. The dam is renowned for its milk and mothering abilities. Above all I'm Welsh and I am proud to breed native beef cattle.”
WBCS Chief Executive, Andrew James said he was delighted the Society had reached its ‘ton'.
“It is tremendous that the Society has attracted its 100th member during the first year of its second century. During our centenary year in 2004 we looked back at the Society's achievements, and as someone who is responsible and accountable for the breed's improvement and progress I predict the future will be ‘black' – Welsh Black!”