Annual Pedigree Sale of Welsh Black cattle
A busy and enthusiastic ringside for the annual show and sale at the Monmouthshire Livestock Centre last Friday, the 15th Annual Welsh Black Cattle Sale with auctioneers J Straker, Chadwick & Sons, Abergavenny who were excellent as usual. There were good quality cattle, well presented and the Judge of the day was Mr Greg Willis of Cwmbran.
Taking top price of the day was the Champion Female, Alwen Ebrill 19th, an in calf heifer born April 2012, exhibited by Trefychan-ar-Daf Herd and shown by Ben Reynolds. She sold to DH and E Evans, Ffynonau, Llanllwni, Pencader for 2,250gns. The same buyers, who were wanting to buy the family bloodlines back into their herd, also bought the dam, Alwen Ebrill 15th with her June 2015 calf at foot, for 2,100gns.
The Reserve Champion Female from the Morgan /Cook family was Trefychan-ar-Daf Dilys 8th, born March 2011, with her bull calf at foot that sold to Williams Partners, Blackmill, Bridgend for 1,650gns.
The Champion Maiden Heifer award went to Mr and Mrs C Thorpe, Lucton Herd. Lucton Seren 23rd was born March 2014 and sired by Caerynwch Baron 11th. She sold for 1,500gns to B & A Walker and Sons, Ponsticill, Merthyr Tydfil. The Thorpe family also sold two other heifers, one at 1,220gns and the other at 1,090gns.
The reserve champion heifer was Gwarcwm Cati 21st from DH Jones, Llety Cynnes, Bow Street, Ceredigion. This was a June 2014 born heifer and she sold to ER Titterton, Wheaton Brooks, Milwick, Stafford for 1,160gns. The same purchasers also bought another heifer from the same stable for 1,080gns.
The Champion bull was from Gareth and Diane James, Tufton, Clarbeston Road. Syfni Warrior 5th, born Jan 2014, sold for 1,650gns to WJ Thomas, Llanfihangel Bryn Pabuan, Builth Wells. Gareth and Diane James also sold a cow and calf for 1,400gns.
The Top priced bull however was Llwynyrynn Major, from St Fagans, Cardiff. Born 2008, he was sold for 2,000gns to D Morgan, Talybont, Ceredigion. St Fagans also sold a cow and calf for 1,200gns, selling to L &G Jones, Trecorchy, and a maiden heifer for 1,150gns.
Maiden heifers sold well, all finding new homes and very few under the 1000gns mark.
DW & PE Evans, Llandefalle, Brecon sold heifers for up to 1,280gns.
D M Davies, Lower Cathedine, Bwlch, Brecon sold three maiden heifers with a top price of 1,040gns.
There was also strong interest in the quality store cattle on offer which peaked at over £2 a kilo.