Welsh Blacks to 3,400gns at Dolgellau market

The champion female at the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s 50^th autumn show and sale held at Dolgellau market topped the trade at 3,400gns. Bred by William P Jones of Tywyn, the 2½ year old heifer, Ysguboriau Vera 53^rd, was snapped up by Sion Wyn Jones for his Perthi herd based at Penisarwaun. The heifer, sired by Machreth Banner 7^th, is in-calf to the 11,000gns Caerynwch Major 4^th, and due to calve next spring.

The second highest price of the day was 3,000gns for Hafodesgob Branwen 65^th from Mrs Gwenfair Jones and Sons of Bala. The champion maiden heifer, sired by Llwynsarn Cawr, was purchased by Messrs P and A Moss of County Durham, who purchased a total of three females. Mrs Jones and Sons had another successful day at Dolgellau market, selling their other four entries for 1,720gns, 1,600gns, 1,550gns and 1,400gns respectively.

Messrs A and R C Williams, also of Bala, sold the 1^st prize winner, Mynach Gwyneth 28^th, to J P Owen a’i Gwmni of Gwytherin. The maiden heifer that was sired by Gwarcwm Max 22^nd fetched 1,650gns.

The fireworks continued when it came to selling the weaned calves, where there was an entry of 18. Caerynwch Mai 84^th, a six month old heifer sired by Caerynwch Ebrillwr 14^th, from Mr T W Williams of Dolgellau, sold for 920gns to a young breeder from Whitland, Mr Ben Morgans. Mr Williams sold another four weaned heifers on the day to give a respectable average of 694gns.

Close on the heels of Caerynwch Mai 84^th was Gwarcwm Ester 20^th from Mr D H Jones of Bow Street, which was reserve champion maiden heifer on the day. This stylish weaned heifer sired by Perthi Xavier sold for 790gns to Messrs P & A Moss of County Durham.

Another young breeder, Mr Carwyn Lewis of Llanybydder, paid 710gns for Bro-Waen Doli from Mr Alwyn Morris of Ceunant. This weaned heifer was sired by Graig-Goch Gerwyn 29^th.

There were eight bulls forward from an entry of ten. Buyers were cautious with Ynysfor Guto from Mr Ken Ellis a’i Feibion of Tywyn  selling for 2,500gns to W T Jones & Co. of Tywyn.

Society Council Chairman, Mr Robert Jones, commented that the cattle forward were of a high standard and that the female trade reflected the demand for quality animals by both pedigree and commercial breeders.    

Averages Over 3 years old – 2 at 1,475gns; 2-3- years old – 14 at 1,336gns; 1-2- years old – 15 at 970gns; Suckling calves – 17 at 598gns; Bulls over 18mths 3 at 1,900gns

Farmers Marts (RG Jones) Ltd, Dolgellau