Record tumbles at Livestock Sale

Thursday marked another memorable day at Welshpool Livestock Sales when its pedigree cattle records were smashed.

Charolais met a solid commercial trade peaking at 7,500gns with the £4,013 average for 63 lots sold setting a new mark at the breed society’s autumn fixture.

“A quality show of bulls met a good level trade fuelled by the continued demand for Charolais cattle, a reflection of Charolais sired store cattle which have been attracting premium prices throughout the UK at the autumn suckled calf and store sales,” said the society’s David Benson.

SALE LEADER MONTGOMERY GWYLFA AT 7,500 GNS

Sale leader at 7,500gns was Montgomery Gwylfa TI +79, SRI +70, an 18 month old within the breed’s top 1%, sired by Blelack Digger and out of a homebred dam going back to Tullygarley Attaboy. Bred and exhibited by Gareth Roberts, Llangadfan, Welshpool he was knocked down sold to James and Alec Cowan, Synod Inn, Llandysul to run with their 120 cow suckler herd. “We selected Gwylfa for his figures, in particular eye muscle, growth and most importantly calving ease, ideal for leaving calves to go on to our bull finishing system which is focused on maximising growth efficiently in the shortest possible time,” Alec explained. For Gareth Roberts it was his highest price ever achieved in Welshpool for a bull bred from his 50 cow herd which is selectively targeting to be within the breed’s top10%.

MONTGOMERY GENERAL AT 6,500 GNS

Later in the day, Mr Roberts was in the money again when he sold for 6,500gns Montgomery General TI +57, SRI +49, another 18 month old Digger son and out of a homebred dam by Baggrave Loggo. The buyer was Alan Brookes, Gipsy Hall Farms, Wilmcote, Stratford upon Avon.

OLIVERS GILBRALTAR AT 7,200 GNS

The day’s second highest call at 7,200gns was made for the 20 month old Turney bred Olivers Gibraltar from Brian Jones, Heol Senni, Brecon to TJ Davies, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen. Sired by the 28,000gns Farleycopse Turbo, he was out of a Hamilton cow going back to Mortimers Robroy.

DEUNAWD GETHIN AT 7,000 GNS

Next at 7,000gns was Deunawd Gethin TI +33, SRI +30, a 17 month old Allanfauld Chieftain son and out of a Penfold dam by Cader Regal. Bred and exhibited by Wil Owen, Criccieth, he was purchased by MLL Howatson, Nantglyn, Denbigh. Two more 17 month old Chieftain sons from Mr Owen each secured a 5,000gns bid. First to go was Deunawd Greg TI +35, SRI +37 to RL Davies, Cwmtirmynach, Bala, while minutes later Deunawd Ger TI +45, SRI +43 was knocked down sold for 5,000gns to TJ Stephens, Cilfrew, Neath.

Llangrove General TI +54, SRI +41 was secured for 6,300gns by BA Williams, Treborth, Bangor. A 19 month old Sarkley Dakota son and out of a homebred dam by Killadeas Jack, he was bred and exhibited by LE and SA Phillips, Llangarron, Ross on Wye.

Four entries shared a 6,000gns price tag. First through the ring was Midas Geronimo TI +45, SRI +45 from father and son team, Roger and Drew Coppinger, Edstaston, Wem to EM Gittins, Menai Bridge, Anglesey. A Dingle Hofmeister son, he was out of a homebred dam by Moyness Maharajah, from their 20 cow herd.

The next 6,000gns bid was made by SI Jones, Llandrillo, Corwen for Caylers Goliath TI +41, SRI +40, a Clonoulty Andraemon son he was out of a homebred dam going back to Kelton Tribune from David and Louise Barker’s 30 cow herd based at Nuthampstead, Royston. Earlier on Goliath secured the third Welshpool championship for the Barkers after judge, Ian Bell identified him for his ‘scale and power’. “He is a modern Charolais combining great growth and fleshing, with a good back end and style.” However he added there was very little between Goliath and reserve champion, Moelfre Gerald TI +31, SRI +23, a 21 month old  by the 8,500gns Newhouse Chicago from Kevin Thomas, Llanstephan selling for 4,800gns to RA Elias, Garn Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd.

Mr Thomas secured the third 6,000gns bid for Moelfre Galileo TI +41, SRI +34, a 15 month old Chicago son and out of a homebred dam by Allanfauld Norseman. The buyer was AC Hughes, Pwllheli. A third Chicago son, Moelfre Grandprix TI +33, SRI +23 from Kevin Thomas commanded a 5,900gns bid. A 17 month old out of a homebred dam by Blelack Rommel, this first class prize winner was knocked down sold to RG Powell, New Radnor, Prestigne.

CASTELLMAWR GWYNEDD AT 6,000 GNS

The final 6,000gns call was made by BA Jones, Criccieth for Castellmawr Gwynedd, a 17 month old by the 55,000gns Sportsmans Columbo and out of a homebred dam from Alwyn Williams, Pistyll, Pwllheli.

SARKLEY GLENFIDDICH AT 5,000 GNS

Two more entries shared a 5,000gns price. The 16 month old Sarkley Glenfiddich, by Plexus and out of a homebred dam from the Pennie family, Glyn, Chris and Nigel, of Llandyssil, Montgomery was knocked down sold to James Alexander, Randlestown, County Antrim. The next lot in the ring, Oakchurch Gunner TI +72 SRI +62 was secured for 5,000gns by B and M James, Dolfor, Newtown. Bred and exhibited by Roger Price, Staunton-on-Wye, Hereford, Gunner was by Blelack Digger and out of a homebred dam by the 25,000gns Thrunton Socrates.

The female trade was led at 2,800gns by the Taberner bred Barleyfields Elegant, a three year old by Shraden Troubadour from ER Hall, Ashbourne to RA Elias, Dolbenmaen, Gwyned. Next at 2,600gns twice were two maidens from Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmynach, Bala. Esgob Gill TI +38, SRI +32, a 22 month old  Gretnahouse Noel daughter sold to DH Jones, Bow Street, Ceredigion, while the 19 month old Anside Excalibur sired Esgob Glain TI +34, SRI +32 made 2,600gns to J Preece and Sons, Cheltenham.

Averages: 63 bulls £4013.33; 1 cow £2940; 8 heifers £2,047.50; 1 cow and calf £2,100.

TREFALDWYN FANCYGIRL AT 11,000GNS

Charolais females were in demand peaking at 11,000gns when Arwel Owen reduced his Trefaldwyn herd in Welshpool on Thursday 8 November.

Sale topper at 11,000gns was Trefaldwyn Fancygirl TI +45, SRI +42, a two year old Dingle Hofmeister daughter, out of a homebred dam by Major and sold in calf to Blelack Digger. Fancygirl was no stranger to the ring having secured the Royal Welsh female and reserve overall breed championship titles earlier this year. She was knocked down sold for flushing to Richard Clegg, Seathwaite, Cumbria.

A total of 6,200gns was paid for a cow and calf pair. Trefaldwyn Unity TI +35, SRI +23, a nine year old by Major and out of a Brampton bred cow made 2,000gns to A Platt, Weston, Shrewsbury. Her 10 month old heifer, Trefaldwyn Hiphop TI +47, SRI +42, by the 15,000gns Newhouse Diablo and out of a homebred dam by Major sold for 4,200gns to VAS Corbett, Felindre, Knighton.

Gwynedd breeder, J Evans, Ardudwy paid 5,500gns for Trefaldwyn Eternity TI +28, SRI +33, a three year old by the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger and in calf to Goldies Eddy, along with her six month old heifer, Trefaldwyn Heather by Blelack Digger.

A total of 5,500gns was paid for another cow and calf pair. The four year old Trefaldwyn Destiny TI +29, SRI +26 by Trefaldwyn Usk, out of a homebred dam going back to Edenhurst Shogun and sold in calf to Goldies Eddy made 3,500gns to RP Ryder, Welshpool, while Trefaldwyn Hawaii TI +61, SRI +54, her nine month old heifer by Digger made 2,000gns and travelled over the water with S Killen, Newry, County Down.

Trefaldwyn Elsa TI +27, SRI +21,an an Edenhurst Shogun daughter and her bull calf Trefaldwyn Hero TI +66, SRI +57 by Blelack Digger, sold for 4,800gns to Cornish breeders, RH Richards, Redruth.

Heifers by the 28,000gns Goldies Champion were in demand. Selling for 4,800gns to J Evans, Ardudwy was Trefaldwyn Goldengirl TI +25, SRI +29, a 22 month old out of a homebred dam going back to Mowbraypark Orlando.  A bid of 4,500gns secured the two year old Trefaldwyn Ffion TI +25, SRI +23, another Champion daughter, for A and O Redhead, Berwick on Tweed while the two year old Trefaldwyn Fanfare TI +22 SRI +22 by Champion commanded a price tag of 4,400gns from DH Jones, Bow Street, Ceredigion.

Cow and calf pair, Trefaldwyn Dancer TI +27, SRI +28 and Trefaldwyn Gem made 4,600gns. Dancer, an eight year old Tullygarley Rollerball daughter sold for 3,000gns to A Platt, Weston, Shrewsbury, while a bid of 1,600gns secured the Newhouse Diablo sired yearling heifer for DW Jones, Welshpool.

Trefaldwyn Chelsea TI +39, SRI +24, a five year old Shraden Talisman daughter and in calf to Goldies Eddy made 3,400gns to DG Cleland, Dinedor, Hereford.

Averages:  8 cows with calves at foot £5,355; 8 in calf heifers £4,449; 5 maidens £2,793