The Welsh Black Autumn Sale with J Straker Chadwick, Abergavenny took place at the New Monmouthshire Livestock Centre, Raglan.
The first sale at the new Monmouthshire Livestock Centre, for pedigree Welsh Black cattle was held on Friday 14th November. There was an entry of nearly forty females, with a few not attending due to unforseen circumstances.
The show was judged by Society President this year, Miss Lorraine Howells, with Mr Lee Pritchard assisting as Junior Judge. A few cattle were in the pre-sale show, but there were good quality heifers in the pens that were not shown.
Winning the Champion Female and the Overall Champion was Mr Gareth James from Tufton, Clarbeston Road with his Syfni Betrys 4th, born March 2012, sired by Penwernhir Warrior and out of Syfni Betrys. She was in-calf and was unsold through the sale ring.
Reserve Overall Champion and Maiden Heifer Champion went to Mrs Marion Phillips, Dancoed, Abergwaun. Dancoed Mari 4th was a May 2013 maiden heifer sired by Rhydygarnedd Rhys 3rd and out of Brysgaga Mari 49th. This heifer was sold for 1200gns to Kyle Davies, 22 Sageston Fields, Sageston, Tenby. The same purchaser bought the second prize winner from Mr G Jones,44 Daffodil Wood, Builth Wells. Waundderw Josie 5th, a heifer sired by Waundderw Reggie and out of Dolhelfa Zara, was first in the class for females born between the 1stApril 2013 and 30th April 2014. She made 1,100gns and was another Welsh Black for Kyles new ‘Barnhill Black’ Herd in Pembrokeshire.
Rowland Rees had two heifers in the show, one receiving second prize and one Reserve Female Champion. This heifer, Brysgaga Menna 75th sired by Penwernhir Seraff, was sold to new buyers E. Titterton from Wheatlow Brooks, Milwich, Stafford for 1,100gns. The same buyer bought his other heifer in the sale Brysgaga Gwenno 62nd which sold for 1200gns.
Top price of the day however went to Mr P Jones, Blaenavon, Monmouthshire who sold a cow and calf for 1,500gns, also to E. Titterton, Staffs.
Sain Ffagan, Cardiff sold a heifer for 1300gns after the sale to M. M. Griffiths, Nanty, Llangurig, Llandidloes.
Mrs Eleanor Davies had a first prize heifer that sold for 1,150gns to H. Williams, Merthyr Tydfil.
DW & PE Evans, Llandefalle, Brecon sold heifers for up to 1000gns. A January 2014 baby heifer, Maes-Y-Gelli Tina which had a first prize in the show, from Mr and Mrs G Davies Newcastle Emlyn, sold for 550gns to Mr Viv Collins, Lingoed, Abergavenny . Other heifers catalogued sold from 600gns to 1,000gns and Bulls entered in the sale were not young bulls, were in their working clothes and sold for up to 870gns.