| 2016-11-11 |    |
Increased Demand for Charolais in Welshpool
More Charolais bulls were sold for a higher average price in Welshpool on Thursday 10th November than at the corresponding sale in the previous year. At the end of the day’s trading 36 bulls were sold to average £3856, an increase of £419 per head with 10 more sold.
Auctioneer Glandon Lewis commented that;
“Commercial producers underpinned
the sale and were willing to pay between 4,000 and 6,000gns for the
bull of their choice. This is a reflection of the commercial trade
for Charolais bred cattle which are in demand by beef finishers who
can exploit their efficient growth to meet the current market specification”.
Supreme Champion Graiggoch Lad
Gerwyn Jones, Llanrwst, Conwy commanded the top prices of the day and the bidding peaked at 6,500gns for his March 2015-born bull Graiggoch Legend ET. TN Lightfoot, Callington, Cornwall was the purchaser of this class winner sired by the 70,000gns Royal Welsh supreme champion Barnsford Ferny and out of Northumberland-bred dam Thrunton Starband going back to the 25,000gns Perth supreme champion Mowbraypark Orlando.
Mr Jones was on winning form when he also secured the supreme championship with another of the same breeding, the 19 month old Graiggoch Lad ET who was snapped up by Ann Orr-Ewing, Swindon, Wiltshire for 6,000gns.
Minutes before Montgomery Larry, an April 2015-born lad was purchased for 5,500gns. A son of the 9,000gns Balmyle Harlequin, he was purchased by J Jones and Co, Bala, Gwynedd from breeder and exhibitor Roberts & Jones, Welshpool, Powys.
The same vendor had another in the money, Montgomery Lafant a Harlequin son whose dam Montgomery Hanna is sired by the 30,000gns Perth supreme champion Dingle Hofmeister. The February 2015-born Lafant who stood third in his class in the show caught the eye of TH Davies and Son who paid 4,500gns to take him home to Oswestry, Shropshire.
Next along at 5,400gns from Ben Harman, Chesham, Buckinghamshire was Chesham Laird an 18 month old son of the 18,000gns Thrunton Fairfax with a dam going back to homebred parents from this long established Charolais herd, he was knocked down to HE Havard, Brecon, Powys
Ben’s father Dan was also among the breeders securing the top prices. TE Jones, Pwllhelli, Gwynedd was the purchaser who paid 4,200gns for Silver Louisiana another 18 month old sired by Fairfax and winner of his class in the morning’s show.
The next highest price and commanding a 5,000gns bid from WRL Price and Co, Wells, Powys was Hendy Lothario, a May 2015-born son of the popular AI sire Blelack Digger from breeders JAW Rees, Llanidloes, Powys.
Three bulls sold for 4,800gns and the first was Maerdy Lusanne from Flintshire breeder and Vet Esmor Evans. The French-bred Maerdy Gouverneur is the sire of this 19 month old who goes home to work in Pontyberem, Dyfed for J and M Howells.
Matching the 4,800gns price tag was a class winner from Brian and Peter Heath, Hartfield, East Sussex, who have recently been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the Most Improved Herd of Charolais cattle in England for 2016. Sackville Lancelot, a May 2015-born son of Thrunton Fairfax and home-bred Sackville Delilah who goes back to the Irish-born Kincullen Ted ET caught the eye of Mr Jones, Brecon, Powys.
4,800gns was also the price paid for the blue ticket winner Brynffanigl Lee, a 16 month old son of Blelack Digger and the 17,000gns Alsnow Almighty sired Brynffanigl Ella. Lee was consigned by RT and DM Roberts, Abergele, Clwyd and purchased by R Jones & Son, Brecon, Powys.
Just behind on 4,600gns was an entry from G Jones and Son, Bala, Gwynedd who was placed second in his class. Tynddol Leonardo a March 2015-born bull whose breeding includes the 25,000gns Stirling intermediate champion Inverlochy Ferdie and the Shropshire-bred Doonally New daughter Trefonnen Gigi will travel on to Gwynedd with the Jones Brothers.
Another to bring 4,500gns when knocked down to PL Francis and Son, Church Stretton, Shropshire was Waldencourt Charolais’ reserve supreme champion from Newent, Gloucestershire. Waldencourt Legacy is a 16 month old son of Esperanto and his grandsire on the dam’s line is the 25,000gns Royal Highland junior champion and Perth supreme champion Goldies Unbeatable.
Following on at 4,400gns was Newroddige Lampard, an April 2015-born lad exhibited by JD Leavesley, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire and sired by the 10,000gns Welshpool supreme champion Esgob Ferrari and purchased by DT Richards, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan.
Two bulls then achieved 4,000gns apiece. Foxacre Leander was the first, a 15 month old Wesley Forceful son who took the fancy of RP Morgan and Son, Knighton, Powys. Leander has previously been a class winner at both the Royal Three Counties and the Charolais National Show at the NEC Livestock Event for breeder Ann Orr-Ewing, Purton, Wiltshire.
Minutes later another secured the same price of 4,000gns this time coming from Gareth Jones, Bala, Gwynedd. Esgob Logo who stood second in his class is a full brother to Esgob Gold, a Royal Welsh Show junior champion and the 8,000gns Esgob Harry. DT Richards, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan was the man behind the money on this 15 month old son of the 26,000gns Carlisle reserve supreme champion Anside Excalibur.
Female Section
Leading the bids for the females at a combined price of 4,000gns was an entry from Jeremy and Alla Price, Staunton-on Wye, the only cow and calf lot of the sale which was split to separate homes at 2,000gns a piece. Oakchurch Gem, a five year old daughter of Blelack Digger took the fancy of T Rich & Son, Mold, Flintshire and SJ Baker, Codsall, Staffordshire took home her nine month old bull calf Oakchurch Magic sired by the home-bred Oakchurch Igor.
Mr Rich showed his faith in the Charolais females as he also purchased the top priced and champion heifer from breeder Gareth Jones, Bala, Gwynedd. Esgob Joy an April 2014-born daughter of Blelack Digger and home-bred Esgob Gwenllian going back to the 18,000gns Thrunton Virginian sold for 2,700gns.
An added feature of the sale was a consignment of heifers from the Maerdy herd of Esmor Evans, Mold, Flintshire. His top priced at 2,300gns was Maerdy Insular by the prolific French show winner Arlequin who was purchased by DW Jones, Welshpool, Powys.
Just behind on 2,100gns and knocked down to J Rowsell, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, was the May 2014-born Vald'or-ra daughter Maerdy Jane.
Averages: 36 bulls £3,856, ten heifers £1,874, one cow and calf £4,200.
