Charolais bulls met a strong demand throughout, selling to a top of 4,100gns in Welshpool and achieving 80% clearance, on Thursday 9 November at the breed society’s official autumn show and sale which attracted buyers from as far a field as Cornwall and Pembrokeshire.

Brampton Arabian sold for 4,100gns

“Suckled calf producers, who have enjoyed a buoyant trade this season, were out in force looking for bulls that showed good growth rates and backed by complementary high Estimated Breeding Values for growth, muscle depth and calving ease,” commented Welshpool Livestock Sales’ auctioneer, John Jones.

Heading the bidding at 4,100gns was Brampton Arabian, an 18 month old within the breed’s top 10% with a Beef Value of CH 31, from Billy Turner, Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon. Arabian who earlier on had been placed second in his class, was by Brampton Ronaldo who sired the 12,000gns reserve intermediate champion in Perth last month and is consistently delivering progeny with exceptional length, depth and good temperament. He sold to Owen Stephens, Cilfrew, Neath to run with his 140 cow suckler herd which takes all progeny taken through to finishing. “This bull stood out from the crowd. He had good conformation and a good Beef Value,” he said.

Welshpool newcomers, Peter and Nicola Darlington, Minshall Vernon, Crewe, offered two lots at 3,800gns. First to go was the Baggott bred Coley Acorn CH35, a 21 month Coley Tiger son going back to Balthayock Marius and out of a Coley dam by Balthayock Nougat. Acorn was knocked down sold to N and GM Bennett, Manfon, Welshpool.

The Darlington’s first ever homebred bull through the ring, Springfarm Awinston CH22, attracted the second 3,800gns bid, this time from PL Watkins, Hay on Wye, Hereford. This 21 month old blue ticket winner was sired by Maerdy Pinion, and out of a Givendale cow by Bassingbourn Hilton.

Lacreuse Vavavoom (August 2004) from Carolyn Morris, Llanstephen, Carmarthen secured a bid of 3,600gns from WG Roberts, Bettws y Coed, Conwy. Vavavoom who was within the breed’s top1% with a Beef Value of CH39, was by Seawell Offshore, and out of a Killadeas Jack sired homebred dam from her eight cow herd which runs alongside husband, Griff’s 50 pedigree cow Cargriff herd.

Waldencourt Apollo CH30, a March 2005 born Balthayock Longbow son and out of a Hayes bred dam from DH Hinds and Son, Newent, Gloucester commanded a 3,400gns price tag from AJ Roberts, Puncheston, Haverfordwest. At 3,200gns Bob Roberts, Abergele offered Brynffanigl Aron CH21, a 19 month old by Oldstone Egbert to T Jones, Gwynferwyd, Llandeilo.

Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold, sold his best, Maerdy Advocate for 3,100gns to EM Gittins, Menai Bridge, Anglesey. This 15 month old youngster was by Ballybrown Toby and out of a homebred cow by Rosanna Magic. Advocate was placed second in his class to Maerdy Aldrin (July 2005), a Maerdy Sinndar son who went on to claim the day’s overall reserve championship for Esmor Evans and made 2,400gns to RL Bishop and Son, Pulverbatch, Shrewsbury.

Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmynach, Bala secured 3,000gns for Esgob Amarillo CH29, a May 2005 born Roundhill Rocky son. The buyer was IR Jones, Llandrillo, Corwen. The next lot to come under the hammer sold at 2,900gns was Roger Everall’s (Shrawardine, Shrewsbury) 21 month old Shraden Admiral CH22. A Shraden Osram son and out of a homebred cow by Balthayock Matthew, he returned back up the road with BH Evans and Son, Halfway House, Shrewsbury.

Bonvilston Andross CH26 was awarded the day’s supreme championship for Gus Saunders, Bonvilston, South Glamorgan, who was enjoying his first ever major success in the ring since establishing his 20 cow pedigree herd five years ago. “Andross had length, good growth potential and lift in his legs. He stood out from the crowd,” commented judge, Iain Millar, Port of Menteith, Stirling. A 19 month old by a homebred bull going back to Seawell Offshore, Andross was out of Penfold Rhubarb, one of the herd’s foundation cows. He made 2,700gns to the Williams Brothers, Black Mill, Bridgend.

Females also met a strong trade with the top entry at 1,750gns from Gareth Jones. His 18 month old Esgob Arabella, who was placed in her class, was by the 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar and out of a Maerdy United sired homebred dam. The buyers were JW and J Alderson, Wistanston, Craven Arms.

Averages: 38 bulls £2,362.50.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales

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