Charolais bulls met an exceptionally strong demand throughout, selling to a top of 4,000gns and a clearance of more than 60% of total entries was achieved in Welshpool, on Thursday 8 November at the breed society’s official autumn show and sale.

Brynffanigl Backbone, the day’s leader at 4,000gns

“Despite operating in very adverse times, Welsh suckled calf producers 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.

First to come under the hammer sold was sale leader at 4,000gns, Brynffanigl Backbone, a rising two year old from Bob Roberts, of Abergele. This first class prize winner was by Inverlochy Resolve, out of a homebred cow who has already produced a string of four figure bulls and he was accompanied by a 400 day weight EBV within the breed’s top 10%. The buyer was William Lloyd Jones who secured Backbone to run with his 40 cow suckler herd based at Penygroes, Caernarfon. “This bull has shape, size and conformation and he’s backed by data for very high growth rates,” he said.

Next at 3,900gns was Sarkley Budweiser, a 19 month old from the Pennie family, Chris, Nigel and their father Glyn, of Llandysil, Montgomery. Sired by Balthayock Longbow and out of a homebred cow going back to Moelfre Mecsico, he was knocked down sold to the Howells Partners, Llangynwyd, Bridgend.

The May 2006 born Hendy Batman from John and Dianne Rees, Llangurig, sold for 2,800gns to R Jones and Son, Llanfihangel Nant Bran, Brecon. Batman was a Doonally New son and out of a homebred cow by Blelack Equity.

Next at 2,700gns was Cambrian Berwyn, a 19 month old Dingle Hofmeister son and out of a Thrunton bred cow. Bred and exhibited by HM Groom, Rhydymain, Dolgellau, the buyer was WT Evans, Ammanford, Carmarthen.

Four lots sold with a 2,600gns price tag. First to go was first class prize winner, Waldencourt Budweiser, an 18 month from DH Hinds and Son, Newent, Gloucester. Sired by Balthayock Longbow and out of a Hayes bred cow the buyer was DE Rodderick, Llan Nant Bran, Brecon.

The second 2,600gns bid was made by GKE Rees, Rhayader, Powys for the 16 month old youngster, Trefonnen Bandit, another Doonally New son, this time from Mr and Mrs RM Hughes, Trefonnen, Oswestry.

Kevin Thomas, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn offered the other two 2,600gns entries. Moelfre Burton, a August 2006 born Mowbraypark Upshot son sold to H Thomas, Pontardawe, Swansea, while the 18 month old Moelfre Brett, by Allanfauld Norseman and out of a Mowbraypark bred dam went to JT Davies, Llangedwyn, Oswestry.

Judge, Paul Clements, Bury St Edmunds, sifted through a quality line up of entries and found his supreme championship in Esgob Bouncer, a 20 month old entry which he described as having ‘size, conformation and great presence’. Bred and exhibited by Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmynach, Bala, he was by Doonally Prince and out of a home bred Grove sired cow. He was one of four entries commanding 2,400gns and sold to Swinnerton Farms, Adbaston, Stafford.

The other three entries making 2,400gns each were Wernvale Bruno, a 20 month old by Trefonnen United from ME Evans, Llanrhaeadr, Denbigh to EH Anwyl, Llanbrynmair, Powys; Trannon Bully, a June 2006 born Piatroon Regali son from JA Williams, Caersws to DC Williams, and Son, Cefnllys, Llandrindod Wells; and Sarkley Barney a 16 month old Farleycopse Telemarque son from the Pennie family to BTR Gittins, Welshpool.

Females met a strong trade with the top entry at 2,200gns from Mr and Mrs RM Hughes for the June 2006 born heifer, Trefonnen Bambi a Derryharney Outstanding daughter and out of a Coolnaslee sired dam. The buyer was Rachel Dawson, Newton Burgoland, Leicester.

Averages: 30 bulls £2,250; 10 females £1,067.85

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales

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