Champion Welsh Black Bull Exported to Germany
2011-01-27

Gwern-Cynyddion Rhys 37th, the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s recipient of the 2010 Bull of the Year award, has been sold to Germany.

Gwern-Cynyddion Rhys 37

Young members Hugh and Jessica Williams who owned and exhibited the prize winning bull, are familiar faces within the Society and show ring circuit. Hugh, with his parents, runs the pedigree Welsh Black Rhydygarnedd Herd, which was originally established in 1930 by Mr Joseph Davies (Mr Hugh Williams’ grandmother’s father). Hugh is married to Jessica who owns the Gerddi Bluog Herd which she established in 1996.

The bull was sold to Olaf and Sabine Eckert who are also leading young Welsh Black cattle breeders in Schleswig, Holstein in Germany.

The proven bull at nearly 7 years of age was bred by Mr Robert J Evans, Gwern Cynyddion, Llanbedr in Gwynedd. The bull was sired by Seisiog Rhys 39th (Vol 85) and out of Gwern-Cynyddion Neli 3rd (Vol 85).

Mr Evans sold the bull to Mr Williams when Gwern-Cynyddion Rhys 37 was 26 months of age, weighing 930kgs, at the society’s May sale in 2006, for a price of 4,000gns.

During the 4 ½ years with the Williams family the bull has produced excellent offspring, both bulls and breeding females. Examples of the sire’s progeny include Rhydygarnedd Rhys 3rd (Vol 98) and Rhydygarnedd Rhys 4th (Vol 98) who were sold for 4,600gns and 5,500gns respectively at the Society’s 2010 January sale at Dolgellau. Both were prize winners in the pre-sale show, one placed 2nd to the Champion Bull in their class and the other won 1st prize in his class and Reserve Champion Bull.

As an insurance policy the bull entered Cogent for semen collection and produced sufficient semen to export to potential buyers in both Australia and New Zealand.

Hugh Williams said ‘the bull was prolific and produced impressive stock but, equally important, he also completed an exceptionally good show season in 2010 for us, winning the maximum of 90 points from 8 shows including Champion Bull at the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells’.

The link between breeders in Wales and Germany began 2 years ago when Hugh and Jessica travelled with the 3 week tour visiting Welsh Black breeders in Australia. After several e-mails, telephone calls and a visit by Olaf and Sabine, the sale was agreed and Hugh and Jessica hope to visit Germany during August 2012 when the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s 3rd World Conference will be hosted by the German Welsh Black Cattle Society.

For more details regarding the breed, sales, genetics or the 3rd World Conference contact the Society’s Chief Executive, Mr Andrew James, on 01982 551111.

No.1 UK Angus Bull Now Available from Cogent
Highest Performing British Blue Bull Semen Now Available
Festive Sales Surge for Beef