Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders' Association
The Annual Show & Sale held on behalf of the Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders Association drew a top-quality entry to the Monmouthshire Livestock Centre on the 30th August. A packed ring ensured a blistering trade throughout. Breed records were broken, averages well up on 2018 and clearance rates, very encouraging.
The sale was topped twice at 1900gns, equalling the current male breed record set two years ago. The first was for Gaer Yankee Doodle, first prized senior ram and Male Champion. Sired by Gaer Wyddfa and bred by D & R Rowland, Anglesey, the home bred two year old was purchased to found a new flock for Master Owain Davies, Llangynidr, Crickhowell. Also making the top price, was Fedw Archie. Sired by Garnview Watcha Lookin At and bred by W Workman, Trecastle, the winning shearling ram & Reserve Male Champion Fedw Archie was purchased by Messrs Kimberley & Dawson, Blaenau Ffestiniog. Two ram lambs sold to 1100gns. Garth Uchaf Bourbon, sired by Garnview Wizard, bred by B Williams, Pentyrch, had been placed 2nd in the ram lamb class and was purchased by Glenda Hughes, Caernarfon. The second to make this price was the winning ram lamb from W Workman, Fedw Boris, sired by Garnview Yoyo, was purchased by Messrs Codd & Lewis, Haverfordwest. Another ram making four figures was Ty Ysgubor Archie, sired by Gaer Super Ted, a shearling ram bred by P Samuel, Newbridge On Wye. This tup was sold for 1000gns to D Roberts, Caernarfon. Other leading prices amongst the males included 900gns for shearling ram, Eryri Arrowsmith from Ffion Evans, Abergavenny; 750gns for two year old tup Eryri Yr Ysgwrn from Gwawr Hughes, Bryncroes; 700gns for shearling ram Talley Abbey from DRL Williams, Talley and ram lamb Wenallt Brexit from EO Williams, Talybont On Usk sold for 600gns. The male classes were judged by Mr Philip Moyle, Llanbrynmair.
The Female classes, judged by Darren Hayward, St Andrews Major, produced a top price of 1300gns, smashing the previous female breed record. The 1st prize single Ewe Lamb & Female Champion, bred by EO Williams, was sired by the home bred tup Wenallt You Only Live Twice and was purchased by H Brown, Binegar, Somerset. The Reserve Female Champion was the winning single shearling ewe, also sired by a Wenallt ram, bred in Gwawr Hughes Eryri flock and sold for 470gns to SM Forsyth, Heol Senni. Also selling for 470gns was the 2nd prize Shearling ewe, sired by Wenallt Top Gun, from EO Williams. She was purchased by Cambrian Farming, Tiverton, Devon. The same buyer also purchased the 1st prize pair of Shearling ewes from EO Williams at 440gns apiece and 5th prize single Shearling ewe, bred by Bethan Davies for 440gns. A single ewe lamb from the Cefn flock of M & D Evans, Abergavenny sold for 420gns to join the new flock of Master Owain Davies, Llangynidr; a pair from Ben Williams, Pentyrch, sired by Garth Uchaf Tywin, sold for 410gns apiece to S & S Jones, Maesteg; Gwawr Hughes sold a Shearling ewe sired by Fridd Winner for 400gns; DRL Williams sold a shearling ewe, sired by Cwmbyr Walter for 360gns and M & D Evans also sold a shearling ewe sired by Gaer Watchyn for 360gns.
AVERAGES
Flock Ewes 4 sold max 68gns av. £61.00 Clearance. 44%
Yearling Ewes 47 sold max 470gns av. £202.18 Clearance. 96%
Ewe Lambs 54 sold max 1300gns av. £188.22 Clearance. 86%
Senior Rams 6 sold max 1900gns av. £596.75 Clearance. 86%
Shearling Rams 17 sold max 1900gns av. £513.26 Clearance. 85%
Ram Lambs 11 sold max 1100gns av. £ 363.68 Clearance. 48%