Charolais sell to 4,000gns at Welshpool autumn sale

STRONG demand from suckled calf producers for Charolais bulls saw prices peak at 4,000gns and a 60–plus per cent clearance in the breed society’s official autumn show and sale at Welshpool.

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Brynffanigl Backbone from B. Roberts of Abergele, the day’s leader at 4,000gns.

Buyers were looking for bulls that showed good growth rates, backed by complementary high EBVs, muscle depth and calving ease, according to Welshpool Livestock Sales’ auctioneer, John Jones.

First to come under the hammer was the sale leader at 4,000gns, Brynffanigl Backbone, a rising two-year-old from Bob Roberts, of Abergele.

This first-prize winner in class was by Inverlochy Resolve, out of a home-bred cow that has already produced a string of four-figure bulls.

He was accompanied by a 400-day weight EBV within the breed’s top 10 per cent. The buyer was William Lloyd Jones, who secured Backbone to run with his 40 cow sucklers 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, Llandysil, Montgomery. Sired by Balthayock Longbow and out of a home-bred 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 home-bred cow by Blelack Equity.

At 2,700gns was Cambrian Berwyn, a 19-month-old Dingle Hofmeister son out of a Thrunton-bred cow. Bred and exhibited by H.M. Groom, Rhydymain, Dolgellau, the buyer was W.T. Evans, Ammanford, Carmarthen.

Four lots sold with a 2,600gns price tag, Waldencourt Budweiser, an 18-month-old from D.H. Hinds and Son, Newent, Gloucester sold to D.E. Rodderick, Llan Nant Bran, Brecon.

The second 2,600gns bid was made by G.K.E. Rees, Rhayader, Powys for the 16-month-old youngster, Trefonnen Bandit, from Mr and Mrs R.M. Hughes, Trefonnen, Oswestry.

Kevin Thomas, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn offered the other two 2,600gns entries.

Moelfre Burton, a Mowbraypark Up-shot son sold to H. Thomas, Pontardawe, Swansea, while the 18-month-old Moelfre Brett, by Allanfauld Norseman went to J.T. Davies, Llangedwyn, Oswestry.

Judge, Paul Clements, Bury St Edmunds, found his supreme championship in Esgob Bouncer, a 20-month-old entry, bred and exhibited by Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmynach, Bala. He was one of four entries commanding 2,400gns and sold to Swinnerton Farms, Adbaston, Stafford.

Females met a strong trade with the top entry at 2,200gns from Mr and Mrs R.M. 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.