This autumn promises to be a bumper time for Welsh Black cattle enthusiasts with three herd dispersal sales planned. The first is on Saturday at 1pm at Llechwedd Ddu Bach, Talsarnau, Harlech, where Gwilym Lloyd and his family are emigrating and are selling their Llechwedd-Ddu herd, which was established in 2000. It comprises 36 cows with calves at heel, four in-calf heifers, maiden heifers, 16 steers and a stock bull. The herd has been bred for hardiness, milkiness and fertility and is ideal for the Welsh hills. It is especially suitable for farmers involved in the Tir Gofal agri-environment scheme. The herd is spring and autumn calving, which calve down within about six weeks. Machinery and a flock of Welsh Mountain sheep will be for sale first, with the sale of cattle starting at 1pm. The auctioneer is Morgan Evans of Anglesey on 01248 421 582. The second dispersal sale takes place the following Saturday, September 24, at 11am at Penlan Farm, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. John Beynon is retiring and selling 120 cattle from the Tyddewi herd, which was established in 1976. For sale are two mature bulls, three young bulls, 32 cows with calves and eight in-calf cows, 22 in-calf heifers, 20 maiden heifers and 17 yearling steers. The auctioneers are Edward Perkins of Haverfordwest on 01437 760730 and J Straker, Chadwick and Sons, of Abergavenny on 01873 855157. The polled Idloes herd goes under the hammer on Saturday, October 1, at 1pm at Pen Rhiw Farm, Llanidloes. Edward Hamer has instructed the sale due to poor health. Some 10% of Welsh Black Cattle Society members in the UK breed polled cattle, which are known for their double muscling, excellent proportion of meat to bone and prize-winning record at Christmas fatstock shows. “The fact that no de-horning is required is a bonus when farmers have less staff these days,” says Welsh Black Cattle Society chief executive Andrew James. “We are also excited to see the sale of the special cow family, Siani Flewog, whose ancestors sold under the former Idloes dispersal sale in 1998. The cow and calf sold for 3,600gns, and seven years on, the heifer calf from the dam Siani Flewog must surely be an animal to see.” The sale starts at 10am, with the cattle sale at 1pm. Auctioneers are McCartneys of Kington on 01544 230 316.

Posted: 09|13|05 at 8:57 am. Filed under: UK News.