A huge crowd of mainly West Wales dairy farmers and Holstein breeders squeezed into Cardigan Auction Mart for the first sale to disperse the Maesyrafon Herd of Pedigree Holsteins on behalf of John and Margaret Evans, Little Newcastle, Nr. Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
The sale was brought about by ongoing ill health and the substantial investment that would be required if milking were to continue on the farm. The sale was very well supported by their fellow West Wales Breeders and Milk Producers resulting in a very competitive and satisfactory trade throughout.
Four cattle broke the 3000 gns barrier and three of them were members of the noted Agility family. Commanding the top price of 3400 gns was the second calf Maesyrafon Agility 375th (VG88); she is a daughter of Roylane Jordan out of an EX92 dam by Browndale Stardust. She was purchased by Christine Parks for her Gaer herd at Eglwyswrw. Her six week old heifer calf by Croagh Leejet sold for 800 gns to DN James & Co for their Meadowfort Herd at Crosswood, Aberystwyth. Two other closely related members of this outstanding family made 3100 gns each; the first was Agility 343rd (VG87), a daughter of Comestar Lee out of Agility 167th (Ex95-6E), an 18 year old 100 tonne cow who is still going strong on the farm. She was purchased by L Davies & Son, Pencader, Carmarthenshire. The second from this family to make this price was Agility 307th (VG87), another daughter of Lee and out of an EX90 sister to the previously mentioned Agility 343rd. She remains in the family being purchased by John and Margaret’s grand son Jack Llewellin of Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire.
Members of the family continued to make their presence felt by purchasing the only other animal to break the 3000 gns mark; John and Margaret’s two daughters Nia Llewellin and Elaine Phillips joined forces to purchase Maesyrafon Formation Donni (Ex90), a third calf cow bred from nine generations of cows classified in the top two grades, for 3200 gns.
Christine Parks was in the market again claiming Maesyrafon Stormatic Anna (Ex90) for 2900 gns She is the 7th generation of cows classified Ex/VG and traces her origin to Hanoverhill Holsteins in Canada.
Maesyrafon Welcome 97th (VG88), a third calf daughter Dupasquier Wrangler sold for 2600 gns to WD & MM Thomas & Son of Llanpumpsaint, Carmarthen and at just 100 gns less Maesyrafon Ilex 380th (Ex90) (by Weeton Jackson) sold for 2500 gns. At the same price Richard Thomas of Croesyceiliog, Carmarthen purchased the Astre Starbuck third calver, Maesyrafon Ilex 386th (VG86).
Two animals made 2400 gns each; Maesyrafon Agility 348th (VG85) by Sunnylodge Scorpio sold to Philip Williams of Camrose, Pembrokeshire and the Budjon Exclusive daughter Maesyrafon Ilex 410th (VG86) sold to E & M Jones & Sons of Narberth.
In-calf heifers were a great trade with nearly all calving in January and February. Top price was Maesyrafon Roxy 3rd, a daughter of Lystel Leduc bred from seven generations of Ex/VG dams selling to LN & JJ Richards of Castle Morris, Pembrokeshire. Heifer calves sold to atop of 850 gns for a three month old daughter of Sandy-Valley Bolton out of an Excellent dam selling to Keith Williams of Spittall, Haverfordwest.
A bull consigned the Evans’ neighbour, Caroline Lewis, sold for 1600 gns to Castell Gorwyn Farm Ltd. Tynewydd Hugo ET is by Shottle from the Brynhyfryd Irene family.
AVERAGES:
107 COWS and MILKING HEIFERS (including 20 baby heifer calves at £500.85) £1514.11; 31 Served Heifers £1519.79; 1 Bull £1680.00. 139 HEAD £1516.60
WRIGHT MANLEY of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers.(With JJ Morris, Cardigan)
