AN increase in entries and prices got the Welsh Black Cattle Society's 2005 spring sale season off to a great start on Friday April 15th.

The Pedigree Store Sale at Llandovery Mart saw the number of animals and their selling prices out-strip those of 2004, with some 57 pure Welsh Black Cattle entered and all of the 53 forwarded were sold.

"Both the quality and the quantity of Welsh Black store cattle were up compared to the 2004 spring store sale," said a delighted Society chief executive, Andrew James.

"Quality cattle are always in demand and the sale prices are reflected in this trend." Two 23 month-old organic pure and registered steers, weighing 570kgs were sold for £655 a head, making them the highest priced steers of the day.

Sold by Messrs TW & EA Davies, Brynonnen, Nanternis, New Quay, they were bought by Arwyn Lewis, Cwmgwyn Farm, Llandovery.

Mr Lewis also went on to buy the highest priced group of steers for £630 a head. The three pure and registered steers aged between 20 and 22 months weighed 545kgs and were sold by Messrs EDH & TGL Davies, Beddgeraint, Brongest, Newcastle Emlyn.

A 20 month-old heifer weighing 570kgs - the highest priced store heifer - was sold for £450 by Mr T K Powell, Gwernfelin, Llandovery.

While the highest priced entry on a pence per kg basis was achieved by three 11 month-old pure and registered organic steers weighing 228kgs/head.

They were sold by The Responsive Earth Trust, Plasdwbl Farm, Mynachlogddu, Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire for £290, and averaging £1.27kg. They were bought by Steven Jones c/o Tony Jones, Oswestry.

Mr James reminded vendors, "All future store sales of Welsh Black Cattle must have cattle registered with the Society to confirm authenticity.

"For £3 plus VAT per steer the cost of registering will more than justify the extra cost when the animals are sold."

SALE RESULTS

Highest Price Steer/Steers Sold by - Messrs TW & EA Davies, Brynonnen, Nanternis, New Quay Bought by - Arwyn Lewis, Cwmgwyn Farm, Llandovery.

Highest Priced Group of 3 or more Steers Sold by - Messrs EDH & TGL Davies, Beddgeraint, Brongest, Newcastle Emlyn Bought by - Arwyn Lewis

Highest Priced Store Heifer Sold by - Mr T K Powell, Gwernfelin, Llandovery

Highest Priced Entry Pence Per Kg Sold by - The Responsive Earth Trust, Plasdwbl Farm, Mynachlogddu, Clunderwen, Pembs Bought by - Steven Jones c/o Tony Jones, Oswestry AUCTIONEERS Clee, Tomkinson & Francis, Llandovery