DESPITE the inclement weather, a sizeable crowd of producers and supporters gathered in Newcastle Emlyn for the prestigious and traditional Christmas show and sale, which again saw the cream of west Waless primestock on offer.

The judge was respected Aberaeron butcher Owain Peckover, who had several difficult deliberations to decide upon, especially in the sheep section. The handler judge was Don Evans, a retired showman and former chief superintendant, Pembrokeshire County Commander, of Dyfed Powys Police, who commented on the high standard of cattle preparation and showing, and of all stock presented on the day.

The champion in the cattle section was an 18-month-old red Limousin steer, exhibited by seasoned showman David Thomas, of Dolcoed, Llanwnen. He was the winner of the Heavy Weight Class weighing in at 610kg and selling for 302p/kg to the judge. In reserve was the winner of the heifer class, an 18-month-old British Blue cross, weighing in at 535kg and selling for 265p/kg to Thomas, Golwg Y Mor Meats Farm Shop, Tanygroes. The best homebred exhibit went to another red Limousin steer, from Cerdin and Fiona Jones and family, Rhydyfallen, Llanarth, weighing 690kgs and selling for 255p/kg to Dewi James and Co Butchers, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan.

The champion handler award and receiving the Alun T. Phillips Perpetual Memorial Shield went to Jade Phillips, of Plwmp.

In the sheep section, the prime lambs were divided into three weight categories. The lightweights were won by mart regular Guto Jones, of Blaenbowi, Capel Iwan, with Improved Welsh Mountain lambs weighing 34.8kg and selling for £64.50 a piece to the judge. In the medium weight section first prize and overall champion went to mart senior drover, Keith Jones, of Pantycetris, Talgarreg, who had achieved reserve champion once before, but had been pipped at the post several times. His Texel lambs weighed 42kg and sold for £101/head to the judge. The heavyweights (and reserve champion) were awarded to Frances Tomkinson, of Brynyrefail, Oakford. Her Texel lambs weighed 46kg and sold for £90/apiece to Dewi James.

The top priced per kilo commercial lambs award went to the Thomas family, of Cwmdyllest, Pontsian, who achieved 174.0p/kg twice. The best pen of store lambs went to another regular supporter, Elfed Jones, of Cilwendeg Lodge, Boncath, who sold his Welsh lambs, averaging 36.5kg at £51.50 a piece to Emyr Jones, Kidwelly.

The best peen of four or more cull ewes award went to Glyn Davies, of Lloyd Jack, Felinfach, whose Texel cross pen of five sold for £80/head again to Emyr Jones.

The auctioneers thanked all producers, sponsors and colleagues for their support once again this year and look forward to working with them again in 2014.

Results

Sheep

Lambs: Light, four or more up to 38kg: 1st and 2nd Jones, Blaenbowi, Capel Iwan; 3rd Jones, Penparc, Rhydlewis.

Medium lambs, four or more 38.1 to 43kg: 1st Jones, Pantycetris, Talgarreg ; 2nd Tomkinson, Brynyrefail, Oakford; 3rd Jones, Trenewydd, Trawsmawr.

Heavy lambs four or more 43.1kg and over: 1st and 2nd Tomkinson, Brynyrefail, Oakford; 3rd Jones, Pantycetris, Talgarreg

Champion pen

Jones, Pantycetris (medium) reserve: Tomkinson, Brynyerfail (heavy).

Cattle

Best heifer: 1st Thomas, Dolcoed, Llanwnen; 2nd Phillips, Cnwcgwyn, Plwmp.

Light steers: 1st Thomas, Dolcoed.

Heavy steers: 1st Thomas, Dolcoed; 2nd Jones, Rhydyfallen, Llanarth.

Best pair: 1st Thomas, Dolcoed.

Best homebred: 1st Jones, Rhydyfallen.

Best British Blue sired beast: 1st Phillips, Cnwcgwyn

Champion and reserve: Thomas, Dolcoed.

Quotations

Cattle: Steers: Light maximum 250, average 250; medium maximum 302, average 302; heavy maximum 255, average 255.

Heifers: Medium maximum 265, average 265.

Sheep (1011) Lambs: light maximum 174, average 162.7; standard maximum 185, average 165.7; medium maximum 240, average 195; heavy maximum 195.6, average 186.8; others maximum 159.2, average 145.4.

Overall average 178.3p/kg. Leading prices: 240, 169, 166, 164, Jones, Pantycetris, Talgarreg, Llandsyul; 195.6, 191, 187, 185, 180, Tomkinson, Brynyrefail, Oakford; 187, 178, 177, 176, 174, 173, Jones, Penparc, Rhydlewis, Llandysul; 185, 174, 172, Jones, Blaenbowi, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn; 179, 166.3, Jones, Trenewydd, Trawsmawr, Carmarthen; 176, 168, 161, Belgrove, Aberdyfnant, Llanfyrnach; 174 (2), 165, 160, Thomas, Cwmdyllest, Pontsian, Llandysul; 171, Evans, Dolau Uchaf, Rhydcymerau, Llandeilo; 171, 160, James, Hendrewen, Manorowen, Fishguard; 171, Williams, Clyncoch, Gorsgoch, Llanybydder; 170, 169, 168, 165, Evans, Nantygwyddau, Pontsian; 169.9, Griffiths, Abergwrog, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn.

Store lambs: Overall average £56.73. Leading prices: £70, £59.50, Snow, Brynarel, Rhydlewis, Llandysul; £69, Thomas, Llygad yr Haul, Whitemill, Carmarthen; £67.50, McFadzean, Pwllyrheirn, Blaencil-Lech, Newcastle Emlyn; £51.50, Jones, 4 Cilwendeg Lodge, Boncath; £48.50(2), Flanders, Glynyreryr, Talgarreg, Llandysul.

Cull rams overall average £44.33. Top prices: £48, Davies, Llwynifan, Cellan, Lampeter; £45, Davies, Garn Fawr, Blaenycoed, Road, Carmarthen.

Ewes: Overall average £65.33. Leading prices: £80, £60 (2), £58, £50, Davies, Lloyd Jack, Felinfach; £80, £65, James Hendrewen, Manorowen; £72, £68, £60, £50, Davies, Glanwern, Felinfach; £70, Thomas, Ffynnonfair, Henllan; £60 (2), Thomas, 32 Y Rhos, Cardigan; £56, £48, Baxter, Penlan Isaf, Cwrtnewydd, Llanybydder.