THE annual Christmas fatstock show and sale drew a large crowd to Whitland Mart on December 10th, with the Coney family, of Lower End Town, Lampeter Velfrey achieving the double of champion beast and champion pen of lambs, the first time that both prizes have been won by the same exhibitors.

The lamb classes in particular produced an excellent competition with the judge, Alan Thomas, of Templeton, faced with a difficult task. After much deliberation, the overall championship was presented to the Coney family, whose pen of 40.5kg lambs were later sold for £142 per head to the judge on behalf of Bluestone Meats.

The judge also bought the reserve champion lambs for £95, which were presented by Monahan, South Headland, Rose Hill.

The cattle classes were judged by Anthony Thomas, of Carmarthen, who awarded the overall championship to the Coney family’s 560kg Limousin heifer, which later realised 280p/kg to Geraint Bowen, of Bethesda Meats.

In reserve was a 585kg Limousin steer from Williams, Natts Hook, Portfield Gate, which sold for 245p/kg to Rogers Butchers, of Carmarthen.

John Nicholas, of J J Morris Auctioneers, thanked everyone involved with the show, which was a very busy event, and everyone who has bought and sold livestock through the market over the previous 12 months.

“Whitland Mart continues to grow from strength to strength with the recent investment by Whitland Mart Ltd covering the cattle pens being a clear commitment to livestock marketing in the area,” he added.

Results:

SHEEP

Best pen of five butchers lambs up to 40kg: 1st – Windsor, Fforrest Farm; 2nd – Coney, Lower End Town; 3rd – Tilling, Upper Neeston.

Best pen of five butchers lambs 40.5kg – 49.5kg: 1st – Coney, Lower End Town; 2nd – Monahan, South Headland, Rose Hill; 3rd – John, Pantyderi.

Best pen of five lambs 50kg and over: 1st – Thomas, Cresswell; 2nd – Thomas, Bachygrweiddyn; 3rd – Jones, 20a Dolydderwen.

Champion pen of lambs: Coney, Lower End Town; reserve: Monahan, South Headland, Rose Hill.

Top price pen of 10 or more commercial lambs (per kilo): Morgan, Upper Bletherston.

Top price cull ewe: Scurlock & Sons, Solbury Farm.

Cattle section

Best butchers steer: 1st - Williams, Natts Hook; 2nd – Coney, Lower End Town.

Best butchers heifer: 1st – Coney, Lower End Town.

Best pair of commercial cattle: 1st – Phillips, Windsor; 2nd Morgan, Whitehouse.

Champion: Coney, Lower End Town; reserve Williams, Natts Hook, Portfield Gate.

Top priced fat beast – 30-48 months old: Thomas, Wenallt.

Top price fat beast (over 30 months and under 48 months): Morris, Parcummin.

Top price cull cow (per head): James, Penybryn.