ONCE again flock masters from all corners of Wales and beyond descended on Sennybridge to compete for the 271 rams on offer at the annual Brecknock Hill Cheviot Ram show and sale.

Clee, Tompkinson & Francis reported an outstanding yard of quality rams on offer resulted in an incredible shearling ram average of £741.88 (-£48) for 243 (+13) shearling rams sold. A credit and just reward to all the vendors for the standard of stock produced which continues to rise every year.

Champion of the day was a shearling ram bred by new kid on the block JR Joseph & Co, Lloyney and purchased by D Harries, Llwynmadog for 1800gns. Reserve champion went to P & M Davies, Tirmawr. The show was judged by Mr Roger Edwards, Bailea, Trecastle.

Fifty rams were sold for in excess of 1000gns, 15 for in excess of 2000gns, 9 for in excess of 3000gns and 4 for in excess 4000gns. 90% of the rams offered for sale found purchasers with 67 (28%) of these rams sold well outside the locality to North Wales (12), Mid and West Wales (47) along with the border counties and Devon (8) confirming the growing popularity of the breed nationwide.

Top prices: 7000gns bred by JR Joseph& Co, Lloyney and purchased jointly by DM Jones, Pentre Uchaf and JK Morgan & Co, Gorslwyd. 4500gns bred by IG & ME Jones & Co, Pwll Isaf and purchased by Cnewr Estates Ltd. 4000gns bred by IG & ME Jones & Co, Pwll Isaf and purchased by F Hemmings, Pantyclai. 4000gns bred by G Davies & Co, Pantglas and purchased by A & M Jones, Rhygog, Llanafan. 3800gns bred by IG & ME Jones & Co, Pwll Isaf and purchased by DH Morgan, Nantgwynne, Llanddeusant. 3500gns bred by P & M Davies, Tirmawr and purchased by DG & B Thomas, Aberdyfnant. 3500gns bred by G Davies & Co, Pantglas and purchased by HE Havard, Cwmbrynich. 3100gns bred by JTL Davies, Blaenclun and purchased by ET Bound & Co, Tynymaes, Llangurig. 3000gns bred by TB Phillips & Co, Twyn Neuadd and purchased by IG & ME Jones & Co, Pwll Isaf.

Top flock averages: 12 rams sold by IG & ME Jones & Co, Pwll Isaf averaged £2240, 12 rams sold by JR Joseph & Co, Lloyney averaged £1631, 10 rams sold by G Davies & Co, Pantglas averaged £1622, 3 rams sold by JTL Davies, Blaenclun averaged £1435, 9 rams sold by P & M Davies, Tirmawr averaged £1365.

Also during the sale 10 pink wrapped silage bales donated by B & E Forage, Sennybridge were auctioned individually in aid of Breast Cancer Research. Market supporters continue to give generously raising £1400.