

The breed record for a Balwen sheep was smashed at Monmouthshire Livestock Market on Saturday, with the new breed record standing at 2700gns for a yearling Balwen ram from Mr John Evans & Family, (Gabbles Flock) Llanvihangel Crucorney, Abergavenny.

New Breed Record Set at 2700gns
The breed record for a Balwen sheep was smashed at Monmouthshire Livestock Market on Saturday, with the new breed record standing at 2700gns for a yearling Balwen ram from Mr John Evans & Family, (Gabbles Flock) Llanvihangel Crucorney, Abergavenny.
Having stood first in the ram class and then Reserve Overall Champion in the pre-sale show, after spirited bidding, he was finally knocked down to Michelle & Jack Jones, Sennybridge, Powys for their Graig Goch flock.
Next up at 550gns was another yearling ram from G & M Howells & Family, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul. He had stood third in the pre-sale show. Leading the ram lamb trade was G & M Howells & Family, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul selling their ram lamb for 400gns.
Females also met a strong trade with a top of 400gns three times for ewe lambs. First was the ewe lamb from G & M Jones, Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire who had stood overall Champion of the day in the pre-sale show. Following her it was the Downes Family, Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire, selling their Royal Welsh & Anglesey Show Reserve Breed Champion, and finally previous sellers G & M Howells & Family. Meanwhile, shearling ewes hit a high of 240gns from Zavhia Paewai-Jones, Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire.
Averages:
3 ewes £129.50; 5 yearling ewes £186.90; 25 ewe lambs £215.46; 4 rams £191.62; 8 yearling rams £620.10; 8 ram lambs £259.31
(J Stracker Chadwick & Sons).