End of an era for Welsh Blacks at Penlan

17 August 2005

It will be the end of an era when 140 pedigree Welsh Black cattle come up for sale at Penlan Farm, St Davids in Pembrokeshire.

The herd belongs to John and Pauline Beynon - whose family have been farming at the 200 acre tenanted farm for three generations.

Visitors from around the globe have admired the Tyddewi herd grazing in the shadow of St David's Cathedral - a scene little changed since 1890, when John's grandfather first came to Penlan Farm.

But at Penlan Farm on 24 September, 115 years of Welsh Black breeding will come to an end. Almost the entire herd will go under the hammer, including two mature bulls; three young bulls; 47 cows, of which 32 have calves and the remainder are in-calf; 22 in-calf heifers; 20 maiden heifers and 17 yearling steers.

The dispersal sale gives Welsh Black enthusiasts a rare opportunity to purchase quality, home-bred animals. The only animal to be bought in was the senior stock bull in 1999. The Tyddewi herd is famous for its impeccable bloodlines and show successes.

There has already been huge interest in the sale, with local auctioneers Edward Perkins of Haverfordwest reporting a flood of phone calls requesting catalogues. John suspects that hundreds of people may turn up on the day of the sale.

John and his wife Pauline are keeping about eight animals to take to their new home just half a mile away from Penlan, with its own 40 acres.

From here they plan to continue their dazzling showing career, having recently completed an unbroken 25 year spell of competing at the Royal Welsh Show. This year they won the Reserve Champion Female with Tyddewi Katherine.

John is keen to point out that he hasn't kept back all the best stock though, with two of the cows being kept because they are simply too old to sell on.

And some of the finest stock will be for sale, including Royal Welsh Show competitor Tyddewi Morwenna 4th, the in-calf heifer that won the Young Heifer class at the 2003 Royal Welsh, and many other prizes since.

For some, such major change would be a source of sadness, but John is positive about the move.

"I am 73 now and it is time to cut back. I am looking forward to the next phase of my life," he says.

His wife Pauline is unable to take an active part with the herd due to ill health, but runs an art gallery and tea room six miles away at Trefin, with of course, Welsh Black Beef on the menu.

His 21 year old daughter Sarah has just graduated from Oxford University, and although she takes a keen interest in showing the Welsh Blacks, she has no desire to follow in her father's footsteps as a pedigree Welsh Black beef producer.

"I will still be involved with the Welsh Blacks, both through keeping my own small herd for showing and as Chairman of the Society's Finance and General Purposes Committee," says John.

"And I am still keen to promote Welsh Black beef, which is the best in the world when properly produced, slaughtered and hung for at least three weeks."

It looks as though the Welsh Black breed can count on John Beynon's valuable support for some time to come.

To read the article in its original location, please follow this link to the Welsh Black Cattle Society website.

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