AVERAGES improved by more than £220 on the year at a Charolais bull show and sale at Welshpool, where 18 bulls were cashed to a top of 5500gns to level at £3675.

Sale leader was Trefaldwyn Laird, from Powys breeder, Arwel Owen, Welshpool. His 16-month-old was the first of four of the top lots to be sired by easy calving and short gestation bull, Blelack Digger. Bred from Trefaldwyn Brilliant, which goes back to the 25,000gns Perth champion Mowbraypark Orlando, he was knocked down to HT Jones, Cardigan, Ceredigion.

Mr Owen also received 4200gns for the 17-month-old Trefaldwyn Leader, another Digger son this time purchased by DLG Price and Co, Llandiloes, Powys.

Second top price was 5400gns paid for Charlie Boden's Sportsmans Luthur, from Stockport, Cheshire. His two-year-old blue ticket winner is by the 70,000gns Royal Welsh champion, Barnsford Ferny and out of a homebred dam going back to the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort. Carl Thomas, Montgomery, Powys, was the last man in on this bull.

Flintshire vet Esmor Evans was also in the money with bulls at 5000gns and 4400gns respectively. His highest priced, purchased by DG and E Williams, Welshpool, Powys, was the 15-month-old Digger son Maerdy Lofty. Minutes later, Maerdy Lleuad, by the Royal Welsh champion, Maerdy Ulm, made 4400gns to RI and G Davies, Wells, Powys.

Commanding a 4200gns bid from TW Jones and Son, Knighton, Powys was Caylers Lennox, another by Digger. This November-2015-born lad was exhibited by Caylers Charolais, Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales