Averages: 45 bulls: £4003.65 (+£8.00 for 13 more).

Strong commercial and pedigree demand for Charolais bulls at the breed's official spring sale at Welshpool, saw prices peak at 7000gns with a further 13 selling for 5000gns or more.

Such was the demand that not only did averages improve, but an additional 13 found new homes compared to the same sale in 2018.

Sale leader was Trefaldwyn Ore, from local breeder Arwel Owen, Welshpool, Powys. His March 2018-born Blelack Digger son, out of Trefaldwyn Daffodil, a Doonally New daughter, secured a red ticket at the pre-sale show from Morayshire judge, Matthew Milne, and sold to Carlisle breeder, Ian Bell, Brampton.

Mr Owen also received 5500gns from JT Abberley, Buith Wells, Powys, for Trefaldwyn Oxo, a similarly aged son of the 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar, bred from the Blelack Digger-sired, Trefaldwyn Heidi.

Caylers Charolais owned by the Barker family from Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire, enjoyed a good day selling two of the next three highest priced bulls at 6200gns and 5800gns. Dearest was Caylers Nissan, purchased by Messrs Clayton, Newtown, Powys. The first son sold by the French-born, First, Nissan is out of Caylers Lara, a daughter of the 10,000gns Thrunton Goldeneye.

Minutes later, Caylers Nero, another by First, made 5800gns selling to RG Lewis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd. His dam is Caylers Lily, another Goldeneye daughter.

Next at 6100gns was the 14-month-old, second prize bull, Esgob Osian, from Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmynach, Gwynedd. The first son to be sold by Caylers Hustler, which was bought at the Blelack dispersal, he is out of the Anside Excalibur-sired Esgob Helen, and headed home with D Jones, Ceredigion.

Just behind on 6000gns, JAV Mills and Sons, Builth Wells, Powys, bought the 18-month-old, Dooley Norris, from Derbyshire breeder, David Thornley, Hartshorne. The only double Q bull in the sale, he is sired by Davally Igolo, a former National Show winner, and out of the Goldies Dynamite-sired Dooley Leya.

Class winner Montgomery Nevile an August 2017-born bull, made 5800gns for Messrs Roberts and Jones, Welshpool, Powys, when purchased by Messrs Stephens, Neath, West Glamorgan. He is by the Scottish sire, Balmyle Harlequin, while his dam is Montgomery Eiddwen, a daughter of the French-born Suzeringie.

A further two bulls sold for 5500gns to include Montgomery Napoli, the supreme champion from the Roberts and Jones partnership. The 18-month-old Napoli is by Gretnahouse Jugular, a former Carlisle champion that has bred in excess of 80 head of cattle for the herd since his purchase in 2016, while his dam, Montgomery Lupin, goes back to Balmyle Harlequin. Napoli headed home with Messrs Claridge, Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire.

Matching that bid was Maerdy Northernboy, from Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold. Another red ticket holder, this 19-month-old son of Maerdy Figaro-w is out of the Veilleur-sired Maerdy Gorgeousgirl and caught the eye of Jenny and John Rix, Nayland, Colchester.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales