Little introduction is needed for this week's Breeder of our Time, Gerwyn Jones, who has certainly made a name for himself within the world of pedigree cattle having recently set a new world record for a Limousin bull.

He spoke to Kathryn Dick about his career to date:

Background?

I was born and brought up at the family farm, Graiggoch, and I’m the third generation to farm in my family. In a bid to gain more work and life experience, I travelled up north to Aberdeenshire where I spent five years working as a stockman.

I moved back home right before Covid-19 hit the country so I’ve had a quiet few years, which has given me time to settle back into life at home, as well as the time to properly concentrate on the pedigrees.

I work with Limousins and Charolais, and have more recently made the move into pedigree Texel and Beltex sheep while still continuing to produce finished lambs.

In order to build up herd numbers quickly, I have relied on embryos. Now I am selecting four or five cows from across the country to put in a flushing programme.

To build up Texel numbers, Charlie Boden of the Sportsmans flock kindly gave me some embryos to start up my own flock. I’m also just starting out in to Beltex as they are a breed that suit both pedigree and commercial needs.

What got you into breeding Limousins?

My father, Emyr, always had Welsh Black cattle but I had a real passion for the continental breeds. I worked for the likes of the Sarkley and Wilodge herds within the Limousins, which gave me the driving force to have cattle in my own name.

It was a similar story amongst the Charolais – following time spent working for the Campbells and their Thrunton herd and Esmor Evans' Maerdy. I got the opportunity to buy a cow from Thrunton and put her on a flushing programme.

Qualities do you like about the breeds that you work with?

I like the temperament of the Charolais, as well as their daily live weight gain abilities – with costs the way that they are nowadays, farmers need cattle off farm as soon as possible.

The Limousin suits the modern day market requirements and if you produce the right type of cattle, you can be successful within the breed.

What do you look for in a good beast?

My father always told me that every good animal starts at the ground... you don’t get a Ferrari going on three wheels!

I like a leg in each corner, a good bum and a body like a coffee table. The animal needs a head that looks over you and not down on you. I like to keep females feminine with plenty of power but, more importantly, correctness and style – and that will come through in the breeding.

Best animal you’ve bred?

At present it has to be Graiggoch Rambo due to what he’s recently achieved. He just had that power and thump about him, with correctness and style.

I have a cow on a flushing programme, which weighs just shy of 1500kgs. I hope to show her daughter next year with luck as I think very highly of the heifer.

Best animal you’ve seen?

There are so many good animals across all breeds, but in the Limousins I would have to say Milbrook Gingerspice when I saw her as a two-year-old at Balmoral Show. Two others would be Wilodge Diamante and Foxhillfarm Gracie when I saw them as yearlings.

I would also like to mention Rambo’s dam, Sarkley Glorianne. As a breeding cow she was full of power and character. It must be noted that all these females go back to the same sire – Wilodge Vantastic – which, in my eyes, is the most influential bull in the world of pedigree cattle.

Amongst the sheep, I would have to say Sportsmans Double Diamond, for his sheer power and breed character.

Abiding memory?

It has to be selling Rambo for the record Limousin bull price. There have also been various shows and sales that I’ve won with my own stock, as well as other people’s – all of which are great memories.

Biggest disappointment?

I try not to dwell on disappointments.

There’s always highs and lows when working with livestock but the worst thing would be loosing a calf due to management mistakes.

I also lost Rambo’s full brother as he broke his leg, so that was a real disappointment to us all.

Influential person?

Without a doubt it has to be my Dad. He helped steer me in the right direction, and his experience as a stockman and judge within the show ring has always been influential to me.

Without naming anyone, there have been so many other individuals that have all taught and helped me throughout the years.

Favourite sale and show and why?

My favourite sale has to be the breed sales at Carlisle, as there is such an electric atmosphere – whether you be selling pedigree cattle or sheep.

I have two favourite shows, first would be the Royal Highland Show for the quality of stock present and for obvious reasons, the Royal Welsh Show.

Best breeder?

There are so many top breeders in herds and flocks these days, but I’ll just name a few within the Limousins. Firstly would be the breed master, Jim Goldie, for his consistency in bringing out great bulls sale after sale.

Ampertaine and Wilodge have to be mentioned for producing bulls that are very dominant within the breed. Both herds have produced bulls that go on and breed well across countless herds up and down the country.

In the sheep world, I have to say the Midlock family, for always producing the goods within a multitude of breeds, year after year. Another would be the Sportsmans team for their success over the years breeding top quality Texels.

Three Welsh breeders I also look up to are Esmor Evans of the Maerdy Charolais herd, the Pennie family of the Sarkley Limousin herd and Myfyr Evans, of the Rhaeadr Texels and Suffolks.

Best advice?

Dad always told me that you don’t win a show at a show – the work always starts at home. If you want to be at the top then you need to be perfect from day one, which starts in the shed.

Another would be that if your showing in the ring, pick a spot and never stand beside a good, big animal.

Advice you would give to someone wanting to get into the breeds?

It doesn’t matter what breed your in, you need to study the pedigrees correctly. The background of an animal is important, especially on the dam’s side.

Hobbies or interests?

I like to watch the Welsh Rugby Team kick the Scottish and English teams! I also follow Liverpool Football Club.

Future?

I hope to build a herd and flock that consistently produce stock that go on and do well, sale after sale. In the future, with time, I would like to show a little bit more for myself, with my own stock.