SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL CLUB REPORT 2023.

Annual General Meeting.
At the Scottish Simmental club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) Jim Dyet was elected as the club chairman with Patricia Goldie retiring having served her term in office. Patricia was presented with gifts on behalf of the club committee by Jim Dyet. Jonathan Gunn was elected as vice chairman of the club and the club would like to thank Patricia for all she did during her time as chairperson.
Following the AGM we held a pre bull sale dinner at The Bird and Bees restaurant in Stirling this was enjoyed by all who attended and will be repeated this February at the bull sales. A raffle was held during the dinner and £585 was raised for the Beatson Cancer charity.

NBA Beef open day- Dalswinton Estate. Dumfries
The 5000-acre Dalswinton Estate, Dumfries and his team put on a first class 2023 Scottish Beef Event on Tuesday 6th June.
The trailer tours viewed a 500 Angus cow herd with Simmental calves at foot which were much commented upon during the day for their quality and growth. The Simmental bull is mainly used to breed replacement females. The majority of Simmental calves on the day were sired by Boswell Lawyer.
The British Simmental Cattle Society stand was in prime position and offered hospitality to commercial producers and breeders, whilst discussing all things Simmental. A further big thank you is extended to Jim Dyet, Scottish Simmental club chairman, along with his wife Liz, and to Patricia Goldie for all of their help on what was a very busy and productive day.
The Simmental stand featured two Simmental X bulls kindly supplied by Clive and Harry Houldey, Manor Park, Lockerbie. One of these bulls weighed in at 695kgs at 11-months-old and with a DLWG of 1.97kgs! Highlighting growth, weight for age, and age at slaughter, the carcase attributes and profit potential of these bulls, destined for Borderway Market, Carlisle, was a talking point on the day and a great breed promotion. Many thanks to the Houldeys.

Royal Highland show.
The highland show was this year judged by Mr Simon Key from Norfolk, placing Annick Gingers Lucia from Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir as his Champion, with Corskie Mimic from WJ &JG Green in Reserve. On the Friday night the club held it’s hog roast in the marquee, please see the show section in the review for a full show report and pictures.

Open day at Brodieshill.
A massive thank you to Colin & Robert Manson and the Manson family, who put on a tremendous Simmental Commercial Open day at Brodieshill Farm, Forres in July.
The farm’s high quality, hard-working 140 cow Simmental based suckler herd was much admired on the trailer tours of the cattle. Those attending enjoyed some outstanding hospitality of Simmental hot beef rolls with the beef kindly sponsored by ABP.
It was clear to all who attended, both commercial producers and pedigree breeders, just how much work had been put into the day, and how well run Brodieshill Farm is. Thank you to the Manson family.

Scottish National Simmental show.
This year the Scottish National Simmental show was held at Dumfries for the first time. The show started on Friday night with a BBQ, along with an excellent choice of salads and puddings.
A big thank you goes to our judge Bridget Borlase from the Sacombe herd for travelling up from Hertfordshire and making an excellent job of judging, placing as her Champion Popes Princess Immie from JH & VG Wood, Preston Lancashire with Annick Colleens Ginger in Reserve, from Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir, Keith.