26,000GNS PISTYLL KINGSMAN HEADS UP STRONG DEMAND AS SIMMENTAL BULLS SET A RECORD BREED AVERAGE AT STIRLING

· 26,000gns is the second top price for a Simmental bull sold at auction in the UK, and a new Welsh record for a British Simmental.

· Sale average up by £1443 to a breed record £6482 for the 64 bulls sold.

· Excellent clearance rate of 82%, up by 15%, and the highest in the sale week.

· Six bulls made over 10,000gns, with 28 in all making 6000gns or more.

· 26,000gns was the all-breeds top sale price in the week.

The June 2019 born Pistyll Kingsman 19, all the way from Wales and Messrs GA & HM Francis, Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthen, sold for 26,000gns to lead a strong demand for Simmental bulls at United Auction’s Livestock Centre, Stirling, on Saturday 27th February.  Pistyll Kingsman is by Woodhall Ferrari 14, who has bred bulls to 14,000gns at Stirling, and is out of Woodhall Evangeline. 

Paying the sale top price was Richard McCulloch with the bull joining his noted Overhill House herd at Armadale, West Lothian that comprises of 40 pedigrees and 160 pure Simmentals in all.  Speaking after the sale Mr McCulloch said: “This is just my type of Simmental bull. He’s very square at the back, as long as a train, stylish with a cracking head and a good colour.  He’s a modern bull and has all the attributes to a terrific breeding bull.”  Mr McCulloch had first seen the bull on the Simmental Market website and was impressed by the pictures and videos.  Backing up the qualities of the bull was the attraction of the Woodhall breeding on both sides of the pedigree, breeding he was very familiar with.  Of the second highest price paid for a Simmental, Mr McCulloch commented: “I think this is an outstanding pedigree Simmental bull and the price paid is the type of investment that’s required for a bull of this quality to take the herd forward.”  From here the first aim will be to take semen from Pistyll Kingsman before putting him to the spring calvers.   Late in the day Richard McCulloch also bought the last bull in the ring, Mavsey Klansman, from Jonathan Gunn, for 6000gns and who he described as ‘a young bull with a lot of potential’.

The sale top price was the second highest ever paid for a Simmental bull at auction in the UK and set a new Welsh record for a British Simmental. With a bit of added Welsh flavour to the day, a number of bulls sold at the sale headed to the principality.

For the Francis family, selling bulls at Stirling for the first time in a few years, the 26,000gns was their top price at sale and surpassed an 8000gns figure previously achieved at Perth.  With a heavy concentration at home on pedigree sheep, the Pistyll Simmental herd presently comprises of 12 pedigree cows.  Commenting on their top price bull, Aneirin Francis said:  “From birth he was always a good calf.  We took him to the Welsh Simmental Calf Show at Carmarthen at the back end of 2019 where he did well, but we could see the forward potential in him then to make a really good bull.    At Stirling we thought he was one of the better bulls but you can never anticipate such a price.  We are delighted with the sale and to set a Welsh record, and hope Kingsman goes on to do well in the Overhill House herd.”   

The sale as a whole, held under the ongoing and unusual Covid circumstances, saw a strong demand led by both pedigree and commercial producers looking for first quality Simmental bulls.  64 bulls in all sold from the 78 forward to set a new breed record average of £6482, up by £1443 on the year, and with an 82% clearance rate being the highest in the week.  Six bulls made over 10,000gns with 28 in all making 6000gns and more. The 26,000gns top price was the leading all-breeds price in the sale week.  As is typical, the majority of the bulls sold to Scottish buyers and with a number of purchases heading to Orkney.  The sale however also saw a strong Simmental demand from across the UK and with bulls going to Wales, Northumberland, Cumbria, Herefordshire, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire & Northants.  Once again, and continuing the trend, there was a ready demand for dark, long, clean, modern bulls, with good figures and an emphasis on milk.

The second top price was 15,000gns for Backmuir Kraken 19 from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith.  April 2019 born, Kraken is the first son to be sold at sale by Islavale Hamilton 16 and is out of the dam, Starline Kreole 11th.   A bull with ‘good power and style, and very correct in his legs’, the 15,000gns is the top sale price to date for the Backmuir Simmental herd.  This was another bull to head south of the border and to the new pedigree herd of AR Bulmer, Coultas Farm, Malton, North Yorkshire. Commenting, Mr Bulmer said: “I’d seen the bull previously on Facebook and Simmental Market.  He’s a great example of the Simmental breed with a good top line, a nice head, and being very correct.  I wanted a bull with a bit of size to breed heifers and the plan is for him to go in with the females in May.”  Mr Bulmer has already purchased 12 pedigree females including a batch from the Corskie herd.

At 11,500gns was Islavale Kacy 19 from Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banffshire.  March 2019 born this bull, early in the sale, was by Corskie Highlander and out of the Curaheen Bandit daughter Islavale Fantasia.  Described pre-sale ‘as possibly the best Corskie Highlander son yet from the Islavale Herd’, Islavale Kacy 19 had strong performance figures for calving ease, growth, and milk, and with both parents classified as EX.  Buying the package of pedigree and performance was commercial producer C&G Thomson, Wester Tulloch, Midmar, Aberdeenshire.  Other Islavale bulls in the sale made 7200gns, 6500gns, and 6000gns with a big team of 10 bulls in all, featuring a number of the younger entries, averaging well over £6000.

At 11,000gns was Drumsleed Kingsman 19 from the longstanding Drumsleed Simmental herd of Mr GW Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk. A May 2019 born bull, Drumsleed Kingsman is entirely homebred being by Drumsleed Hivy, the 2019 Royal Highland Champion, and out of Drumsleed Farina 14 who herself has a strong show record. Described as a ‘tall bull with great length, a super temperament, and good figures for milk’, this bull was sold to the establishing Riverdee herd of Emma Smith, Bankhead Farm, Portlethen, Aberdeenshire. For the Drumsleed herd, who run approximately 100 cattle, the 11,000gns equalled their top sale price to date paid for Drumsleed Eldorado in 2014. On the day, Drumsleed sold six bulls in all to average £5,550.

From Northern Ireland, Knockreagh Kilroy 19 (ET) made 10,000gns for Val & Conrad Fagen, Rostrevor, County Down. A May 2019 born bull, Kilroy is by Dermotstown Delboy and is out of the Corrick Kentucky Kid sired Omorga Dorcas. Featured in this bull’s pedigree is the noted Cleenagh Daffodil with Omorga Dorcas being the 60th calf registered from this prolific female. On the sire side the well-known Dermotstown Delboy has had progeny previously sell up to 11,500gns. Heading to the north of Scotland, this bull was snapped up by Wm Barnetson & Sons, Lynegar Farm, Wick, Caithness. For the eight cow Knockreragh herd, the 10,000gns represented their top sale price to date and eclipsing the 8000gns achieved at Stirling in 2013.

The final five figure bull was the 10,000gns paid for Blackford Kirk 19 from Mr WG MacPherson (A Firm), Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness. A ‘well fleshed, long bull, with good locomotion’, this bull is by the noted Blackford Galaxy, who the same herd has had bulls by sell up to 11,000gns. He is out of Silver Wells Belle, a full sister to the dam of Bel Dhu Capercaillie, Blackford Wagtail. Purchasing this bull for use on their 40 strong herd, and another to go south of the border, was Heathbrow Farming Partnership, at High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Mr & Mrs AS&YA Leedham, Rowan Farm, Pickering, North Yorkshire sold two bulls from their Grangewood herd at 9500gns and 8000gns. The herd’s top price of 9500 came in the shape of the August 2019 born Grangewood Kingdom 19. Entirely homebred this calf is by Grangewood Glenlivet 15 and is out of Grangewood Carla. A thick, well-muscled, dark bull, Kingdom is from a good female line with his grandmother breeding Grangewood Baron, the Junior Champion at Stirling in 2012 who sold for 19,000gns. Grangewood Kingdom, who had very good calving ease, and milk figures was one of a number of bulls selling to Orkney when purchased by Terry Coghill, Muce, Birsay. At 8000gns was one of the younger bulls in the catalogue, the October 2019 born Grangewood Kingpin. Again homebred, this bull is by the aforementioned Grangewood Baron 10, and is out of Grangewood Sahara’s Gold. Buying this bull was Mr VC Bailey, Mixbury Hall Farm, Brackley, Northants. Commenting, Mr Bailey said: “Kingpin is a long, stylish, smart bull, with plenty of length and shape. He has great breed characteristics, a lot of milk in his breeding, and looks like he will produce lovely females. We very much like his breeding and look forward to using him in the 80-cow pedigree herd.”

The Auchorachan herd of D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballandalloch enjoyed a good day’s trading with Auchorachan Kennedy 19 leading the way at 9,000gns. This September 2019 bull is by Auchorachan Hercules and is out of Auchorachan Gypsy EX 90. Another with good milk figures, he went to the noted 160-cow Newbiemains pedigree herd of Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Dumfriesshire. Commenting, Jim Goldie said: “This bull is a long, clean modern type of Simmental. He’s growthy, with a lot of potential and future in him. I’m a strong advocate of the classifying system and he’s out of three generations of EX cows on his dam’s side, and with Auchorachan Hercules dam also classified EX93. We’ll put the bull to a good batch of cows and heifers this spring time.” Auchorachan Kennedy was one of the first group of bulls at sale by the herd sire Auchorachan Hercules, an Auchorachan ACDC son. Selling at 8000gns from the same home was Auchorachan King Kong. Another September 2019 born bull, King Kong is out of Auchorachan Genie, a strong breeding female in the herd. Auchorachan King Kong was purchased by J Duff & Son, Broomknowe, Brechin, Angus. Two lots earlier, at 7,800gns was Auchorachan Krypton. Another by Auchorachan Hercules, this August 2019 born calf, out of Curaheen Heddy, was knocked down to Messrs A&B Munro who run the Well House pedigree herd at Wellhouse, Beauly, Inverness-shire.

At 8,800gns was Manor Park Kelvin from Mr DC Houldey, Kirkleton House, Waterbeck, Lockerbie. A son of the 22,000gns Kilbride Farm Foreman, this calf is out of Manor Park Cherie a Shanehill Victor daughter. Another bull to head north, Manor Park Kelvin was bought by commercial producer A Anderson & Son, Nether Tillygarmond, Banchory, Kincardineshire. Speaking after the sale Mr Anderson said: “I’m very happy to buy this bull. He’s full of style and just immediately caught my eye when being paraded in the ring. He’ll be used in the 200 cow suckler herd, which are predominantly Simmentals.”

The Greencap herd of Colin Inglis, Dalachy Farm, Aberdour, Fife, also had another good sale day with bulls selling at 8,500gns and 8,000gns respectively. Making the top price of 8,500gns was the September 2019 born, Greencap Kerse. By Woodhall Ferrari 14, the same sire as the sale top price, this heifer’s calf is out of the Denizes Fabio 14 daughter, Greencap Imogen. Purchasing this bull was Cumbrian commercial producer Irving Pearson, Manor Farm, Blencow, Penrith, for his 120 suckler cow herd which comprises of a mixture of pure Simmental and British Blue cross Simmentals all run with the Simmental bull. With an eye on health status, Mr Pearson also considers performance figures before looking at the bull. Commenting he said: “This bull was dark in colour, really had some length, and he both stood and walked very well.” Greencap Kerse will join three other Simmental bulls in the herd. A few lots earlier, Colin Inglis sold the heterozygous polled bull Greencap Klassik for 8000gns to another Cumbrian home and this time RCS Addison, Greystone House, Penrith. By the polled sire Sneumgaard Imperator, this bull is out of Greencap Inga and is another heifer’s calf by Denizes Fabio 14. Speaking after the sale Mr Addison said that he had bought this bull to join his small Lyvennet pedigree herd and to also use him on his dairy herd. “We are organic, and looking to go antibiotic free, and wanted a bull that would be easy calving, quiet, and polled. Looking at the bulls online Greencap Klassik was my first choice so I’m delighted to get him.”

Saltire Kelso, from J&G Houliston, Drem, North Berwick sold for 8000gns. July 2019 born, Saltire Kelso is another bull sired by Woodhall Ferrari 14 and is out of Saltire Felicity, making him a full brother to the 10,500gns Saltire Judge 18, sold in October 2019. Buying this bull, and one of four purchases on the day, was RI & GI Davies, Penlanlwyd, Cefn Gorwydd, Powys. Mr Davies bought further bulls at 7500gns, 5000gns, and 3000gns respectively. The very next lot, Saltire Knockout, made 7000gns when selling to W Smith, Park Farm, Eye, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire. July 2019 born Saltire Knockout is by Saltire Impressive with this being his first progeny at sale. The 16-cow herd generally uses AI just to give a wider choice. Saltire Impressive himself was sold for 14,000gns in October 2018.

From a small show of females, the leading price was the 2400gns paid for the 2013 born Denizes Beauty. An Ashland Tornado daughter out of Ranfurly beauty 5th, she was sold with her December 2020 born bull calf at foot, Denizes Litman 20, by Denizes Impeccable 17. Purchasing this outfit was K&A Graham, Easterton Farm, Doune, Perthshire.

OTHER LEADING SALE PRICES

Lot 42 Glenlossie Kingsman, 7500gns to RI & GI Davies, Penlanlwyd, Cefn Gorwydd, Powys

Lot 24 Islavale Kilt 7200gns, to Arnhall Farms, Edzell, Brechin, Angus.

Lot 37 Finlarg Kingjohn, 7000gns to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney.

Lot 73 Saltire Knockout, 7000gns to W Smith, Park Farm, Eye, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire.

Lot 76 Finlarg Kansas, 7000gns to John White & Sons, Middlesteads, Selkirk

Lot 130 Fallhills Koby, 6800gns to C Young, Ballintore, Galashiels

Lot 47 Westridge Kristoff, 6500gns to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney.

Lot 54 Denizes Kaiser, 6500gns to T Dun & Sons, Brothershiels, Midlothian

Lot 77 Kilbride Farm Kanye, 6,500gns to James Moir, Auchorties Farm, Keith, Banffs.

134 Islavale Keg, 6500gns to R Manson, Brodieshill Farm, Forres, Moray.

Lot 7 Islavale Kabul, 6000gns to GJ&E Harper, Broadsea Farm, Inverurie.

122 Drumsleed Krypton, 6000gns to W Nelson & Co, West Brackly, Kinross, Fife.

139 Mavsey Klansman, 6000gns to R McCulloch, Overhill House, West Lothian