Simmental Autumn Sales finish on a flyer at Carlisle

The British Simmental Society autumn sales ended with a flyer at Carlisle, when the bull average soared by 1500 gns with three more sold than in 2008 and with females peaking at 4000 gns for the youngest heifer in the catalogue. Demand has been such this autumn that virtually every Simmental sale has witnessed at least a ninety per cent or higher, clearance of stock – which speaks volumes for the quality of bulls and females which have been offered for sale.

There was certainly no superstition about when Lot No. 13, born on 13th April 2008 entered the sale ring on Friday 13th for W. J. Hollingsworth, Midhope Hall Farm, Sheffield. This son of Dirnanean Snowie, bred from the homebred Greenside Eric daughter, Midhope Eve, having lifted the reserve male championship in the show ring, commanded much interest by intending purchasers, before fetching a sale topping price of 5,500 gns.

At 4,500 gns, Gerrard Winner, provided his breeder Bob Carter with a memorable day showing and selling at Carlisle. The Gerard herd have down through the years featured prominently in the top end of proceedings at their local sale and this year was certainly nothing different. This April 2008 born Salisbury Challenger son was full of home breeding on the maternal side with the dam being Gerrard Royale 7th. Mr. Carter was back in the ring two bulls later selling Gerrard Ward for 3,200 gns. This Brinkton Brilliant son was bred from the famous Belinda family, with the dam being the Sacombe Wishful Thinking daughter, Belinda 28th.

Next in the bull money list, was the Supreme and Male Champion, Blackpool Wyatt, forwarded from David Loftus, Lodge Farm, Kirkham, Lancashire. Sired by the imported Polled Danish Sire, Lamhoj Supery, and bred from the Sterling Logan daughter, Blackpool Penelope, Wyatt commanded a sale price of 3400 gns.

Needwood Willy sold at 3,000 gns for Messrs. B. and D. F. Williams, Hollybank Cottage Farm, Burton-on-Trend. This February 2008 born Popes Juggernaut son was bred from Needwood Hannah by Newborough Grange Mistro. At 2,600 gns, Tirley Wayfarer (ET) sired by Sterling Flint and bred from the show winning Ingleston Vodka daughter, Darsham Gem provided Mr. S. P. White with a top bracket price.

All eyes in the female section were cast on the youngest entry in the catalogue, the Blackford Ringleader daughter, Chestermann Ringleader Katy, forward from Nick and Nadia Gwynne, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, in Wales. Having lifted the female championship and reserve supreme ribbons in the pre-sale show, Katy sold for the top female price of 4,000 gns. Born the last day of September 2007, and part of the Gwynne’s draft female sale, she was bred from the Sterling Rapier daughter, Chestermann Katrina’s Kuss. Chestermann Ringleader Nymph sold at 2500 gns and Chestermann Ringleader Melody sold at 2400 gns to help this impressive draft of 11 heifers average 2131gns.

Mr R. H. Carter and Son were back in the honours and the money again when their homebred Blackford Harvester daughter, Gerrard Belinda 47th lifted the reserve female championship together with her Brinkton Brilliant heifer calf at foot. This February 2007 born heifer and her 4 month old heifer calf sold at 1900 gns.

Averages:
10 Bulls, 3000 gns (7 bulls 1500 gns)
1 heifer with calf 1900 gns
3 females, 1233 gns (5 at 960 gns)
Chestermann draft, 11 at 2131 gns.