Official Simmental Society Sales in the Year Gross £2,167,231, up by £75,825 Pedigree Registrations up for the Third Consecutive Year Record pedigree sale averages, a strong performance in UK wide commercial sales, and for the third year in a row increases in both...
7 Simmental bulls make £7000 and over 14 Simmental bulls average £6586 The Working Genes production sale from the McGowan family at Incheoch, Perthshire met a keen trade for an entire clearance, and with a strong demand and average for the Simmental bulls offered....
Five animals make 5000gns and over Ranfurly maiden heifers average £4646 Joint sale grosses £128, 416 There was a strong demand for Simmental females with prices reaching a top of 8,000gns at the fourth joint production sale from the noted Ballinalare Farm herd of Joe...
The British Simmental Cattle Society has been deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alasdair Houston, MBE, DL, FRAgS, of Gretna Green, earlier this week.
A hugely respected and popular figure within agriculture, livestock and the pedigree sector, Alasdair met with great success in the sales and show ring over a sustained period with his noted Charolais and Aberdeen Angus pedigree herds. Earlier this year he was awarded the Sir William Young award for his ‘exceptional contribution to the world of cattle breeding’.
Serving a period as Chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, and also a period as Chairman of the Board of Harrison & Hetherington, Alasdair was a dynamic individual who coupled his roles in agriculture whilst being a hands-on farmer, and developing his significant and successful business interests in Gretna.
From a Simmental perspective, Alasdair also of course leaves his indelible fingerprint on the history of the breed having bred Gretnahouse Supersonic, a bull who is the second most prolific in the British Simmental herdbook.
On behalf of all members, the Society’s deepest condolences are extended to Lucy, Rafe, and Tara at this sad time.
