Shropshire-based breeder Chris Martindale has been elected as President of the British Simmental Cattle Society (BSCS) following the Society’s Annual General Meeting held recently in Stirling at the October Bull Sales.
BSCS President, Chris Martindale
Having served as a Council Member since 2021, he takes over from Norman Robson, Kilbride Farm, Ballyclare who had served as President for a two year term of office. Chris Martindale, who had been the Society’s Vice President and Chairman of Finance, also over the previous two years, becomes the 28th Chairman of the BSCS in its 54 year history, and the tenth from England.
Chris, together with his wife Kath, joined the BSCS in 1990. Their Forsdale Herd based at Coedfa, St Martins, Oswestry was established following the private purchase of two cows with calves at foot from the Dispersal Sale of the Boscobel Herd of Mrs EP Yates, Codsall Wood, Wolverhampton. Simmental was the chosen breed as the Martindales wanted cows that were easy calving and easy managed, had good docility, and great mothering ability. Today the herd comprises of twelve pedigree cows and fits well with Chris who is the Sales Manager for Lloyd’s Animal Feeds, a company he has worked for 33 years.
In recent years, the herd has gone down the polled route, again with an increasing emphasis on ease of management, and with the calves from their latest heterozygous polled stock bull, Wroxall Nescafe (P), eagerly awaited in the Spring. Keen supporters of local shows, the Forsdale Herd has met with much success showing females at Newport, Oswestry, and Denbeigh shows. Bulls are sold from the farm and to a repeat customer base. A noted pedigree judge, Chris Martindale has judged all over the country and at major shows including the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, and the Simmental World Congress show held within the Royal Norfolk in 2008. Most recently he judged the pre-sale show of Simmental bulls at Stirling in October 2022.
A significant momentum behind the Simmental breed has seen an uplift in commercial demand, a series of record sale averages, and increased pedigree registrations for three consecutive years. Commenting on this Chris Martindale said: “In a focussed industry, commercial producers need high performing, benchmark maternal traits as the long-term foundation to build their suckler herds upon.”
“There’s an increasing recognition that modern Simmental genetics gives you that and more. Easy calving, easy managed, full of milk, calving year on year, producing quality female replacements, and fleshy, growthy calves. The analysis of AHDB’s figures proves the performance of Simmental females, both pure and when crossed with any breed. Add in the further terminal advantages proven in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, and it adds up to real money and performance for producers. “
BSCS President Chris Martindale (right), making a presentation to his predecessor Norman Robson at Stirling. Michael Durno, BSCS Vice President is on the left.
A further focus of the next two years will be preparing for the 25th World Simmental Congress with it recently being announced that this will be hosted by the British Simmental Cattle Society in the United Kingdom in 2026. In a further comment, Chris Martindale went on to say:
“I am extremely honoured to have been elected as President of one of the UK’s leading beef breed societies. As a Society we’ll continue to work hard and take dead aim at promoting the Simmental’s abilities, to grow the breed across the UK markets. We’re excited to have been awarded the World Congress in 2026, and it will provide a terrific platform for us to showcase the breed to a widespread audience, both domestically and internationally.”
Michael Durno who runs the Auchorachan pedigree herd at Glenlivet, Ballandalloch, Banffshire has been elected as the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Vice President.
The January 2023 born heifer Clonagh Regal Fortune, owned jointly by Callum Croft of the Fforest herd, Gwalyrhwch Farm, Llanedi, Pontarddulais, Swansea, and Lizzie Harding of the Hallway herd, Cornerfields Farm, Uxbridge, Bucks, took the Overall Simmental Championship at the 2024 Royal Welsh Show, at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells on Monday 22nd July.
Overall Champion Clonagh Regal Fortune
Coming hot on the heels of the Simmental English National Show, the small breed section at the Royal Welsh was judged by Steve Gummow of the noted Killiworgie herd at Higher Killiworgie Farm, Newquay, Cornwall.
Bred by Garret Behan, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Clonagh regal Fortune is by the herd’s 22,000gns stock bull Manor Park Hansome, and is out of Clonagh Fame And Fortune. In the summer of last year Callum Croft judged the South east Herd Competition in the Republic of Ireland and it was there that he first saw Clonagh Regal Fortune. Commenting he said: “Regal Fortune just really stood out as a calf in the field and I like the breeding behind her with her pedigree featuring the noted Clonagh Edel which goes back to one of the herd’s foundation females. She came for sale in the Clonagh online sale held in January this year and I was delighted to buy her for €4400.”
Of his Champion the judge Steve Gummow said: “This was a stylish young heifer that moved very well, was good on her plates, and had plenty of breed character with a lovely head.”
2024 RWAS Simmental judge, Steve Gummow of the Killiworgie herd, Cornwall
Through this summer Clonagh Regal Fortune has been shown at the Great Yorkshire where she stood second to the Reserve Female Champion, and also at the Royal Highland where she was fourth in a strong class.
The Championship is the second Overall Simmental title at the Royal Welsh in three years for Callum Croft with him having won it in 2022 with the 17-month-old heifer Gwilli Melody 2.
Taking the Reserve Championship was the heterozygous polled heifer Lynfield Precious N992 (P) from establishing breeders George Scrivens and Holly Grant, and their Tapster herd at High Field Farm, Shrewley, Warwickshire. October 2022 born Lynfield Precious N992 (P) was purchased privately in the Spring from her breeder M/S AE & C Bishop, Church Farm, Wokingham, Berkshire and is due to calf in January to Ranfurly Confederate. She is by the noted AI sire Sterling Gino 15, and is out of the Darsham Playboy (P) daughter Lynfield Precious H628 (P).
Reserve Overall Lynfield Precious N992
Lynfield Precious N992 (P) was Simmental Champion at this year’s Stafford County Show, and stood third in her class to the Overall Simmental Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show. Early hopes and plans are for her to be shown again next year with calf at foot.
Overall Champions Clonagh Regal Fortune and Lynfield Precious N992 (P). From left to right: Meirion Jones, Welsh Simmental Club Chairman; Steve Gummow, judge; Lizzie Harding; Callum Croft; and George Scrivens.
Pair Hallway Diamonds Precious & Hallway Diamonds Pearl
The September 2022 born Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) from Steve and Gill Gummow, Higher Killiworgie Farm, Newquay, Cornwall, sold for 7500gns to top the Worcester Simmental Sale held at McCartneys Livestock Market, Worcester, on Saturday 27th April.
Killiworgie North Star 7,500gns
This heterozygous polled bull is by Curaheen Gunshot (P) and is out of the Killiworgie Emperor daughter, Killiworgie Elderflowers Ivy EX92. Described as a bull with a super temperament, great locomotion, style, and excellent conformation, Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) carries a Maternal (Milk) figure of +11, and is +1.8 for Calving Ease daughters.
Purchasing the day’s top, and second top, prices was CM Mercer who were looking to introduce polled Simmental bulls to their well-known 300 cow pedigree and purebred Bowley herd at Bowley Court Farms, Hop-Under-Dinmore, Leominster, Herefordshire. Earlier in the day, Killiworgie North Star (P) had stood second in his class to the overall champion, under the judge Wayne Davies, Cwmbromley, Newtown, Powys.
Selling at 6000gns, also to the Bowley herd, was the October 2022 born heterozygous polled bull Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P), from John and Bridget Olds, Bosahan Farm, Falmouth, Cornwall. This bull who stood first prize in the second class of the day is by the herd stock bull Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and is out of Bosahan Isabella Bea EX 90, a Skerrington Armada daughter. Again with good figures, Nankervis carries EBVs predicting easy calving and fast-growing early finishing progeny.
Bosahan Nankervis 6,000gns
Standing second in his class to Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P), was his stablemate Bosahan Nightfall 22 (P). October 2022 born Bosahan Nightfall (P) is another by Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and is out of Bosahan Flirty Tresor EX 90, a Skerrington Armada daughter. With a little show track record behind him, Bosahan Nightfall (P) won the Senior Calf Continental Championship at the Cornwall Pedigree Calf Show in October last year at Wadebridge. Buying this bull for 5000gns was DW Price, Ackhill Farm, Presteigne, Powys. Commenting, Mr Price said: “This is a stylish bull that caught our eye. He’s very correct, and has good figures for easy calving and growth. This is the first Simmental bull we have purchased and he’ll be used in our herd of between 80-90 Saler cows which are mainly pure.”
Bosahan Nightfall 5,000gns
At 4000gns was Beanhill Nightrider 22 from Mr & Mrs RJ & BE Kimber, Beanhill Farm, Chippenham, Wiltshire. November 2022 born, this second prize bull is by the AI sire Ballinalare Farm Galaxy, and is out of Beanhill Isla. Purchasing this bull, who carried strong terminal production and self-replacing indexes, was Top Farm Ltd, Aston Somerville, Worcester.
In the show of females the Female Champion came from regular Worcester consignor Mr WJ Hollingsworth, Midhope Hall Farm, Sheffield, in the shape of Midhope Melinda. This October 2021 born heifer, scanned in calf to Corskie Nomb, is by Denizes Kingston 19, and is out of the Woodhall Everhart daughter, Midhope Kitty. Buying the top price female at 2900gns was Mr S & Mrs D Shapland, for their Brynsworthy pedigree herd at Brynsworthy Farm, Barnstaple, Devon. Commenting on his Female Champion the judge Wayne Davies said: “This was a powerful Simmental heifer that also had style and femininity, and was full of breed character. I’ve no doubt she’ll go on to make a top breeding female.”
Midhope Melinda 2,900gns
Mr Davies was back in the fray when he purchased Newton House Majesty the Reserve Female Champion, for 2800gns from JW Gosmore Partners, Newton House Farm, Tattenhall, Chester. November 2022 born this heifer is by the imported sire Lissadell Los Angeles, and is out of Leeherd Majesty 377, a Dermotstown G Mac daughter.
Wayne Davies, judge, in action
In the draft sale of females from the Dinton herd of Miss SV Francis, Homestead Farm, Warminster, Wiltshire, the five-year-old Dinton Kiwi 11th VG 88 made the top price of 2600gns when selling with her fourth calf at foot, the heifer Dinto Kiwi 16th (P). Dinton Kiwi 11th VG 88 is by Coose Gambler (P), and is out of Dinton Kiwi 7 VG 89. Her calf Kiwi 16th (P), is by the homozygous polled bull Amadeus. Buying this outfit, and one of five purchases on the day, was RG Elliott & Son, Noborough Lodge, Norton, Brockhall, Northants.
AVERAGES
5 Bulls £5250 (+£551)
7 Females £2640
9 Females (Dinton) £1703
WORCESTER SIMMENTAL PRE-SALE SHOW RESULTS
Saturday 27th April 2024
Judge: Mr Wayne Davies, Cwmbromley, Sarn, Newtown, Powys
Class 1
1st: Lot 3 – John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – DoB 05/03/22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
2nd: Lot 7 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) – DoB 18/09/22 – s. Curaheen Gunshot (P)
3rd: Lot 6 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Napoleon 22 – DoB 22/07/22 – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
4th: Lot 5 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Nero 22 – DoB 29.04.22 – s. Delfur Chas 11
Class 2
1st: Lot 13 – P J, B & DJ Olds – Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P) – DoB 22/10/22 – s. Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P)
2nd: Lot 12 – P J, B & DJ Olds – Bosahan Nightfall 22 (P) – DoB 20/10/22 – s. Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P)
3rd: Lot 10 – Messrs A E & C Bishop – Lynfield Neptune 22 – DoB 17/10/22 – s. Sterling Gino
4th: Lot 14 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Nijinsky 22 – DoB 25/10/22 – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
5th: Lot 9 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Newlyn 22 – DoB 11/10/22 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
6th: Lot 8 – Mr & Mrs R J & B E Kimber – Beanhill Noah 22 – DoB 10/10/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
Class 3
1st: Lot 17 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – DoB 16/12/22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
2nd: Lot 16 – Mr & Mrs R J & B E Kimber – Beanhill Nightrider 22– DoB 13/11/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
3rd: Lot 15 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Newton – DoB 03/11/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
4th: Lot 19 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Providence – DoB 23/01/23 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
5th: Lot 20 – Mr K J C Thomas – Crowgey Praetorian 23 – DoB 11/02/23 – s. Mullyknock Gallant 15
Class 4
1st: Lot 23 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Melinda – DoB 13/10/21 – s. Denizes Kingston 19
2nd: Lot 21 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Margo Cream – DoB 07/09/21 – s. Delfur Chas 11
3rd: Lot 26 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Krystals Magic – DoB 07/12/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
4th: Lot 25 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Molly May – DoB 25/11/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
5th: Lot 24 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Islas Mia – DoB 28/10/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
Class 5
1st: Lot 27 – J W Gosmore Partners – Newton House Majesty – DoB 21/11/22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Female Champion
Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Melinda – s. Denizes Kingston 19 Reserve Female Champion
J W Gosmore Partners – Newton House Majesty – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Male Champion
John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles Reserve Male Champion
R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
Overall Champion
John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles Reserve Overall Champion
R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
Total clearance of the ten bulls and two heifers forward
The December 2022 born Breaghey Netflix 22from Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh, made 5800gns to lead the Dungannon Simmental Sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 22nd March.
A strong demand saw a 100% clearance of the bulls and heifers forward with ten bulls averaging £3580.5, up by £505.5 on the year.
The December 2002 born Breaghey Netflix 22 is by Woodhall Ferrari 14, and out of Breaghey Vida 2 (TF), a Dermotstown Delboy daughter. With a Maternal (Milk) figure of +9, Netflix 22 was purchased by commercial producer Richard Houston, Rostrevor, who ‘likes to have smart cattle to sell, and was looking for a bull to breed replacements with plenty of milk.’
Selling at 4600gns Craigy Neo, (below), from Mr WJ Dodd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Co Down. Earlier in the morning this bull had been tapped out in the pre-sale show as the day’s Overall Supreme Champion by the judge Robin Boyd of the noted Slievenagh herd, Portglenone, Co Antrim. Commenting on his Champion Robin Boyd said: “This was just a stand out bull for me on the day, having both length and shape, and carrying plenty of style.” Born 29th October 2022, Craigy Neo is sired by the noted Keeldrum Gambler 15, and is out of Craigy Beatrice J6. Purchasing the Champion was Raymond Bowden, Stewartstown. Enjoying a good day’s trading, the Dodds also sold Craigy Nash 22 for 3200gns to Eric Speers, Hamiltonsbawn, Co Armagh. Another by Keeldrum Gambler, this 30th October 2022 born bull is out of Craigy Jessica K2 (P). Two Craigy females, both Keeldrum Gambler daughters, also sold for 2700gns, and 2600gns respectively.
The Reserve Champion in the bulls came in the shape of Ashland Nobleman (below) from Mr P Kelly, Ballreagh, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. September 2022 born, Ashland Nobleman 22 is sired by Omorga Volvo and out of Raceview Mollyfortuna. With another good Maternal (Milk) figure of +9, this bull was knocked down for 3400gns to Neill Donaghy, Co Londonderry.
Judge, Mr Robin Boyd
Also at 3400gns was Bridgewater Farm Newry from Mr JN Glasgow, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. This bull is by the popular AI sire Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, and is out of Bridgewater Farm Tanya, a Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX94 daughter. October 2022 born, Bridgewater Farm Newry was purchased by Kathleen Kearney, Downpatrick. The very first bull in the ring, Bridgewater Farm Nat, also an Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92 son, made 3100gns when selling to James Baird, Kilkeel, Co Down.
Two bulls sold at the 3000gns mark. The first of these was Kilbride Farm Nightrider 22 (P) from W H Robson & Sons, Kilbride Farm, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Heterozygous polled, this September 2022 born bull is sired by the prolific Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P), and is out of Kilbride Farm Fanni 76L (PP).
Also at 3000gns was Edenbann Nugent from Mr Nevin Smith, Garvagh, Coleraine. October 2022 born this calf is by the noted AI sire Saltire Impressive, and is out of Edenbann Jewell, an Edenbann Emperor daughter. Nugent was knocked down to Stephen Galloway, Downpatrick, Co Down.
Scotland Hill Newman Places Wins Overall Reserve Interbreed
Scotland Hill Newman from Tom Hill, Wadworth, Doncaster, made 5000gns to lead the small Simmental entry at the Melton Mowbray Multi Breed Sale held on Saturday 23rd March at Melton Mowbray Livestock market.
Earlier in the day this classy April 2022 born bull had won the Simmental section of the pre-sale show before placing as Overall Reserve Interbreed in front of the judge Janet Dunning, Settle.
Scotland Hill Newman is by Clonagh Mighty Ab Fab and is out of Scotland Hill Fauna Kim, a Popes Fendt daughter. With strong Terminal Production and Self Replacing Indexes, this bull was purchased by A & PA Hurn who run the Twyford Herd at Beck Farm, Calthorpe, Norwich.
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