Kilmore hat-trick

Kilmore hat-trick

by | Aug 10, 2015 | 2015 Northern Ireland News, 2015 Other Shows

Simmental finale at Fermanagh County Show

By Julie Hazelton 

The Armagh-based Kilmore Simmental Herd scored a hat-trick at Fermanagh County Show, scooping the breed’s supreme and reserve overall championships, and the prestigious Ivomec Super Pair of the Year award.

Owned by County Armagh businessman Chris Traynor, the Kilmore Herd was founded five years ago and currently consists of 24 breeding females.

Breeders braved the wet conditions to attend the show season finale judged by Scotsman Michael Durno. “It has been an excellent show, with a strong turnout of quality Simmental cattle,” said Mr Durno, whose 40-cow Auchorachan pedigree herd is managed alongside more than 100 commercial Simmental cows.

“I was really pleased with the junior bull class. It was a strong class with 10 good bulls, many of which I am sure will be destined for the forthcoming sales in Stirling.”

The junior bull line-up was led by Chris Traynor’s sixteen-month-old Kilmore Floyd. “He is an outstanding winner, and I had no hesitation in making him the day’s male and supreme overall champion. This bull has it all – power, length, super confirmation, and his dark red coat completes the package!”

The second placed class winner Kilmore Fitz caught the judge’s eye to secure the reserve male and reserve supreme awards. “He is a very similar bull with slightly more flesh, but lacking the power of the champion.” Kilmore Fitz was the winner of the coveted DANI Rosebowl, awarded to the highest placed weight recorded bull.

Both bulls were born in April 2014, and are sons of the herd’s 12,000gns stock sire Kilbride Farm Bantry – purchased at Stirling in February 2012.

Mr Traynor made his show ring debut earlier this year, winning the junior championship at Balmoral with Kilmore Franko; and the supreme championship at the club’s Ballymena show and sale with Kilmore Finlay sold for 4,400gns. Both were sons of Kilbride Farm Bantry.

Leading the female line-up was the February 2014 born Mullyknock Forget-Me-Not bred by Robert and Lorna Forde, Tempo. She was sired by Anatrim Bodybuilder, and is out of a dam carrying the Glenturk prefix. “This is a big growthy heifer, and I’m sure she will mature into a good breeding cow,” added the judge.

The reserve female championship went to Andrea and Keith Nelson, Rosslea, who exhibited the May 2013 Scribby Farms Elegant. She is a daughter of the herd’s jointly owned 10,000gns stock bull Drumlone Anchor.

The hotly contested Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition also reached a climax at Fermanagh County Show. Now in its 10th year, the competition is sponsored by Merial Animal Health, and attracts qualifiers from nominated provincial shows.

Merial’s Philip Clarke said: “We are proud of our long association with the NI Simmental Club. It has been another fantastic competition, with six exceptional pairs of cattle competing at today’s final.

Firm favourites for the 2015 Ivomec Super title were Chris Traynor’s Kilmore Floyd and Kilmore Fitz. They qualified at Clogher Valley Show, where Floyd also took the reserve male and reserve supreme championship awards. “They are an outstanding and perfectly matched pair of bulls,” commented the judge.

Claiming the runner-up award were the Castlewellan Show qualifiers Ballinlare Farm Edelweiss and Ballinlare Farm Esmeralda  from Joe Wilson’s 60-cow herd at Newry, County Down. Born in October 2013 they were sired by the herd’s 20,000gns stock bull Auchorachan Wizard – 2010 Perth junior and supreme overall champion. Michael Durno added: ”They are two lovely heifers, like peas in a pod.”

Philip Clarke congratulated the winners and presented the qualifiers with 200ml packs of Ivomec Super injection. “In warm wet weather it is vitally important that cattle producers use Ivomec Super endectocide to control fluke, worms and external parasites.”

Rounding off the Simmental showcase was the presentation of Danske Bank’s Male and Female of the Year Awards. This prestigious competition has been running since 1997, and the winners are determined using a scoring system which is collated at nominated shows throughout the season.

The 2015 Male of the Year award went to Ranfurly Formula 1 ET, a sixteen-month-old Carnkern Titan son from David Hazelton’s herd at Dungannon. Bred from South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd, he was supreme champion at Clogher, male champion at Lurgan and Castlewellan, and reserve male champion at Ballymena and Armagh.

Reserve Male of the Year was Dermotstown Delboy ET, stock bull in Leslie and Christopher Weatherup’s 35-cow Lisglass herd at Ballyclare. He was supreme champion at Balmoral and Ballymena shows.

Andrea and Keith Nelson, Rosslea, claimed the Female of the Year title with the May 2013 Scribby Farms Exquisiter. Sired by Drumlone Anchor, she is out of the Celtic Rock daughter Scribby Farms Cathy. This much admired heifer was first at Balmoral, supreme champion at Lurgan and Omagh, reserve champion at Armagh, female champion at Clogher, and reserve female champion at Ballymena.

Wesley Abraham from Irvinestown won the Reserve Female of the Year award with his September 2011 cow Raceview Cindy Matilda ET. This Kilbride Farm Newry daughter was supreme champion at Armagh, reserve champion at Balmoral and Ballymena, reserve female champion at Clogher, and a class winner at Omagh.

The crystal awards and commemorative rosettes were presented by John Henning, head of agricultural relations at Danske Bank, who was accompanied by Enniskillen agri-business managers Matthew Johnston and Rodney Brown.

NI Simmental Club chairman Richard Rodgers presented the Young Stockperson of the Year Award to Jason Whitcroft from the Whitdrum herd at Middletown in County Armagh. Jason is an enthusiastic young breeder who has won numerous prizes in the young handlers’ classes throughout the show season.

Richard Rodgers concluded:”Its been a great show despite the weather, and I am delighted to see such an excellent turnout of cattle. Enniskillen Show attracts spectators from all over the country, and I was pleased to see several breeders making the trip from County Cork.

“Shows are a tremendous shop window for our breed, and I would like to congratulate all of the exhibitors on their achievements this year, especially Chris Traynor who has had a tremendous first year in the show ring. Finally, a special word of thanks to our sponsors for their continued and generous support.  “


Male and supreme overall Simmental champion at Fermanagh County Show was Kilmore Floyd bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh.  

Male and supreme overall Simmental champion at Fermanagh County Show was Kilmore Floyd bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh.


Simmental Female of the Year was Scribby Farms Exquisiter owned by Andrea Nelson, Rosslea. Adding their congratulations are Rodney Brown, agri-business manager, Danske Bank Enniskillen; and John Henning, head of agricultural relations, Danske Bank.  

Simmental Female of the Year was Scribby Farms Exquisiter owned by Andrea Nelson, Rosslea. Adding their congratulations are Rodney Brown, agri-business manager, Danske Bank Enniskillen; and John Henning, head of agricultural relations, Danske Bank.


Danske Bank Simmental Male of the Year was Ranfurly Formula 1 exhibited by Jonny Hazelton, Dungannon. Adding their congratulations are Matthew Johnston, agri business manager, Enniskillen; and John Henning, head of agricultural relations, Danske Bank.  

Danske Bank Simmental Male of the Year was Ranfurly Formula 1 exhibited by Jonny Hazelton, Dungannon. Adding their congratulations are Matthew Johnston, agri business manager, Enniskillen; and John Henning, head of agricultural relations, Danske Bank.


Rodney Brown, agri-business manager, Danske Bank Enniskillen, presents the Reserve Female of the Year award to Stephen Millar, handler, and Wesley Abraham, Irvinestown, owner of Raceview Cindy Matilda ET.  

Rodney Brown, agri-business manager, Danske Bank Enniskillen, presents the Reserve Female of the Year award to Stephen Millar, handler, and Wesley Abraham, Irvinestown, owner of Raceview Cindy Matilda ET.


Leslie Weatherup, right, Ballyclare, receives the Danske Bank Reserve Simmental Male of the Year award for his senior bull Dermotstown Delboy, from club chairman Richard Rodgers, and Matthew Johnston, agri-business manager, Danske Bank.  

Leslie Weatherup, right, Ballyclare, receives the Danske Bank Reserve Simmental Male of the Year award for his senior bull Dermotstown Delboy, from club chairman Richard Rodgers, and Matthew Johnston, agri-business manager, Danske Bank.


Robert Forde, Tempo, exhibited the female champion Mullyknock Forget-Me-Not.  

Robert Forde, Tempo, exhibited the female champion Mullyknock Forget-Me-Not.


Simmental judge Michael Durno from Ballindalloch.  

Simmental judge Michael Durno from Ballindalloch.


Philip Clarke, Merial Animal Health, sponsor, presents the runner-up award in the 2015 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition, to Neil and Alan Wilson, Newry, who exhibited Ballinlare Farm Edelweiss and Ballinlare Farm Esmeralda.  

Philip Clarke, Merial Animal Health, sponsor, presents the runner-up award in the 2015 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition, to Neil and Alan Wilson, Newry, who exhibited Ballinlare Farm Edelweiss and Ballinlare Farm Esmeralda.


The 2015 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year are Kilmore Floyd and Kilmore Fitz bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh. Pictured from left: judge Michael Durno, Scotland; Chris Traynor and Richard McKeown; Philip Clarke, Merial Animal Health, sponsor; and club  

The 2015 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year are Kilmore Floyd and Kilmore Fitz bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh. Pictured from left: judge Michael Durno, Scotland; Chris Traynor and Richard McKeown; Philip Clarke, Merial Animal Health, sponsor; and club


Kilmore Fitz bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh, was the reserve supreme Simmental champion and winner of the DANI Rosebowl for the highest placed weight recorded bull at Fermanagh County Show.  

Kilmore Fitz bred by Chris Traynor, Armagh, was the reserve supreme Simmental champion and winner of the DANI Rosebowl for the highest placed weight recorded bull at Fermanagh County Show.


Andrea Nelson's Scribby Farms Elegant was reserve female Simmental champion at Fermanagh County Show

Andrea Nelson’s Scribby Farms Elegant was reserve female Simmental champion at Fermanagh County Show


Young stockperson of the year Jason Whitcroft receives his award from club chairman Richard Rodgers.

Young stockperson of the year Jason Whitcroft receives his award from club chairman Richard Rodgers.

AHDB Beef & Lamb Improved Herd Awards 2015

AHDB Beef & Lamb Improved Herd Awards 2015

by | Jul 30, 2015 | Uncategorised

Heathbrow Herd Wins Most Improved Herd Award for the Simmental breed

Heathbrow herd, owned by David and Lesley Sapsed from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the Most Improved Herd of British Simmental cattle in England for 2015.

The award is presented by the AHDB Beef & Lamb Better Returns Programme (BRP) to the recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial characteristics over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of 10 UK breeds.

Canadian genetics kick start polled herd 


The Heathbrow pedigree Simmental herd was established at High Heath Farm in 1996, following the dispersal of a dairy herd, and it has gradually replaced an existing mainly crossbred suckler herd. There are now 40 pedigree sucklers and 60 progeny on the 260 hectare (650 acre) farm, which also grows 200 hectares (500 acres) of cereals, with the assistance of long-term employee Kevin Jenkins.

“We had a few pedigree cows when we had the crossbred herd and the Simmentals had a phenomenal growth rate compared with the other breeds and plenty of milk, so we chose to build up their numbers,” says David.

“Lesley and I can manage them comfortably, having weeded out any temperament issues we came across.” They have now also proven they have great longevity on the farm.

They decided at the outset that polled Simmentals were the future. They felt Canada was where the best polled cattle were at that time and imported a polled bull and heifer from the AWL herd.

“Unfortunately the bull had an accident and died leaving no heifer calves, but the influence of AWL Starlet has been tremendous winning 10 breed championships and five interbreeds,” David says.

“However, her main contribution has been through her progeny. Although she has retired at over 20 years old, there are currently 19 descendants at Heathbrow, including three in the show team.”

Not all female lines on the farm are polled, but where horned animals have been bought they have come from outstanding female families, explains David. However, polled stock bulls have always been used alongside polled sires selected for Artificial Insemination. The result of careful selection and breeding means the herd is now 60 to 70 per cent polled.

Figures support pedigree stock selection

The current stock bull, Celtic Comet, was imported from Ireland three years ago and his progeny are almost all polled.  He has a Terminal Sire Index of 91 and Self-Replacing Index of 95.  He and the previous stock bull, Dirnanean Welcome 1, have both also had good Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) figures.

“When we buy a bull, we have to like the look of him first, then we check the indexes and want them to be within the top 20 per cent of the breed,” explains David.


The EBVs for Milk, Calving Ease and Gestation Length are also used as a management guide. Paying attention to Calving Ease Index in their bulls means the Sapseds have an easy calving herd. “Weighing the cattle regularly for Breedplan is a good discipline and highlights the above average 200 and 400-day weights,” adds David.

They also take a keen interest in the families of stock they buy. “It’s rare for us to buy a bull or heifer without seeing its mother, grandmother and sisters if possible.”

The Sapseds enjoy showing their stock, with help from Richard Davis. Their successes include the breed’s National Show championships in 2013 and 2014 with different animals, and the Reserve Champion with Heathbrow Freddie Star 14, a grandson of AWL Starlet in 2015, so the look of animals is important.

But these animals have also had good figures with Freddie Star having a Terminal Sire Index and a Self-Replacing Index in the top 20 per cent of the breed and the 2014 winner Heathbrow Duchess with both indices falling within the top ten per cent.

Performance recording boost sales

They started performance recording with Breedplan when some of the buyers of their pedigree stock began to ask for figures and it has also proven to be a good tool for managing the herd. “Combined with showing, it has helped move the herd upwards. We can see our EBV figures rising as we take out the bottom of the herd,” says David.

The quality of the herd means almost all bulls and heifers are sold from the farm. Often an initial contact is made at a show where doing well has helped build their reputation, but many repeat buyers continue to return when they want stock.

The aim of the herd is to breed stock fit for pedigree breeding, as replacements and to sell to other breeders. There are inevitably a few that are not quite good enough for breeding and the Sapseds

Simmental club set to stage elite female show and sale at Moira on 5th September

Simmental club set to stage elite female show and sale at Moira on 5th September

by | Jul 27, 2015 | 2015 Northern Ireland News, 2015 Other Sales

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has announced details of its forthcoming Elite Female Show and Sale.

The one-day event is scheduled to take place at the Pedigree Sales Arena near Moira on Saturday 5th September, and has been organised to mark the 45th anniversary of the breed’s importation into the UK.

Club chairman Richard Rodgers said: ”Plans are well underway for the sale, and I am pleased to announce that the catalogue will include 32 heifers from many of the province’s leading herds. The heifers range in age from March 2013 to October 2014, and have been individually inspected on-farm by Irish breeder Peter O’Connell from the noted Raceview Herd based at Mallow, County Cork.


“The sale is a significant milestone in the history of the breed, celebrating 45 years of Simmental breeding in the UK.”

Judging commences at 10.30am, with all entries coming under scrutiny from British Simmental Cattle Society president David Donnelly, who runs the Atlow Herd in Derbyshire. The sale gets underway at 1.00pm and will be conducted by Taaffe Auctions.

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe said: “Buyers will be spoilt for choice, and all prospective purchasers are assured that the catalogue comprises of one of the most exclusive selections of Simmental females to be offered in the UK and Ireland.

“All entries come from high health status herds, and will be inspected by a veterinary surgeon prior to the sale. They will be sold under the auspices of the National Beef Association.

“He continued: ”Vendors will carry out the necessary pre-movement tests, and all animals will be eligible for immediate export at the fall of the hammer.”

Richard Rodgers added:” The sale boasts a super selection of maiden and in-calf females, and will offer breeders from throughout the UK and Ireland a unique opportunity to purchase the cream of Northern Ireland’s genetics.

“Local Simmental breeders are among the best in the UK, and are continually hitting the headlines in the show and sale rings at national events such as the Stirling Bull Sales. Our Elite Female Show and Sale will act as shop window for NI-bred genetics, and we look forward to showcasing our cattle on September 5th.

by | Jul 23, 2015 | Uncategorised

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL DNA SAMPLES FOR THE BULLS YOU ARE ENTERING FOR STIRLING OCTOBER ARE SENT TO THE OFFICE BY NO LATER THAN THE 14TH AUGUST OR LATE FEES WILL BE APPLIED.

HERD HEALTH DECLARATIONS MUST ALSO BE SENT TO THE OFFICE BY NO LATER THAN THE 14TH AUGUST.



Simmental Society involved in trials in Cumbria and Yorkshire dales.

by | Jul 15, 2015 | Uncategorised

Monitoring the performance of different breeds of cattle on commons or rough grazing

The aims of which are to increase understanding of  how grazing breeding or growing cattle on a common, allotment or other rough grazing affects:

•             growth rates of the animals

•             the quality and quantity of grass available in-bye for conservation or feeding other stock

•             the rough grazing vegetation

And identify any problems with grazing rough ground or a common

We are monitoring:

•         Growth rates or condition score changes

•         Grass quality on rough ground

•         Grass quality and some growth rates on in-bye

•         Fertiliser inputs on in-bye

•         Any health problems or management issues

•         Cost/ benefit analysis

6 of the 12 farmers participating have some Simmentals or Simmental crosses in their herds.