Stars of the Future Pedigree Calf Show

by Iain | Nov 17, 2012 | Uncategorised

By Richard Pettit, Scottish Club Secretary.

Judge  Mrs Vikki Wood, Popes Herd.

A large entry of Simmental calves from all over Scotland were forward for our Judge, Mrs Vikki Woods of the well-known Popes herd to place.

Overall Senior Champion was from the Stronachs with Islavale Cassius 11 by Woodhall Walker.

Senior female Champion was Corskie Cegem by Popes Laird.

Overall Junior Champion was Kennox Taras Diva, by Popes Laird, from David Craig, with Overhill House Data by Overhill House Volvo Junior Male Champion.

 Lauren Stronach continued the Stronachs successful day, by winning their classes in the Junior interbreed Young handlers competition.

Class  25  Bulls born 11^th August, 2011 to 24^th September, 2011

1^st           Louise Moffat, Braidwood Copper 11

2^nd          D. & R. Durno, Auchorachan Chubbs

3^rd           R. McCulloch, Overhill House Controversial

Class 26  Bulls born 3^rd October, 2011 to 18^th October, 2011

1^st           G. & M. Smith, Drumsleed Canyon

2^nd          W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Crackerjack

3^rd           A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Crailing 11

Class 27  Bulls born  28^th November, 2011 to 23rd December, 2011

1^st           W. S. Stronach,  Islavale Cassius 11

2^nd          J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Chicago 11

3^rd           Heather Duff, Pitmudie Cassino Royale 12

4^th          A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Claghy 11

Class 28 Heifers born 3^rd  August, 2011 to 21^st  September, 2011

1^st           J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Cee Me

2^nd          Mr & Mrs L. Moffat, Innerwick Christina

3^rd           J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Charmer

Class 29  Heifers born 28^th September, 2011 to 12^th December, 2011

1^st           W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Cegem

2^nd          W. S. Stronach, Islavale Candy

3^rd           J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Calamity Jane

4^th           W. S. Stronach, Islavale Mistress

Class 30  Bulls born 5^th January, 2012 to 25^th Febraury, 2012

1^st           J. C. McLaren & Partners, Dargill Duke 12

2^nd          T. A. & E. Henderson, Dresswood Drew 12 TM

3^rd           A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Domino 12

Class 31  Bulls born 3^rd  March, 2012 to 7^th May, 2012

1^st           R. McCulloch, Overhill House Data 12

2^nd    David Lowry, Keeldrum Darius 12

3^rd           Heather Duff, Cairnview Darby 12

Class 32    Heifers born 2^nd  January, 2012 to  3^rd March, 2012

1^st           David Craig, Kennox Taras Diva

2^nd          Douglas W. Smith, Boswell Diamond

3^rd           W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Doris

4^th           D. & R. Durno & Sons, Auchorachan Diamond

Class 33     Heifers born 13^th March, 2012 to  28^th April, 2012

1^st           R. McCulloch, Overhill House  Daisy

2^nd          R. McCulloch, Overhill House Dior Dem

3^rd           David Lowry, Keeldrum Herta D1

Borderway Agri Expo Simmental Calf Show 2012

by Iain | Nov 2, 2012 | Uncategorised

There was a record entry of calves for the second year that a Simmental calf show was held at the H&H Agri Expo, Carlisle.
Again the attendance was over 10,000 people with a strong interest in all things beef and sheep related, to what is now considered one of the best livestock events of its kind in the country.

Simmental entries were a record 38, which is an encouraging increase from the first year. The Judge for the day was well known cattle and sheep breeder Neil McGowan, Blairgowrie, Scotland (Dirnanean Herd).

A big thank you must go to our sponsors, Main sponsors Carrs Billington, Bowland Foods, Baxter Marwood and Brown Vets, Brockholes Arms Auction Mart, Paragon vet group, David Hazelton (Ranfurly Simmentals), David Donnelley (Preserva & Atlow Simmentals), Barlow Trailers, P. Fitton, Showtime Supplies, Jim Peet Agriculture, D A Harrison, Hopes Auction Mart, Ian Anderson Quad Bikes and The British Simmental Cattle Society.

Results

Class 1 Male calf born 01/10/11 – 31/12/11
1st £100 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Chicago 11 04/12/11 Sire; Kilbride Farm Rainman Dam; Dirnanean Virginia
2nd £75 B G & L Allan Glenturk Cosworth 11 26/11/11 Sire; Omorga Volvo Dam: Glenturk Nemesis
3rd £50 J D Loftus Blackpool Chaz 11 02/12/11 Sire; Hockenhull Rupert Dam; Blackpool Primrose
4th £25 A & K Gamble Farnell Crailing 11 16/10/11 Sire; Keeldrum Schubert Dam; Fole Victoria

Class 2 Male calf born on or after 01/01/12
1st £100 Mr D Lowry Keeldrum Darius 23/04/12 Sire; Pode Hole Aztec Dam; Darsham Slinky
2nd £75 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Dafydd 07/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Jacob Julie
3rd £50 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Darcy 12 25/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Hale Bopp Nell
4th £25 J David Loftus Blackpool Dennis 12 17/03/12 Sire; Corskie Pilot Dam; Blackpool Whatsit

Class 3 Female calf born 01/10/11 – 31/12/11
1st £100 D L & S Currie Braegarrie Cassandra 31/10/11 Sire; Corskie Regal Dam; Braegarrie Angela
2nd £75 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Calamity Jane 01/10/11 Sire; Blackford Albatross Dam; Hockenhull Rona 9th
3rd £50 D L & S Currie Braegarrie Camilla 01/11/11 Sire; Corskie Regal Dam; Braegarrie Pernilla
4th £25 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Claire 04/10/11 Blackford Albatross Newbiemains Vicky

Class 4 Female calf born on or after 01/01/12
1st £100 M A Barlow Denizes Trixie-Belle 6th 17/02/12 Sire; Auchorachan Wizard Dam; Denizes Trixie-Belle 3rd
2nd £75 M/S J H & VG Wood Popes Nellys Darling 02/01/12 Sire; Banwy Wonderboy Dam; Popes Nellys Surprise
3rd £50 M A Barlow Denzies Tonia 4th (ET) 27/01/12 Sire; Ashland Tornado Dam; Denizes Tonia 2nd
4th £25 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Ringleader Miranda 26/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Kramer Miranda

Class 5 Pair of animals from one breeder
1st M A Barlow
2nd D L & S Currie

Class 6 Young handlers age 10 to 30
1st £75 Robert Currie
2nd £50 Tom Peile
3rd £25 Neil Goldie
4th £20 Dafydd Jones
5th £20 Jack Peile
6th £20 Sam Barlow
7th £20 Kate Lowry

Champion: M A Barlow – Denizes Trixie-Belle 6th
Reserve Champion: D L & S Currie – Braegarrie Cassandra

Changing of the colours at Pitgaveny

by Iain | Oct 29, 2012 | Uncategorised

Pitgaveny Estate in Moray has been in the Dunbar family ownership for many generations, extending to 2000ha (in excess of 4900acres), of this 1000ha remain in the farming enterprise, with 284ha ran organically, it is run by Farm Manager Martin Birse with Stockman Geoff Anderson responsible for the livestock.

The Suckler herd is split into two calving periods, 100 backend calving cows and 120 spring calvers, all of these are now Simmental cross.

In 1996 the decision was made to close the herd, predominately for health reasons, and at the Perth Bull sales in February 1996 Innerwick Eclipse was bought for 5500gn. It was this first Simmental purchase that started what has turned into a passionate following for the Simmental breed. In recent years five bulls have been purchased at prices of 10000gn or more with Martin insisting that “it pays to invest in quality and whilst paying considerably over the average price for bulls they are consistently breeding better than average calves”. The herd sires at present are Pasturehouse Snickers, Corskie Woody, Grangewood Storm and the most recently purchased 11,000gn Drumacritten Arnold.

This initial Simmental purchase led to a complete changing of colours at Pitgaveny, originally all the herd sires were Charolais but the performance of the Simmental and the demand for surplus Simmental heifers, coupled with a desire to have easier calving and instant suckling of calves led to all Charolais being replaced by Simmentals.

All the cows run in and out prior to calving to keep them physically fit, the backend cows graze on sparsely covered fields and on straw while inside overnight, after calving they are fed silage/ draff and straw with minerals. The spring calvers are out-wintered on stubble turnips and a TMR ration made up of pea straw/draff/minerals and then silage is added one month prior to calving.

The Spring born calves are weaned at just over six months of age and by this time the bull calves are taking 5kg a head per day resulting in no standstill period after weaning. Bulls are then fed a barley based ration with clean straw available but not mixed through the feed as this can reduce total intake, they are marketed through Vion and Mathers and are all finished under 14 months with over 90% achieving grades of U– or better. The Autumn born bull calves are weaned prior to the cows going to grass and then finished the same way as the spring born calves.

The heifers are treated in a completely different manner, spring born calves are over-wintered on a silage/straw ration with minerals but no concentrates then grazed one full season before being sold off the grass at approx 17-18 months old. The Autumn born calves are overwintered after weaning and then sold out of the house again at 17-18months old. The majority are sold privately at £400 per head above store price with most buyers nowadays being repeat customers.

It was this premium along with the ability of the bulls to finish and grade well that drove the change of colours from Charolais to Simmental at Pitgaveny.

Bull selection is important for Pitgaveny and all tools are used with particular attention to calving ease EBV’s, calving daughters and 200 day weights.
Whilst buying bulls at the top end of the sale is not for every commercial farmer. Martin calculates that on average it only adds £30 to the price of each calf over the normal breeding life of a bull, but he reiterates that this is a sound investment.

Simmental bulls to 3,400gns and heifers to 2,400gns at Dungannon

by Iain | Oct 11, 2012 | Uncategorised

Pedigree bulls reached a ceiling of 3,400gns in a selective trade at the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s autumn show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart on 11th October.

Topping the sale and setting a new herd record of 3,400gns was the March 2011 born Pointfarms Columbo, bred and exhibited by Frank and Matthew Cunning from Glarryford, County Antrim.

Sired by the Raceview King son Hiltonstown Warrior, he is bred from the Cleenagh Nelson daughter Pointfarms Vixen – one of 12 cows in the herd which was established in 2006. This third prize winning entry caught the eye of Jim Hewitt.

New breeder Stephen Millar from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, who founded the 12-cow Glenrock herd three years ago, was making his debut in the show and sale rings, and was delighted to secure the day’s male and supreme overall championship plaudits.

Leading the prize winning line-up was the July 2011 born Glenrock Cannon Ball, a Hillcrest King son, bred from a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter carrying the Magheracrigan prefix. He came under the hammer of auctioneer Trevor Wylie at 2,600gns, selling to pedigree breeder Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.

Following close behind at 2,500gns was the July 2011 born Woodford Crackerjack, bred and exhibited by Mrs Thelma Gorman from Armagh. Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, he was bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. Shown successfully during the summer, he was snapped up by Kenny Veitch from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh.

Judge Thomas Hamilton, Rock, Dungannon, awarded the reserve championship to Knockreagh Conrad, a June 2011 born Omorga Volvo son, shown by the father and son team of Val and Conrad Fegan from Rostrevor, County Down. This one was bred from a Freighduff Brendan daughter carrying the Raceview prefix. He failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn from the salering unsold.

“The champion and reserve complement one another very well. The overall winner is a super ended bull with good conformation, and carried himself well on sound legs and feet,” added the judge.

The pre-sale show was generously sponsored by Bruces Hill Cattle Company and Farm Shop, who provided a new trophy for the overall champion. Stephen Buick presented the Bruces Hill Perpetual Cup to Stephen Millar.

Pedigree females peaked at 2,400gns, paid to Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, for the female champion Corrick Chelsea. Born in March 2011 and sired by Omorga Tarbuck, she is bred from the Hillcrest Naughty daughter Corrick Sunset, and is a full sister to Corrick Benson – intermediate and supreme Perth champion in October 2011. Buyer was Robin Boyd who runs the noted Slievenagh herd based at Portglenone, County Antrim.

Next best at 2,200gns was the fifth prize winning Sperrin View Crystal, a June 2011 born daughter of the 20,000 Euro Curaheen Tyson, out of a home-bred dam by Ballinlare Farm Rival. Consigned by William Ferguson, Stewartstown, she sold to Richard Booth.

The May 2010 born in-calf heifer Woodford Bluebell came under the hammer at 2,100gns for Mrs Thelma Gorman, Armagh. Sired by Sacombe Edgar, this second prize winner is bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. In-calf to Kilbride Farm Newry, she sold to John Jardine.

Pedigree bulls averaged £2,690, while 10 pedigree heifers changed hands to level at £1,885 each.

An entry of commercial Simmental females met a ready market with in-calf heifers peaking at £1,160 twice, paid to Seamus Casey, Dungannon, and Henry Rice, Castlewellan. Other leading prices include: Seamus Casey £1,120, Henry Rice £1,080 and £1,020 twice.

Maiden heifers achieved a top of £710 over weight, paid to Roland Hadden, Dungannon, for a 490kgs heifer at £1,200 (245); and £680 over weight, also paid to Roland Hadden for a 500kgs heifer at £1,180 (236). PJ Kearney, Plumbridge, also realised £680 over weight for a 420kgs heifer at £1,080 (258).

Cows with bull calf at foot sold at £1,260 and £1,240 for John Perry, Dundonald.

The commercial section of the sale was kindly sponsored by McGirr Haulage based at Tempo, County Fermanagh.

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull, born between 23/12/10 and 10/04/11 – 1, William Ferguson, Stewartstown, Sperrin View Champion by Delfur T Bone; 2, John Warnock, Carrowdore, Templefyn Caleb by Dirnanean Reno; 3, Frank and Matthew Cunning, Glarryford, Pointfarms Columbo by Hiltonstown Warrior.

Bull, born between 07/05/11 and 04/07/11 – 1, Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, Knockreagh Conrad by Omorga Volvo; 2, John Warnock, Templefyn Clint by Kilbride Farm Newry; 3, David and Margaret Thompson, Ahoghill, Lummin Conrad by Hiltonstown Aristocrat.

Bull, born between 07/07/11 and 25/09/11 – 1, Stephen Millar, Newtownstewart, Glenrock Cannon Ball by Hillcrest King; 2, David and Margaret Thompson, Lummin Cecil by Hiltonstown Aristrocrat; 3, Sean Burns, Rathfriland, Longbeach Caesar by Kilbride Farm Viduka.

Heifer, born between 23/05/10 and 24/02/11 – 1, Joe Wilson, Newry, Ballinlare Farm Cinders by Raceview Valintino Miracle; 2, Mrs Thlema Gorman, Armagh, Woodford Bluebell by Sacombe Edgar; 3, Harry and John Moore, Beragh, Omorga Connie by Sterling Herkules.

Heifer, born between 13/03/11 and 29/04/11 – 1, Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, Corrick Chelsea by Omorga Tarbuck; 2, Cecil McIlwaine, Corrick Chloe by Omorga Tarbuck; 3, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, Lisglass Connie by Omorga Regan.

Heifer, born between 21/05/11 and 06/07/11 – 1, Andrew Hanna, Irvinestown, Stralongford Candice by Bridgemount Vixon; 2, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Cream by Raceivew Stanley; 3, Andrew Hanna, Stralongford Carol by Omorga Volvo.

Leading Ladies Sale has 13,000gns top call and complete clearance at Carlisle

by Iain | Aug 24, 2012 | Uncategorised

The inaugural Simmental Society ‘Leading Ladies’ Sale of pedigree females, held at Carlisle, experienced a blistering trade, with 100% clearance for the entries on offer.
Top call of the day was 13,000gns for a heifer and calf unit consigned by B & E Chadwick, Derbyshire. Chadstone Tollies Delight 6th, a Camus Brandy daughter out of a Dirnanean Jacob dam, sold with her Omorga Volvo sired heifer calf at foot and was knocked down to Hunnyhill Farms, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Following at 7,300gns was 16-month old maiden heifer Corskie Cherry, from WJ & J Green. She is sired by Ballinalare Nightrider and descends from a family line packed with notable show winners, and claimed a 3rd prize ticket at this year’s Highland Show herself. Boasting the highest figures in the catalogue, with a TSI of +83 and an SRI of +93 (both in the top 5% of the breed) she also travels to the Isle of Wight to join the Hunnyhill herd.

Selling at 6,200gns was the in-calf Heifer class winner, and Reserve Overall Champion; Corskie Barbie from WJ & J Green, Fochabers. A daughter of the noted sire Popes Laird, she sold PD’d in calf to the 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Tarrant to Banchory, Aberdeenshire-based breeder Ian Wilson.

At the same money was Sacombe Corona-Kleeb from Mr & Mrs PB & JA Borlase. This 16-month old maiden heifer is a daughter of stock sire Grangewood William and comes from the herd’s noted 7-generation ‘Kleeb’ family line. She also heads to the Hunnyhill Herd, Isle of Wight.

The pre-sale show Supreme Champion, Boars Head Meierisli 5th, then sold at 5,600gns. She is sired by Seaview Prince Charming and arrived at the sale having won a string of 1st prizes from the show circuit; including Kent County and the South of England Shows. She was knocked down to John Gough, Ellerton Grange, Shropshire.

The Hunnyhill herd’s purchasing continued with a 5,000gns call for Woodhall Billi, a 2-year-old heifer from Hector Macaskill. She is sired by the homebred Woodhall Volcano, a Corrick Kentucky Kid son and is out of a homebred Mackney Hector daughter.

Averages: 1 Heifer with calf £13,650 4 In calf Heifers £4,410 16 Maiden Heifers £3,570

Judge: Mrs Linda Burditt – Brookyn Herd