Edenvale Herd Scoops Top Honours at Balmoral Debut

by Iain | May 18, 2012 | Uncategorised

By Julie Hazelton

The Templepatrick-based Bruces Hill Cattle Company claimed the championship plaudits at this year’s Balmoral Show.

Breed newcomer Mike Frazer founded the Edenvale herd in 2009, and was making his debut appearance on the Northern Ireland Simmental show circuit.

Judge, Bertie Houston, Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, awarded the male and supreme overall championship to the senior bull class winner, Hockenhull Ali Baba. This three-year-old stock bull is by Kilbride Farm Newry and was purchased with his dam, Hockenhull Deborah 4th, at the Hockenhull dispersal sale in 2009.

Claiming the reserve supreme ribbons was the female champion, Ballinlare Farm Buttercup 2nd, brought out by Joe Wilson and sons from Newry, County Down. Born in January 2010 she is by the 20,000 Euro Irish record holder Curaheen Tyson, while her dam is the Innerwick Krackerjack daughter, Ballinlare Farm Pussy Galore – one of 60 cows in the herd which was founded in 1984. She is in-calf to the herd’s 20,000gns stock bull, Auchorachan Wizard – junior and supreme Perth champion in February 2010.

First-time Simmental exhibitor Duncan McDowell who owns the Newtownards-based Castlemount herd, scooped the reserve male championship award with his recently acquired herd sire, Slievenagh Bon Jovi. Bred by Robin and Darla Boyd, Portglenone, this December 2010 born entry is by Slievenagh Willem, and is out of Slievenagh Whitney.

Mike Frazer also won the reserve female honours with his senior cow, Hockenhull Natalie 34th. This eight-year-old cow was one of three foundation females purchased at the Hockenhull dispersal. Her sire was the 12,000gns Dovefields Gallant, while her dam was Hockenhull Natalie 27th.

In the junior championship line-up top honours went to the father and son team of Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare. They brought out the home-bred Lisglass Clover 2nd, a January 2011 born heifer by the 10,000gns Slimero Victory. She is out of a dam from the noted Eunice family at Kilbride Farm.

Runner-up for the junior championship award was the thirteen-month-old bull Lurgill Cooldude, an Omorga Volvo son bred by Alan and Ann Kennedy from Upper Ballinderry near Lisburn. He was bred from the Freighduff Brendan daughter, Clonagh Tneva.

Leading the intermediate heifer class was the September 2010 born Raceview Royal Beauty 491 ET, exhibited by John McMordie, and sons William and Andrew, from Ballygowan, County Down. Sired by Raceview Nigel, she was purchased at the Raceview sale in 2011, and is one of five breeding females in the Solitude herd which dates back to 1972.

The McMordie trio are synonymous in Hereford breeding circles, and were delighted to take first and second prize rosettes in the intermediate heifer classes, especially as this was their first appearance in the Balmoral Simmental ring for over 10 years.

Rounding off the Simmental classes at Balmoral Show was the competition for the best pair of animals owned by exhibitor. It was won this year by Mike Frazer’s senior bull Hockenhull Ali Baba, and senior cow Hockenhull Natalie 27th. They qualify for the 2012 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition, sponsored by Merial Animal Health.

David Hazelton, Dungannon, was runner-up with two home-bred senior heifers, Ranfurly Weikel 6th and Ranfurly Weikel 7th.

Commenting after the judging, NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman Nigel Glasgow, congratulated the winners and thanked all of the exhibitors for taking part. “Agricultural shows are a great shop window for the Simmental breed, and I would like to thank all of the exhibitors for their hard work and dedication. This has been the largest entry of Simmentals at Balmoral for many years, and has featured a strong entry of quality cattle, representing several new comers as well as long established herds.”

Specials

The Bobbie Dickson Perpetual Trophy for the champion Simmental: Bruces Hill Cattle Company. Reserve: Joe Wilson.

British Simmental Cattle Society Engraved Crystal Glasses for the champion: Bruces Hill Cattle Company.

Imex Perpetual Cow Bell for the champion female: Joe Wilson. Reserve: Bruces Hill Cattle Company.

Bangor and Six Road Ends Farmers’ Union Perpetual Trophy for the female champion: Joe Wilson.

Bobbie Gamble Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best Simmental heifer: Joe Wilson.

William Black Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the male champion: Bruces Hill Cattle Company. Reserve: Duncan McDowell.

NI Simmental Club Silver Award for the best exhibit bred in Northern Ireland: Joe Wilson. Reserve: Duncan McDowell.

News Letter Sheild for the junior champion: Leslie and Christopher Weatherup. Reserve: Alan and Ann Kennedy.

NI Simmental Club Award for the best exhibitor-bred bull: Alan and Ann Kennedy.

Qualifer for the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year: Bruces Hill Cattle Company.

Classes

Cow, born before 01/01/09, in-calf or in-milk – 1, Bruces Hill Cattle Company, Templepatrick, Hockenhull Natalie 34th by Dovefields Gallant.

Heifer, born between 01/01/10 and 30/06/10 – 1, Joe Wilson, Newry, Ballinlare Farm Buttercup by Curaheen Tyson; 2, David Hazelton, Dungannon, Ranfurly Weikel 7th by Lykke Sirius; 3, David Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 6th by Raceview King.

Heifer, born between 01/07/10 and 31/12/10 – 1, John McMordie, Ballygowan, Raceivew Beauty Royal 419 ET by Raceview Nigel; 2, John McMordie, Kilbride Farm Eunice 112B by Kilbride Farm Newry; 3, David Hazelton, Ranfurly Kleeb 25th by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/11 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, Lisglass Clover 2nd by Slimero Victory; 2, Alan and Ann Kennedy, Upper Ballinderry, Shiloh Cherry by Seaview Tommy; 3, Wesley Abraham, Irvinestown, Magheracrigan Clare 2nd by Omorga Volvo.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/10 – 1, Bruces Hill Cattle Company, Hockenhull Ali Baby by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Duncan McDowell, Newtownards, Slievenagh Bon Jovi by Slievenagh Willem.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/11 – 1, Alan and Ann Kennedy, Lurgill Cooldude by Omorga Volvo; 2, Jonathan Farrell, Markethill, Corhammock Cosmo Clarke by Camus Frontier; 3, Thelma Gorman, Armagh, Woodford Crackerjack II by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Bruces Hill Cattle Company; 2, David Hazelton; 3, Duncan McDowell.

Simmental club support for NSPCC

by Iain | May 16, 2012 | Uncategorised

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has presented a cheque for £6,250 to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The money was raised at the club’s annual charity BBQ and auction, held recently in Dungannon Rugby Club.

Presenting the cheque, club chairman Nigel Glasgow, thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the event. “It gives me great pleasure to present this cheque on behalf of the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club. Thanks to everyone for their support, especially the ladies who provided the beautiful array of salads and desserts, and to all club members who sold a large number of raffle tickets, and the local businesses who donated items for the ballot and auction.”

Jennifer Hobson, chairperson of the NSPCC’s Dungannon committee said:”This is a tremendous amount of money, and it is a wonderful boost to our charity. The money will be used to fund projects in the local area.

“The Dungannon committee has been in existence for a long time, and it is getting harder to keep up a high level of fund raising, especially in the current economic climate. We run various events throughout the year, but we don’t have the means to raise this level of funding.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the Simmental Club’s BBQ . We really enjoyed the event and the food was delicious.”

Introduced to increase Power, size, milk and weight for age

by Iain | May 12, 2012 | Uncategorised

Forsham  Farm,  Sutton  Valence,   Maidstone in  Kent  has  been  owned  by  the  Bates  family since 1945 and is run by Nick Bates. Originally

Pedigree Sussex cattle were the dominant breed but over time Limousin was introduced and most recently Simmental genetics were introduced to put power, size milk and growth into the herd. The farm extends to 324 acres of which 80 are arable the remainder is in grass, 1200 bales of silage are produced annually and a small amount of hay is produced for convenience to be used in calving pens etc.

Cow numbers total 120 with all now having an influence of Simmental blood, the cows calf from February through until mid April, four bulls are ran with the cows in groups of 30 and the bulls are taken out after 12 weeks, no passengers are carried, any empty cows are moved on.

There are no special requirements at calving, all calves navels are dipped in 10% iodine solution and male calves are castrated for ease of management, otherwise the natural maternal instincts of the Simmental take care of the rest.

Turn out occurs in mid April and the bulls are put in very soon after. Cows get a Hi-mag bolus prior to turn out. 18% protein creep is introduced to the calves from mid July onwards on an ad lib basis. All calves are vaccinated with Rispoval 4 , the first dose applied in late September/early October and the 2nd dose along with a pour-on wormer when they are housed in October-mid November depending on the

season, the cows then get an iodine bolus and are wormed at housing. Weaning then takes place once the calves have become acclimatised indoors and this has proven to reduce weaning stress enormously.

Winter rations are simple, a TMR of 50% silage and 50% straw with the addition of fruit which is sourced locally as supermarket waste, containing oranges, apples, bananas, grapes and even grapefruit.This simple ration is fed to the cows and all the young stock, the young stock get beef nuts twice a day and once calved the cows get beef nuts until turn out.

Weaned calves are grouped and stored over the winter on the TMR ration, 10-12 heifers will be selected every year as replacements the rest either sold privately for  further  breeding or through the auction market. Steer calves are sold  the  following  spring in time to make room for calving, periodic weighing takes place over the winter to monitor growth rates and feed conversion efficiency.

Recently batches of calves have been tested for BVD and have all been clear, there are plans to take the herd into a CHeCS health scheme in the future.

The herd has been the Hobbs Parker suckler herd of the year many times since introducing Simmental genetics and Nick said “if we hadn’t introduced Simmental we wouldn’t be where we are now” It can also be seen from the weekly report from Hobbs-Parker that the Simmental influence is growing fast in the South of England.

Below sale report from steer calves from 8 to 10 months old

Scottish Simmental Club Annual Show and Sale of Commercial Simmental Females

by Iain | May 7, 2012 | Uncategorised

The Scottish Club held its Annual Show of Commercial females at United Auctions, Stirling Mart on 7^th May 2012.

Simmental heifers were clearly in demand for their excellent Maternal ability, with the First prize pen of four heifers over 15 months from Clive Houldey, Kirtleton, selling for £1400 with bulling heifers selling to £1700 for the second prize pen of four from Messrs Dyet, East Merkland.

Champion Simmental x heifer with a Simmental calf at foot sold for £2350, from Hector Macaskill who also won the best pen of four heifer sunder 15 months old selling for £1300.

Results of Show, kindly sponsored by Carrs Billington Ltd.

Pen of 4 Simmental x bulling heifers, under 15 months.
1st Mr MacAskill, Woodhall – £1300
Mr Short, Balquhadly – £960

Pen of 4 Simmental x bulling heifers, over 15 months
1st Mr Houldey, Kirtleton – £1400
2nd Mr Dyet, East Merkland – £1700

Simmental x Heifer and Calf
1st Mr McAskill, Woodhall -£2350
2nd Mr Gillon, Arnbathie – £2150

Simmental producing milky, functional cows on Down suckler farm

by Iain | Mar 29, 2012 | Uncategorised

by Julie Hazelton
Simmental is noted for its dual purpose attributes and when it comes to breeding milky, functional suckler cows the continental breed is at the forefront of the breeding programme for County Down farmers Francis and Fergal Watson.

The father and son team farm over 750 acres near the villages of Rubane, Kearney and Cloughey on the Ards Peninsula. They were hosts of the 2011 Northern Ireland Ploughing Championships, and run a herd of 250 suckler cows, the majority of which are spring calving.

“We’ve been using Simmental stock bulls for years,” stated Francis, who ceased milk production in 2008. “We used to run a British Friesian dairy herd alongside 110 suckler cows, but since we stopped dairying the suckler herd has more than doubled in size.”

The mainstay of the suckler herd traces back to British Friesian cross cows and also comprises of other continental crosses. However, over the past two or three years Francis and Fergal have been using Simmental as the main maternal sire. “The Simmental is the ideal cross on other breeds. The females have hybrid vigor, good big frames, are very hardy. The more Simmental blood the better!”

When looking for a Simmental stock bull Francis Watson aspires to buy a red coated bull with good conformation. “I specifically like red bulls as they stamp the Simmental markings on other breeds. I like a long, growthy bull with a good broad back, but not too sharp at the shoulder. Sound legs and feet are also important, as well as calving index.”

Stock bulls are purchased at the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club ‘s official show and sale at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. The herd’s senior stock bull is Ashland Teviot, an October 2006 born bull bred by current breed club chairman, Pat Kelly, and son Frank, from Tempo, County Fermanagh.

Ashland Teviot was purchased for 5,000gns and was the reserve supreme champion at the Simmental Club’s sale in April 2008. Sired by Raceview Nigel, his dam is the Hast daughter Corlesmore Clodagh. With a calving ease score of +3.5 this bull is in the breed’s top 10%, and is +6 for milk which is ideal for breeding replacement females.

“Now over five years of age, Ashland Teviot is still going strong and has really made his mark on the herd. Daughters are like peas in a pod, and have a good temperament and plenty of milk,” added Fergal.

The herd’s junior stock bull is the February 2010 born Knockreagh Barney, bred by Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, County Down. Bought at Dungannon last year, he was a second prize winner and came under the hammer at, 3,800gns. Sired by the Cleenagh Flasher son, Omorga Volvo, his dam is a home-bred Ballinalare Farm Nemesis daughter. His daughter calving ease score is +2.6, also in the breeds top 10%.

Francis added:”This time last year we had four Simmental stock bulls, but unfortunately one got hurt, and the other was getting too closely related to the younger females within the herd. This spring we’ll be on the look-out for another couple of Simmental bulls.”

Heifers calve into the herd at two-years-old, and all cows and heifers are calved in the house and turned out to grass from the end of February onwards. “Most of our land is close to the shore and the fields are made up of good free draining soil. Weather permitting we put the cows and calves out in small batches,” explained Fergal.

“This is a closed herd and we breed all our own suckler replacements. We are gradually trying to improve the quality of our suckler herd, and have been focusing on using good quality Simmental bulls and retaining our best home-bred heifers. The Simmental crosses are docile, milky, easy calving and have great mothering ability. The Simmental is noted for its longevity, and in the future we would like to be in a position to sell surplus heifers.”

Calves are weaned at between seven and eight months of age. “The Simmental cows have plenty of milk and the calves are in great bloom, which reduces the need for expensive creep feed,” added Fergal.

Three cuts of silage are harvested annually using a forage wagon. “We have new swards rich in clover and this high sugar, high protein silage is fed to the youngstock, while the ryegrass swards produce stemy silage for the dry cows,” explained Fergal.

The Watson’s grow 300 acres of cereals annually – barley, wheat and oats, as well as 25 acres of kale and 25 acres of fodder beet. Half of all home-grown cereals are used as animal feed, while the remainder is sold off the farm.

Cattle are housed from mid November onwards. Cows are kept in large open-fronted sheds which are straw bedded. They receive a diet of silage, straw and minerals which is fed using a Keenan feeder wagon.

“We like to buy premium quality minerals. We have no doubt that minerals are the answer to improved cow health and fertility within the herd. Minerals are expensive but worth every penny. Last year we scanned the entire herd and 94% were settled in-calf,” added Fergal.

During weaning the bullocks and heifers are separated into batches and fed a diet of silage, fodder beet, straw, minerals and cereals.

Simmental heifers are hand-picked and retained as herd replacements, while the bullocks are finished for beef at between 20 to 24-months of age. “We are very selective when it comes to picking replacements for the suckler herd. Those that don’t make the grade are finished alongside their male counterparts,” added Francis.

Occasionally the Watsons sell bullocks and heifers at Ballymena Mart, but the majority of their beef cattle are slaughtered at ABP in Newry , mostly receiving U and R grades. Heifers weigh between 320kgs and 380kgs deadweight, while the bullocks reach weights of 400kgs and over. “The Simmental ticks all boxes on this farm. The heifer calves make ideal suckler replacements, while the bullocks have the potential to put on weight and are finished on a par with other continental breeds,” concluded Fergal.

The Watson’s farm is fully self-sufficient, and with the help of four full-time employees Francis and Fergal can harvest all of their own silage and cereal crops, as well as carry out routine ploughing, slurry spreading, hedge cutting, fencing, maintenance and building work. They are nearing completion of a three-year land improvement and drainage programme using the farm’s track digger.