2023 Competition to be held from July – mid August
Back with a summer bang, the fourth staging of the British Simmental ‘Virtual’ Show has been announced and will take place over a six-week period through July to mid-August.
Initiated in 2020 when there were no summer shows, this picture-based competition has caught the imagination and proved to be hugely popular with participating breeders having a go, and through the power of social media, an audience stretching across the UK and around the globe.
To date the competition has attracted some spectacular entries and with the 2021 edition seeing a remarkable 754 animals entered from breeders across the four home nations. Class and Championship winners have reflected the strength in depth of British Simmental cattle across the country and with he first three overall winners being from Cheshire, Moray, and Cornwall!
First and foremost it’s a fun competition and an opportunity for Simmental herds, large and small, to participate. We again hope that the ‘Virtual’ Show provides a very visible window through which to promote British Simmental genetics to fellow breeders, potential buyers, commercial producers, the UK industry in all its parts, and to a global online audience interested in good cattle. Previous editions of the event, and now in harness with the summer shows, have also highlighted animals with forward Simmental sales potential.
Last year, and in recognition of the live summer show season being back, the classes were tightened to six in all, and followed by the Overall Championships. We’ve stuck with that again this year and with the schedule as follows:
2023 BRITISH SIMMENTAL ‘VIRTUAL’ SHOW
Class 1: Bull Calf born on or after 1st August 2022. Calf name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 30th June Entries Close: 7th July
Class 2: Heifer Calf born on or after 1st August 2022. Calf name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 8th July Entries Close: 14th July
Class 3: Bull born between 1st January 2021 to 31st July 2022. Bull name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 15th July Entries Close: 21st July
Class 4: Heifer born between 1st January 2021 – 31st July 2022. Calf name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 22nd July Entries Close: 28th July
Class 5: Bull born before 1st January 2021. Bull name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 29th July Entries Close: 4th August
Class 6: Cow any age, In milk. Udder must be seen in picture, no calf to be seen in picture. Cow name and date of birth to be stated.
Entries Open: 5th August Entries Close: 11th August
Special 1: Male Champion Announced w/c 15th August.
Special 2: Female Champion Announced w/c 15th August.
Special 3: Overall Champion Announced w/c 15th August.
So, the sun is presently shining, the die is cast, and it’s now over to you! We very much hope you’ll take full aim at the 2023 British Simmental ‘Virtual’ Show and once again, let’s see if we can ‘wow the online crowds’ with another showcase of quality British Simmental genetics.
Keep an eye on Facebook for updates and reminders of the respective classes.
Quality and breeding was to the fore when the maiden heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Mr J & Mr A Wilson, Newry, Co Down lifted the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship at the 2023 RUAS Balmoral Show, Balmoral Park, on Wednesday 10th May.
A small but strong Simmental section was presented before the judge on the day, Stewart Stronach of the prolific Islavale herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith on the opening afternoon of what was the 154th staging of Northern Ireland’s blue riband agricultural show.
The fifteen-month-old Ballinalare Farm Nikita took first prize in the second class of the day before moving on to win the Heifer Championship, the Overall Female Championship, and getting the judge’s final tap out as the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. February 2022 born, Ballinalare Farm Nikita is sired by the 14,000gns Saltire Impressive who was also the sire of last year’s RUAS Balmoral Show Champion. She is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa whose Granddam is a full sister of the noted Ballinalare Farm Nightrider who was bought by Iain Green, Fochabers and went on to breed well in the noted Corskie herd.
Female & Overall Champion Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Commenting on his Champion, the judge Stewart Stronach said: “Ballinalare Farm Nikita was an outstanding animal. Long and clean, she just oozed breed and show character. A really modern Simmental heifer and a very worthy Champion.”
Long term exhibitors, the Wilsons have been showing at the RUAS Balmoral Show for over 30 years and with many Championship wins in that time. Perhaps most notably is Ballinalare Farm Money Penny who won in 2004 as a heifer, before repeating the win in 2005 with her first calf, and completing the hat-trick in 2006 with her second calf! This is a feat never completed previously with a homebred animal.
From here the aim of the Wilsons is to continue to show Ballinalare Farm Nikita throughout this summer and to help with the promotion of the fourth Production Sale from the Ballinalare herd, and along with the Ranfurly herd, planned to be held in September 2024.
The Championship win continued what has been a terrific 2023 year to date for the Ballinalare Farm father and son team Joe and Alan Wilson. In February, Alan Wilson’s Bannhill Farm Masterpiece lifted the Supreme Championship at the Stirling Simmental Bull Sale before going on to sell for 28,000gns, and set a new record top price for a Simmental bull from Northern Ireland.
Following the Champion through the female section, and lifting the Reserve Overall Supreme title, and Reserve Overall female was the winner of the first class of the day, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 from David and Jonny Hazelton’s Dungannon based 20-cow herd. October 2021 born, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st is out of Ranfurly Lady Diana 33rd J5 18 VG88, a Raceview King daughter, and whose pedigree goes back to the renowned Salisbury Guinevere, the foundation female of that line. Lady Diana 41st is by the prolific Auchorachan Hercules who himself was bred from a Ranfurly embryo and which in itself is a great source of pride for the Hazeltons. Again, regular exhibitors at Balmoral over a number of years the Ranfurly herd won back to back Championships in 2018, and 2019, and lifted the Reserve Overall title last year.
Reserve Female & Reserve Overall Champion Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
Commenting on Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14, David Hazelton said: “We’re delighted to win both the Reserve Overall and Reserve Female titles at this prestigious show. This heifer has always had that bit of star quality and she was shown successfully as a calf last year at both Armagh and Dungannon. At this point we have plans to take her to one or two further summer shows this year.” Later in the show there was further success for the Ranfurly herd when Ranfurly Weikel 45th M11, who placed second to the Reserve Overall in her class, took Reserve in the Interbreed Continental Heifer – Beef Recorded Championship. In the Interbreed Exhibitor Bred Pairs, judged by George Harvey, Perth, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 teamed up with Ranfurly Notorious 22, the February 2022 born Auchorachan ACDC son, to take a very creditable third in the Interbreed Exhibitor Bred Pairs.
Michael Durno’s Auchorachan breeding was again evident in the bulls with the Male Championship being awarded to Auchorachan Majestic 21 entered and shown by William & Jane Dodd who run the Craigy pedigree herd at Saintfield, Co Down. This September 2021 born bull was purchased at Stirling in February this year with William Dodd saying; “We just thought this bull had something special when we saw him as he was just full of style and not too extreme. We were delighted to get him and now to win the Male Championship at Balmoral with him is just a fantastic bonus. However his showing days are now over as he is the herd’s new stock bull and will soon be going out with the cows!”
Male Champion Auchorachan Majestic
In what is only the Craigy herds second year showing at Balmoral this is their second Male Championship in a row and following on from the homebred Craigy Max’s win last year. Rounding off a cracking show day for the Dodds, the February 2022 born Craigy Notorious also won his class before placing Reserve Junior Champion to the Overall Supreme. Craigy Notorious is by Keeldrum Fabregas 14, and is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Craigy Violet G6. Very much a family affair, Notorious was ‘picked from the pens’ by Jamie and Lewis, William and Jane’s sons who spotted his potential from being a young calf. Both keen cattle men in their own right, Jamie and Lewis took turns to show the bulls on the day.
Reserve Male Champion Craigy Notorious
Come the Interbreeds the Simmental entries more than held their own and with the Simmentals taking the Reserve Overall in the Interbreed Group of Three in front of the judge Andrew Hughes, Halifax. The Simmental team comprised of Ballinalare Farm Nikita; Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st; and Auchorachan Majestic.
Congratulations are extended to all exhibitors at the 2023 RUAS Balmoral Show who represented the Simmental breed so well.
The Bobbie Dickson Perpetual Championship Trophy for the Champion: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve: WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14.
British Simmental Cattle Society Engraved Crystal Glasses for the Champion: Alan Wilson
Imex Perpetual Cow Bell for the Female Champion: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve: WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14
Bangor and Six Road Ends Farmers’ Union Perpetual Trophy for the Female Champion: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve: WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14
Bobbie Gamble Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Heifer: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve: WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14
NI Simmental Club Trophy for the Exhibitor-bred Male Champion: William and Jane Dodd, Auchorachan Majestic 21. Reserve: William & Jane Dodd, Craigy Notorious 22.
William Black Memorial Perpetual Cup for the Male Champion: William and Jane Dodd, Auchorachan Majestic 21. Reserve: William & Jane Dodd, Craigy Notorious 22.
News Letter Shield for Junior champion: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita . Reserve: William & Jane Dodd, Craigy Notorious 22.
Silver Award for the best exhibit bred in Northern Ireland: Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita.
Classes
Cow or heifer, born between 1 July 21 & 31 December 21 – 1, WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14. 2 WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 45th M11. 3, Connor Wilkinson, Mount Natalia.
Heifer, born on or after 01/01/22 – 1, Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Nikita; 2, Andrew Clarke, Breaghey Vida N435; 3, Andrew Clarke, Breaghey Nadine. 4 Molly Bradley, Clonagh Posh Pixie.
Bull, born on or before 31/12/21 – 1, William and Jane Dodd, Auchorachan Majestic 21.
Bull born on or after 1st January 2022 – 1 William & Jane Dodd, Craigy Notorious 22. 2 WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Notorious N2. 3 Mrs Julie Wallace, Ashfurly Notorious
Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, WD and JD Hazelton; 2, William & Jane Dodd; 3, Andrew Clarke.
The carbon footprint of agriculture in Ireland is under the microscope and whether you agree with it or not, we have fixed targets to achieve in the next seven years.
From a beef production point of view, age of slaughter is the area that is expected to lead to the greatest reduction in emissions. The logic is simple; the longer an animal is alive, the more it eats.
Producing beef at a younger age, significantly reduces not only the carbon footprint of the beef produced, but also the input costs.
The importance of age of slaughter is further highlighted in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) recent announcement that it will soon have its own sub-index, which will feed directly into the existing terminal and replacement indexes.
This represents the first major change in the index calculations in seven years and there is an expected terminal breeding value increase of approximately €1/day lower slaughter age.
SIMMENTAL CATTLE’S RAPID GROWTH RATE
Simmental cattle have always been renowned for their rapid growth rate. This fact is to the fore if you look at recent reports from Tullamore farm.
The 2022-born Simmental heifers on the farm have an average liveweight in February or 435kg – 50kg higher than any other breed. The top was a February-born Simmental heifer which weighed 485kg at just a year old.
The top weight of last year’s bulls was a February-born Simmental weighing 580kg at a year old, which translates to an average daily gain of 1.52kg/day since birth. All this growth rate was achieved before the bulls even started their intensive finishing stage.
The kill data for the 2021 bulls was presented at the Tullamore Farm open day earlier this year, where the Simmental bulls produced the same carcass weight as the other main continental breeds 10 days earlier and with a higher fat score.
This level of performance is in line with previous results from ICBF’s Tully test centre. In one trial, eight Simmental bulls were slaughtered at 13 months with an average carcass weight of 374kg and a feed efficiency 6.2kg.
The top performer had a carcass weight of 404kg at 13 months with a feed efficiency of 5.98kg.
One of the biggest challenges of slaughtering bulls this young, is to achieve an adequate fat score, however the Simmental bulls averaged 3- for fat.
Another example is that in seven year of Tully trials, the average age of slaughter for Simmental steers was between 50 and 80 days younger that the other main continental breeds.
Weight for age has always been the motto of the Simmental breed. Our years of dedication to maximising growth potential, particularly pre-weaning has given the breed a head-start in what is probably the single biggest challenge facing the future of our sector.
AGE OF SLAUGHTER AND CARBON RELATIONSHIP
As a sector we have been set a target of reducing the age of slaughter to under 24 months, and top-performing Simmental bulls are taking a further 10 months off that.
It’s not just 10 months less emissions, it’s 10 months less feeding too.
In summary, the key message is having a breed type that can be slaughtered at a young age with the necessary fat cover, will result in much less input costs, deliver greater returns and help in the carbon challenge.
NOTE: Thank you to the AgriIand Team, and also the Irish Simmental Cattle Society for the use of this article
Drumlone Malcom Supreme Champion Simmental & Top Price – 4,000gns
Seven bulls sold average £3,075.
Averages up by £30 on the year for one more bull sold
The November 2021 born Drumlone Malcom from Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw, sold for 4,000gns to top the sale of Simmental bulls held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 24th March 2023.
A heifer’s calf got by AI, Drumlone Malcom is by Curaheen Wakeman, a Carnkern Titan son, and is out of the Cleenagh Flasher daughter Drumlone Kirsty. Earlier in the day this bull had won his class before lifting the Overall Championship in front of the judge for the day Andrew Patterson of the Wilandale pedigree Simmental herd, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, who said his choice of champion “He was a very good bull which would stand up anywhere, a bull with great shape and a nice size”. Come sale time Drumlone Malcom was bought by the commercial breeder William Hall, Netwonabbey, Co Antrim.
Seven of the eight bulls forward sold to average £3,075, up on the year by £30 and for one more bull sold. All of the bulls were purchased by commercial producers and first time Simmental buyers at sale.
Two bulls made 3,100gns. The first of these was the first lot in the ring Dressogue Maurice from Seamus Okane, Drumquin, Omagh. This July 2021-born bull is by the 11,000gns sire Islavale Invincible and is out of Dressogue Clover, a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter. With good calving and milk figures, Maurice who had stood second in the first class, was bought by Trevor Stockdale, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone.
Knockreagh Magic – 3100gns
Also at the 3,100gns mark was Knockreagh Magic from Val and Conrad Fagan, Rostrevor, Newry. Magic is the maternal brother to the 10,000gns Kilreagh Kilroy. September 2021 born this calf is by the AI sire Mullynock Gallant and is out of Omorga Dorcas, a daughter of Corrick Kentucky Kid. Purchasing this bull, the first prize winner in the first class, was Samuel Moorhead, Rathfriland, Co Down.
Not far behind at 2,800gns was the October 2022-born bull Gortdonaghy Norman. Presented for sale by Mark Cutler, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, he was purchased by Geoffrey Armstrong, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh. Sired by the Irish National Senior Male Champion Anatrim Bodybuilder, he is bred out of Kickhams Ginger.
The demand from commercial producers for quality Simmental bulls continued at Aberdeen & Northern Marts Spring Show & Sale at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Wednesday 1st March with a new Simmental centre record average set at £6638 for the 14 bulls sold. Nine Simmental bulls sold at 6000gns or more with the sale seeing a 93% clearance rate. The Thainstone sale followed hard on the heels of the Stirling Sale in the previous week which also saw a new Simmental breed record average of £7260 set for that fixture.
Leading the way at Thainstone was the 10,000gns Islavale Marshall from the prolific Stronach family at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith, who topped the sale for the second year in a row. This bull is by Corskie Highlander, who has had sons sell up to 18,000gns, and is out of the Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX94 daughter Islavale Hanya EX90. Prior to the sale, this April 2021 born bull had been tapped out as the Overall Simmental Supreme Champion by the pre-sale show judge Gordon Mackay, Upper Ardnagrask, Muir of Ord. With good figures for both calving ease and milk, combined with a depth of breeding, Islavale Marshall was purchased by J&M McConnachie, Midtown of Buchromb, Dufftown.
10,000gns Islavale Marshall
Selling at 9000gns, and getting the Simmental Sale off to a flying start, was the first bull in the ring in the shape of Auchorachan Lethal Weapon from D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. September 2020 born, this calf is by Auchorachan Hercules 16 EX92, the most prolific sire in the Society’s herdbook in 2022, and is out of Auchorachan Gipsy EX92. A bull with width and muscle, and with a +9 figure for Maternal (Milk), Lethal Weapon was bought by J&S Middleton, Cowfords, New Pitsligo. This latest sale top price for the Stronachs carried on from their strong sale at Stirling where ten Islavale averaged £7,245.
At 7200gns was Drumsleed Maverick from regular consignors Gerald & Morag Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk. The April 2021 born Maverick is by the herd’s 11,000gns stock bull Wolfstar Gordy, and is out of Drumsleed Fuji, a Haystar Cracker 11 daughter. Wolfstar Gordy is also the sire of Drumsleed Legacy, the Smiths bull who was crowned the online Simmental Champion of Europe in December last year. When the hammer went down at Thainstone, Drumsleed Maverick was sold to Messrs Stephen Fraser Farms, Glenbernie, Dunphail.
The good trade continued through to the last Simmental in the catalogue, Blackford Marquiss, who made 6800gns for Mr WG MacPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness. This August 2021 born bull is entirely homebred and full of breeding being an ET calf by the noted Blackford Galaxy, a previous Highland Show Champion, and being out of Blackford Wagtail VG86, a Kilbride Farm Strabane daughter, and the dam of the record breaking Bel Dhu Capercaillie. Buying this bull was D&J Smith, Fallow Farm, Inverkeillor.
Two bulls from Messrs C&M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon made 6500gns. The first of these was Tillyeve Marcus Sired by Drumacritten Ian, this March 2021 born bull is out of Tillyeve Freda, a Grangewood Columbus daughter. Semen tested prior to the sale, and sporting balanced performance figures, Tillyeve Marcus was knocked down to IW Hall, Home Farm, Rothienorman. Also at the 6500gns mark was Tillyeve Meldrum. May 2021 born, Tillyeve Meldrum is by the Curaheen Apostle son, Overhill House Gandhi, and is out of Tillyeve Diamond. This bull, who carried a top 10% figure of +4.8 for Calving Ease, was bought by Messrs Stephen Fraser Farms, Glenernie, Dunphail. Again regular consignors to this Spring Sale, the Tillyeve herd topped the Aberdeen fixture in 2019 with their bull Tillyeve Invincible, who was a Curaheen Apostle son.
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