Records were broken when Jimmy & Kath McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds, sold the in-calf pedigree Simmental heifer Brandane Lu Lu for 18,000gns to lead the second staging of the Simmental Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart on Friday 2nd December.
Brandane Lu Lu
The 18,000gns was a new Simmental breed record at Carlisle, a new record price for the Next Generation Sale, and a new record price at sale for the eight-cow Brandane herd which was established in 2018. Purchasing Brandane Lu Lu was Reece and Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Keith, Abderdeenshire. Lu Lu is by Sterling Gino and out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK, an outstanding cow who has produced five heifer calves who have all gone on to shine in the show and sale rings, including Lu Lu’s full sister Sterling FCUK Impuls, who previously sold to the Backmuir herd for 13,000gns at Stirling in February 2019.
The long trip from Bury St Edmunds was made even more worthwhile for the McMillans when Brandane Mint sold for 4,500gns to Norfolk breeders RE & SHW Steggles, Honingham. Mint is a half-sister to Brandane Laura, who was tapped out as Female Champion at Stirling in February and sold for 6,000gns to the East Anglian base Cade Simmental herd of PA & SM Cade, Buckden.
Brandane Millie
Preceding these terrific 2022 sales, Jimmy McMillan also met with considerable success in this year’s ‘major’ show rings. Along with a plethora of red rosettes for Brandane Lu Lu and Brandane Mint, the summer has seen Jimmy win the Royal Highland show Junior Female Championship and Overall Junior Reserve with his heifer Brandane Millie, who was also crowned Reserve Interbreed Champion at Suffolk Show, Reserve Overall Champion at the Hadley Show, and Reserve Breed Champion at the Royal Norfolk. Sired by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, this young February 2021 born heifer is bred is out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale, and whose first calf was Sterling FCUK Impuls, the 2019 RHAS Reserve Supreme Champion. Brandane Mille was recently sold privately to Finlay Soutter, Ashby De La Zouch, a new young breeder in the Simmental breed, and with Jimmy commenting: “I think she’s a tremendous heifer and she’ll give the lad a great start in the breed.”
Jimmy at Stirling in February
A well-known and highly respected figure in Simmental and pedigree show and sale rings around the UK for many years, Jimmy McMillan is no stranger to the winners’ circle, and has been at the halter of a number of Supreme Champions at national and local events. A born and bred cattle man, Jimmy was born in the Isle of Bute. The family moved to Damside of Dun, Brechin, Angus, when Jimmy was three where he was raised on the family farm and won his first prize in the show ring at the tender age of eight. Proud of his roots, he later chose Brandane as his prefix as this is what you were known as if you were born on Bute. When Jimmy was 22 his father and auntie sold the family farm and his dad moved down to Towcester, Northamptonshire, to work for the now renowned Seawell Charolais herd of Peter Donger.
Jimmy has now been a resident of Suffolk for some 30 years and moved to the area by chance. Whilst on a busman’s holiday at the East of England Show, Peterborough, he was approached by AR Clements of the Darsham Simmental and Charolais herds to see if he would like to come and progress the herds, and from there the rest is history! Jimmy looks back fondly at his time with the Clements; “I had great success with the herd and the best animal we bred was probably the famous Darsham Kit Kat. Selling to a record price for a Simmental female at the time of 18,000gns when the herd dispersed in 2006, she was by that time a winner of five ‘Royal’ championships and including the clean sweep of the Royal, Highland, Great Yorks, and Royal Welsh in 2005”.
Jimmy then moved on to work for the acclaimed Boddington Estates, Sterling herd and again his wealth of experience bought the herd great success in the show and sale rings until it’s dispersal in 2018. Roll on to today and the Sterling genetics have played a big part in the development of the Brandane herd: “All my foundation cows came from the Sterling herd and cattle that I bred and raised during my time there”.
Enjoying his sales this year Jimmy’s feet remain typically very firmly on the ground and with the simple forward ambition of continuing to breed quality Simmentals. “I love breeding Simmental females”, Jimmy says, “they have got to have length, be feminine and breedy, have style in the head, good plates, good locomotion and just carry that little bit of jazz! I breed Simmentals as they are so easy to work with. Their temperament and milking ability is second to none. Adding to that, their weight for age is better than any other breed up to 14 months of age, and they really have a lot to offer the forward beef industry”.
His passion for the Simmental breed also sees Jimmy being an active member of the growing East Anglia Simmental Breeders Club. Commenting on his recent successes, Zara Curson the Secretary of the East Anglia Simmental Club said: “Jimmy has so much experience in the Simmental breed and he is always ready to help and encourage young and establishing breeders with tips and advice on cattle breeding, feeding, and preparation for shows and sales. He’s a great character and asset to the Club, and we’re really delighted for Jimmy and Kath that they’ve had such tremendous success this year.”
The Inaugural Welsh Multibreed Pedigree Beef Calf show was held at Carmarthen Livestock Market on Saturday 10th of December 2022. A great success, the show had 90 entries forward with 14 breeds represented and the Simmental classes saw 12 top notch entries.
The days Simmental Supreme Champion, Male Champion and winner of the Wynnstay Group Plc Perpetual Shield was an entry from the Pistyll herd of GA & HM Francis, Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire. Pistyll Nitro 22, is a May born bull by the popular AI bull Ballinalare Farm Galaxy and bred out of Pistyll Heledd, a daughter of the Irish bred herd’s Stock bull Carbery Fintona. From one of the herds best Dam lines, his Granddam Celtic Glamour is a full sister to the 8,000gns Pistyll Sam.
Speaking to Mr Francis after the sale he said “We were delighted and taken aback to be tapped out as Champions, as there was such a good quality offering of calves forward. We have been breeding Simmentals for 30 years now and our 15 breeding females are doing well for us. We run them alongside our 45 strong sucklers herd on which we use our Simmental bulls, selling the resulting calves at Ludlow, bulls for beef at 10 months and heifers at 14 months. We also have a pedigree flock of 12 breeding ewes consisting Blue Texels, Dutch Spotted and Bletex sheep.
We will show Nitro through the summer next and bring him along to the Royal Welsh show, then he will be going to Stirling next October. His half brother Pistyll Major 21 is entered into the sale at Stirling in February”.
The days judge was Anthony Eynon, Cwm Miles, Carmarthenshire, of the Barlo pedigree Simmental herd. A Simmental breeder for over 30 years, he runs his operation on a strictly commercial basis. Commenting on his pick for Champion he said “When choosing a bull, I’m looking for a bull which will leave good a commercial carcase. The champion stood out to me, he was the youngest and smallest calf there and I stuck my neck out a bit but I felt he was the calf with the most all round potential especially with the commercial conformation qualities”.
Reserve Champion Hirwaun Nos Da 22
Standing Reserve Supreme Champion, was the April-born Hirwaun Nos Da 22 who had been tapped out as the Reserve Reserve Male Champion just moments before. A heifer’s calf bred out of the Salisbury Challenger daughter Hirwaun Kitty VG86, he is sired by the popular AI bull Curaheen Bandit. Nos Da was bred and exhibited by the Davies family, Ponthirwaun, Ceredigion; Aled and Rachel, their two girls Catherine and Lilly and Aled’s father Huw, of the five cow strong Hirwaun herd, which was established in 1996, and is run alongside their pedigree sheep enterprise of 50 breeding ewes consisting Blue and Badger Face Texels. Nos Da will be shown again in the summer and the family are planning to take him to Stirling next October.
Female Champion Fole Vivian 93
The Simmental Female Champion was Fole Vivian 93, an October 2021 born heifer who is sired by the 16,000gns Blackford Falcon. Vivian was purchased as a calf at foot at Worcester in May at the Fole Herd dispersal sale of Joe & Rachel Ede, Checkley, Stoke on Trent, and her Dam is the Dellfield Wyvis daughter Fole Vivian 69, who since her purchase has produced a second calf also by Blackford Falcon.
Vivian was exhibited by her new owners the Jones family’s Willowgreen Simmental herd from Peniel Carmarthenshire. The family’s – Richard and Jennifer and their sons Gareth and Robert – main business is their dairy, where they run 150 cows to produce milk for their first milk contact for Tesco, which is used to produce Pembrokeshire cheese. They purchased their first Simmental bull 10 years ago and are now producing cracking Simmental sired calves which they sell at 3 – 4 weeks old at Carmarthen & Whitland, and they hold the centre record of £460.00 for the top priced 3 week old calf at Carmarthen.
Showing the calf on the family’s behalf were Richard and Jennifer’s daughter and son in law Elin and Steven John, and commenting after the show Richard said “we are delighted that this calf has done so well on her first show outing. We intend to show her again in the Summer and time willing we are hoping to bring her to the Royal Welsh show in July”.
The Reserve Female Champion was an entry from Merion Jones, Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire. Mr Jones, whose Dyfed Simmental herd consists 20 cow and followers, has been a member of the Society for 40 years, a former Society Council member of 14 years and founder member of the Welsh regional club. Alongside his Simmental cattle, Merion also keeps a small herd of Welsh Black cattle and over 60 breeding ewes, consisting of Jacobs, Herdwicks and Dutch Spotted. His Reserve Champion was the 11 month old Dyfed Angharad 8, a polled heifer sired by the Irish bred Coose Jericho and out of Dyfed Angharad 6th who goes back to Losning Iver.
Show Results Judge: Mr Anthony Eynon
Heifer Calf born in October to December 2021 1st: R Jones – Fole Vivian 93 – s. Blackford Falcon
Bull Calf born in January or February 2022 1st: M Jones – Dyfed Noblett 22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Heifer Calf born in January or February 2022 1st: M Jones – Dyfed Angharad 8 – s. Coose Jericho 2nd: D Cumming – Cwarre Naughty’s Nettle – s. Clonagh Frosty King
Bull Calf born in March or April 2022 1st: A & R Davies – Hirwaun Nos Da 22 – s. Curaheen Bandit 2nd: R Jones – Fole Nordic 22 – s. Blackford Falcon 3rd: M Jones – Dyfed Nostalgia 22 – s. Ardo Figaro
Bull Calf born on or after 1st May 2022 1st: GA & HM Francis – Pistyll Nitro 22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 2nd: A & R Davies – Hirwaun Neville – s. Hirwaun Rooney 3rd: GA & HM Francis – Pistyll Nightrider – s. Team Celtic 11
Heifer Calf born on or after 1st May 2022 1st: M Jones – Dyfed Fantasie – s. Sacombe Jack Daniels
Pairs 1st: A & R Davies 2nd: GA & HM Francis 3rd: M Jones
Supreme Champion & Male Champion GA & HM Francis – Pistyll Nitro 22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy Reserve Supreme Champion & Reserve Male Champion A & R Davies – Hirwaun Nos Da 22 – s. Curaheen Bandit Female Champion R Jones – Fole Vivian 93 – s. Blackford Falcon Reserve Female Champion M Jones – Dyfed Angharad 8 – s. Coose Jericho
Northern Irish Simmental breeder Norman Robson of Doagh, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, has been announced as the new President of the British Simmental Cattle Society. Mr Robson who was elected following the Society’s recent AGM held in Stirling, takes over the reins from Stewart Stronach, Maisley, Keith, following the completion of Mr. Stronach’s two-year term of office.
Steeped in Simmental history, Norman Robson becomes the third member of the Robson family to serve as BSCS President with his father Billy being President in 1985-1986, and 1999-2000; and his brother Michael holding the office between 2011-2012. Norman and his wife Jill, a native of Scotland, have two children. Charlotte 21 is a fourth-year medical student in Edinburgh, whilst son Angus 19, is in his second year of an agricultural degree at Queens University, Belfast.
Operating as a family partnership, Kilbride Farm is a traditional mixed farm and with a 300-sow birth to bacon single site pig unit being a backbone, and alongside the pedigree Simmentals.
The Kilbride Farm Simmental herd, now consisting of 90-100 Simmental cows, is one of the most recognisable names in the pedigree beef sector, with a highlight reel track record of selling bulls and Simmental genetics through home and Society Sales to pedigree breeders and commercial producers in the UK and to international markets. The herd was established in 1971 with four heifers from the first importation into Northern Ireland. From the farm growing cereals, carrying a suckler herd and a sheep enterprise, the land-based operations consolidated into a pedigree Simmental herd only as the Robsons recognised the performance, fertility, docility and profitability that the breed was giving them.
Over the years the Kilbride Farm herd has attained a mighty seven Supreme Championships at the Perth and Stirling Sales and whilst regularly attaining five figure prices. The majority of bulls in a typical year are sold privately off farm to buyers in the UK and Ireland. Kilbride Farm genetics have been exported in the early years to North America, Australia and New Zealand whilst more recently it has been ‘coals to Newcastle’, with the herd exporting semen and stock back to the breed’s homeland countries of Austria and Switzerland. The Kilbride Farm has always aimed to grow fleshy cattle with a moderate mature weight, and with stock bulls used to add uniformity. Over recent years the herd has introduced the polled gene with 70-80% of the cows now carrying polled genetics whilst retaining Kilbride Farm’s traditional qualities.
Commenting, Norman Robson said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be elected as the 27th President of the British Simmental Cattle Society, and to be the sixth breeder from Northern Ireland to hold this office. With a motivated membership and Council, I hope to lead a Society that offers value and assistance through practical breeding tools to all breeders, and positively promotes British Simmental to every industry level. Over the last two years we have seen some record sale averages for the Simmental breed, some successful new fixtures, and an increase in pedigree registrations. It is very much a further aim that we can continue to build on this base and to grow the reach of the breed into all areas of the UK.”
Continuing, Mr Robson went on to say: “The Society will look to build on the performance benefits the Simmental breed offers all types of farming systems. No other breed has the flexibility of the Simmental, from crossing on a Luing type cow on the hill, to high output lowland suckler herds, and as a crossing sire onto the dairy herd. As breeders if we can collectively continue to provide the genetics for a profitable, sustainable forward beef industry, I feel there is a bright future for British Simmental.”
Following his election, one of Norman Robson’s first Simmental fixtures as Society President will be the second staging of the Next Generation Sale of Simmental Females and Weaned Calves at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday December 2nd where there are three Kilbride Farm entries amongst the 66 head entered.
The British Simmental Cattle Society and North West Simmental Club annual calf show took place within Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle on Friday 28 October. Featuring 14 classes including a young handlers section, Simmental breeders travelled from throughout Scotland and the North of England to show off their Simmental young stock.
The judge for the day was Varrie Loggie, who had travelled from Strathaven, Lanarkshire for the event. Having grown up with Simmental cattle, Varrie now spends her evenings and weekends helping her mum and dad Jim and Elizabeth Dyet, whilst working in graphic design during the week. The family have 90 head of cattle, including 60 pedigree Simmentals in the noted Merkland herd, as well as 700 sheep on their 600 acre holding.
Supreme & Junior Champion Newbiemains Noble Wynn
After working through the classes and section winners, Varrie’s pick for the Supreme Champion was the young bull Newbiemains Noble Wynn, bred and exhibited by Jim and Patricia Goldie, Annan, Dumfrieshire, and who had been tapped out as the Junior Champion just moments before. “This is a young bull with lots of breed character, full of length and with plenty of shape. He’s got tremendous potential and I look forward to seeing how he gets on in the future” Varrie said. At only eight months old, Newbiemains Noble Wynn is the first son to be shown by the 9,000gns Auchorachan Kennedy, who was purchased by the Goldie’s at Stirling in February last year. His Dam is the homebred Newbiemains Kannwynn, bred from one of the herds top female lines. Her grandmother Newbiemains Eclypse was a Royal Highland Show and Great Yorkshire Show champion. The next stop for the Champion will be back at Carlisle in December to feature in the high-profile Simmental NxtGen II sale which will be held at Borderway Mart on Friday 2 December.
Senior Champion Newbiemains Moosala
The Goldies had a very successful day, winning three classes and also securing the Senior Championship with their August 2021 born bull Newbiemains Moosala. From the first crop of calves by the homebred Newbiemans Jericho, who has now been sold for commercial breeding, he is the second calf bred out of Newbiemains Icandy. Icandy’s sire Woodhall Fantastic has bred very successfully for the herd with four of his sons being sold to an Italian AI stud who the Goldies have been dealing with for the past three years and have now sent a total of seven bulls to. Jim and Patricia established their pedigree Simmental their herd back in 2004, after using Simmental bulls over their dairy herd. Building their herd from the best stock available, they have pioneers of type classification within the breed, a process which has helped them to establish high quality female lines and in turn has created a demand for their bulls.
The Reserve Supreme and Junior Champion was bred and exhibited by Gavin Brown, of the Springfield Simmental herd. This was his second visit to the show having secured the Supreme Championship last year and with Springfield Major. Gavin who topped the female section at 6000gns at the recent Stirling Sale, is based in Penicuik, Midlothian. In the eight years since he has joined the Simmental Society has grown his herd from his two foundation cows to its present 30 head. Exporting Simmental bulls and semen to Turkey and China, his Facebook sales have now grossed over £68,000 alone.
Reserve Supreme & Reserve Junior Champion Springfield Niagara
Gavin’s Reserve Champion was the April born bull Springfield Niagara. From the second crop of calves sired by Islavale Jabba, who has bred daughters to 6,000gns and averaged £4,700 for his eight progeny sold to date, Niagara is out of Springfield Italia, who goes back to the Irish-bred Shiloh Freedom, the first stock bull purchased to work at Springfield.
Reserve Senior Champion Chestermann Gibble Lulu 3
The Reserve Senior Champion, Chestermann Gibble Lulu 3, was bred and exhibited by N and N Gwynne, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. Out of the homebred Chestermann Wick Lulu, a Kilbride Farm Wick daughter, this November 2021 born heifer is sired by the homebred Chestermann Gibble, classified as EX93, and who has bred bulls to 7,000gns. Mr Gwynne is a long-time supporter of the Borderway Simmental Calf Show, with him showing for the ninth consecutive year.
Judge Varrie Loggie with Junior Young Handler winner Callum Leedham
The young handlers section was split into two age groups this year for the first time and the junior class of 10 to 15 year olds was won by Callum Leedham, who travelled across from Rowan Farm, Lockton, Pickering, North Yorkshire, with his mum and dad Andrew and Yvonne, who had themselves earlier topped class five with their January 2022 born heifer Grangwood Wanda’s Myrtle. This is the second time that the 15-year-old Callum has won the young handlers at the Calf Show. A keen Simmental enthusiast, he has shown an animal at this years English National show, where he also took part with great success in the young persons stock judging. William Loftus of the Clearwater herd, Preston Lancashire placed second and with Cloe Fitton, Bolton, Lancashire, placing third.
Judge Varrie Loggie with Senior Young Handler winner Abby Forsythe
The senior section of 16- to 28-year-old was headed up by Abby Forsythe in her second consecutive win. At 24, Abby is an Agricultural Officer for the Scottish Government and has been involved with cattle showing all of her life. Taking an interest in Simmental over the past eight years, she can regularly be found helping the Newbiemains herds at Society sales and shows. Placing second in the class was Frank Gwynne of the Castlewigg Simmental herd, Newtown Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway.
Full Show Results Class 1 – Bull born on between 01.08.2021 & 31.08.2021 1 – Lot 815: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MOOSALA – s. Newbiemains Jericho
Class 2 – Bull born on between 01 09.2021& 31.12.2021 1 – Lot 816: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MCGREGOR – s. Newbiemains Jericho
Class 3 – Bull born on between 01 01.2022 & 15.03.2022 1 – Lot 821: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NOBLE WYNN – s. Auchorachan Kennedy 2 – Lot 822: RCS & CFE Addison LYVENNET NOAH – s. Greencap Klassik 3 – Lot 820: Ron Loftus CLEARWATER NITROUS – s. Booroola
Class 4 – Bull born on or after 16/03/2022 1 – Lot 825: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA – s. Islavale Jabba 2 – Lot 824: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEMO – s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 827: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY NESTLE – s. Auchorachan Hercules 4 – Lot 823: Ron Loftus CLEARWATER NO SMOKE WI’OUT FIRE – s. Double Bar D Rolex
Class 5 – Heifer born on between 01.08.2021 & 15.09.2021 1 – Lot 839: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD WANDA’S MYRTLE – s. Ranfurly Impeccable 2 – Lot 829: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD TOLLIE’S MILLIE – s. Ranfurly Impeccable 3 – Lot 828: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MAG WAG – s. Newbiemains Jericho 4 – Lot 831: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD MAGGIE MAY – s. Ranfurly Impeccable
Class 6 – Heifer born on between 16 09.2021 & 31.12.2021 1 – Lot 836: N & N Gwynne CHESTERMANN GIBBLE LULU 3 – s. Chestermann Gibble 2 – Lot 832: Mr J David Loftus BLACKPOOL MARY – s. Woodhall Ferrari 3 – Lot 838: Frank Gwynne CASTLEWIGG RINGLEADER J-LO – s. Blackford Ringleader 4 – Lot 835: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY KLASSIC MINI ROLL – s. Auchorachan Hercules
Class 7 – Heifer born on between 01 01.2022 & 15.03.2022 1 – Lot 841: RCS & CFE Addison LYVENNET BRIONY 5TH – s. Greencap Klassick 2 – Lot 839: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY KLASSIC NORA – s. Auchorachan Hercules
Class 8 – Heifer born on or after 16/03/2022 1 – Lot 843: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NITA – s. Islavala Jabba 2 – Lot 845: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NALA – s. Islavala Jabba
Senior Champion Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MOOSALA Reserve Senior Champion N & N Gwynne CHESTERMANN GIBBLE LULU 3
Supreme & Junior Champion Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NOBLE WYNN Reserve Supreme & Junior Champion Lot 825: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA
Pairs 1 – Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham 2 – Gavin Brown
Young Handlers Aged Between 10 – 15 years old 1 – Callum Leedham 2 – William Loftus 3 – Cloe Fitton
Young Handlers Aged Between 10 – 15 years old 1 – Abby Forsyth 2 – Frank Gwynne
The Autumn Northern Ireland Simmental Club sale took place on Friday 21 October at Dungannon Mart, where five bulls sold, all going to commercial homes, to a top price of 4,800gns and an average of £3,003.
Corrick Major – 4,800gns Top Price & Reserve Male Champion
Top of the lots at 4,800gns was the Reserve Male Champion Corrick Major from Cecil and Scott Mcilwaine, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone, whose 20-cow pedigree herd was established in 1979. Corrick Major, is a June 2021 born lad sired by Seafort Gill, who also sired the herds March Dungannon Male Champion Corrick Laird, and the 8,000gns Corrick Logic, sold at Stirling in February this year. In total, Seafort Gill’s five Corrick sons sold to date have averaged £4851.20 apiece. Bred out of Corrick Heidi, who goes back to the 12,000gns Kilbride Farm Bantry, Major was purchased by F Watson, who runs a 150 strong suckler operation in Kircubbin, Co Down. Commenting on his purchase Mr Watson said “I was delighted to secure Major, for me he ticked all of the boxes. A good balanced bull from front to back, he carried himself very well. We breed all our own replacements and finish all our other calves for beef and the Simmental is the perfect breed to produce good mothers and as a terminal sire”.
Dressogue Mario – 2,500gns Supreme & Male Champion
The pre-sale show judge Paul McArdle travelled from Co Monaghan, Eire, where his Broomfield Simmental herd is based. His pick for the Supreme and Male Champion, Dressogue Mario, was next in the trade stakes, and the first of a trio of bulls to be knocked down for 2,500gns. The May 2021 born Mario, is out of the 8,000gns Delfur Decider-sired Dressogue Gloria and by the herd sire Clonagh Fifty Shades who has bred over 70 sons and daughters into the Dressogue herd since his purchase in 2015. Bred and exhibited by Seamus O’Kane, Mario is the first Dungannon champion for the 35 cow Dressogue herd based in Omagh, Co Tyrone, and on only his third visit to the sale. Most of the family’s sales from their closed herd are made from the farm gate to repeat customers. E McMenamin, Kesh, Co Fermanagh, was the man with his hand in the air as the hammer went down.
Judge Paul McArdle, Co Monaghan, Eire
Matching the 2,500gns price tag was Phillip Robb’s 19-month-old bull Slieve Croob Magnificent, from Ballynahinch, Co Down. Sired by the homebred Slieve Croob Juggernaut, his dam is Kilbride Farm Fanni 54h, a third time calving daughter of the 7,000gns Stirling Reserve Senior Champion Corskie Damario. Mark Fawcett, of the Rushlin Simmental herd, Gortadrehid, Co Fermanagh was the lucky purchaser and commenting on his purchase Mr Fawcett said, “I was really pleased to secure Magnificent, as I need a durable bull to work on my hill farm. We have a 20 head Simmental cross suckler herd which we run alongside our Marina and Caravan park and I was looking for a bull which is going to get the job done without me having to watch over him”.
Cladymore Mr Muscle – 2,500gs Junior Champion
The other bull to secure 2,500gns, was Cladymore Mr Muscle, who had been tapped out as the Junior Champion and first in his class in the presale show. Offered for sale by AW Reaney and Sons, Mowhan, Co Armagh, and purchased by Thomas Hall, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, he is the eighth calf to be bred out of the Ashland Brandy daughter Cladymore Edel, and with the popular AI bull Auchorachan Hercules being the sire of this August 2021 born bull.
The final bull sold was the blue ticket winner Camus Macduff, who was purchased by Edgar Cumins, Lisburn, Co Antrim, for 2,000gns. A 17-month-old, who was offered for sale by Mr J Campbell, Strabane, Co Tyrone, Macduff is by the 8,500gns Islavale Cracker, and is out of Camus Imprint, who goes back to the Eire bred Ex92-rated Dermotstown Delboy, the Balmoral Champion in 2014 and 2015.
Corrick Luma – 3,700gns Reserve Female Champion
There were seven quality Simmental females on offer and with five sold to average £2,772. The top priced at 3,700gns was Corrick Luma, the Reserve Female Champion from Cecil and Scott Mcilwaine, who had also secured the top price in the bull section. Luma is a September 2020 born daughter of the 2013 Ploughing bull champion Curaheen Dickens and Corrick Francis 14, who goes back to the Roscommon Premier Show junior bull champion Carbery Carribbean. She was purchased by Ian MaGill, who takes her back to join his Ballyrolly Simmental herd in Newtownards, Co Down.
Just behind at 3,600gns was D McElmurry’s 23-month-old heifer Wellbray Diana Kim, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who caught the eye of Chris Traynor of the Kilmore Simmental herd, Armagh, Co Armagh, when she placed second in her class earlier in the day. The popular AI bull Samark Superman is the sire here, and Kim is bred out of the first calving Raceview K Diana Kim, who is a daughter of the prolific AI bull Kilbride Farm Newry, who has bred over 1200 progeny into the national herd.
Two lots then went on to sell for 2,000gns a piece. The first being the Dressogue Maisie, a blue ticket winner bought forward for sale by Seamus O’Kane, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Sired by the 11,000gns Islavale Invincible, her Dam is Dressogue Irish Lady, who goes back to the Eire bred Clonagh Fifty Shades. Edward Henry, Newtownards, Co Down, was the purchaser of this March 2021 born heifer.
The Reserve Supreme and Female champion and 19-month-old Breaghey Vida-M420, was the other heifer to be knocked down at 2,000gns. Bred and exhibited by Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh, she was snapped up by Connor Wilkinson, Lisburn, Co Antrim, to join his Killultagh Simmental herd. She is out of the Breaghey Vida 1, who goes back to the aforementioned Dermotstown Delboy, and sired by Omorga Regan.
Selling for 1,900gns and completing the Simmental lots was Rehall Majesty, a heifers calf bred out of the 8,000gns Delfur Decider-sired Rehall Kerry. Sired by Rehall Karl, the July 2021 born Majesty, who stood third in her class, was presented by W and K Stubbs, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh and purchased by P Woods, Collone, Co Armagh.
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The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
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