by Nicky Moreton | Aug 1, 2025 | 2025 National Shows, 2025 Northern Ireland News, 2025 News, 2025
- Ballinalare Farm Nikita wins Individual Interbreed Overall Reserve
- Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 takes Overall Reserve, and Junior Champion
The all-conquering first calved heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, with her twin calves at foot, swept to a third consecutive NI Simmental National Show Overall Supreme title today at Clogher Valley Show. Judging the Simmental classes and Championships was John Barlow of the noted Denizes herd, Lancashire.
Overall Supreme & Female Champion Ballinalare Farm Nikita
The win for this February 2022 born Simmental female saw her complete a unique and remarkable double-hat trick having now won the Overall Supreme on three consecutive years at both the RUAS Balmoral Show, and the NI Simmental National Show. On her way through to the Championship at Clogher Valley she firstly also lifted the Female Championship. This first calved heifer is by the prolific Saltire Impressive and is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa, a Denizes Fantastic daughter and herself a twin to a female. Another prolific show summer has seen Nikita win multiple interbreed titles at NI shows and she was again on the rostrum at Clogher when placing Overall Individual Interbreed Reserve in front of the judge Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms, Elgin.
Of his Overall Supreme Champion, the judge John Barlow said: “What a tremendous cow this is and a very worthy winner on the day. She’s just in tremendous condition with a fantastic bag of milk on her for a first calved heifer, doing her twin calves really well, and is back in calf again. With great width and a good top, she’s the perfect size and not too big, is very correct, and very mobile. Very much a super Simmental female.”
Judge John Barlow in action.
Also in attendance at the NI Simmental Natioanl Show was BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr who commented on the Ballinalare herd’s achievement: “On behalf of all at British Simmental, massive congratulations are extended to the Wilson family. To win the Championship award three years in a row at Northern Ireland’s two premier Simmental Shows, as a maiden heifer through to today as a first calved heifer, is a remarkable achievement. Along the way she’s been up against some fantastic cattle in both the Simmental classes and then the Interbreeds. A terrific example of the modern Simmental she has firmly secured her place in the pantheon of Simmental breed history.”
Taking the Overall Reserve, Reserve Female, Performance Recorded Heifer, and Overall Junior Champion was Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon. March 2024 born, this heifer is by the 20,000gns Annick Talisker, and is the second calf out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter Ranfurly Weikel 37th L3 ™ VG 8. The Weikel family, established in 2003, has been one of the most influential dam lines in the 17-cow Ranfurly herd. The day’s Champion, and Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 in Reserve, matched the final results at this years RUAS Balmoral Show held in May. Weikel 56th R5 has been shown four times this year at Balmoral, Omagh, Castlewellan, and now Clogher, and has been unbeaten in her class. Plans at this early stage are to show her again next year as a senior heifer. Confirming another good day, the Ranfurly herd also won the junior heifer class with the stylish September 2024 born Ranfurly Jade. Full of breeding this calf is by the 16,000gns Ranfurly Limelight and is out of Raceview Mindy Hibernia, bought for the herd due to the back pedigree featuring the noted Raceview Misty Jade. A prolific show and sale herd, the Ranfurly herd won the Overall Supreme, and Reserve Overall at the 2019 NI Simmental National Show and when Michael Barlow, John’s father, was judging!
Ranfurly Weikel 56th, Overall Reserve, Junior Champion, & Reserve Female Champion
Speaking of the 2025 reserve Overall Ranfurly Weikel 56th, John Barlow said: “This heifer carried lots of style, had a real presence in the ring, and was show fit. Full of correctness with good mobility, she was a heifer that was hard to fault.”
Proving to be a knockout in the bulls was the July 2024 Bridgewater Farm Rocky (P), from Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, Co Tyrone who lifted the Male Championship and also the Reserve Junior award. This young heterozygous polled bull is by the AI sire Ranfurly Klinker, a Team Celtic son, and is out of the homebred Bridgewater Farm Phyliss 4th, an Atlow Dixon 12 EX 91 daughter going back to Anatrim Bodybuilder. Of his Male Champion, John Barlow commented: “This was a standout Male Champion. With lots of class and style he’s a growthy bull and I think he’s a big prospect for the Spring Sales next year.” In addition to the Male Championship at Clogher, Bridgewater Farm Rocky (P) has had class wins at both Omagh, and Armagh Shows and collective results that have put him firmly in the running to be the NI Simmenal Male of the Year. The 30 breeding female Bridgewater Farm herd has a good track record at both shows and sales and including a Reserve Supreme at Balmoral, and a Junior Champion at the Stirling Bull Sales. Speaking afterwards, Nigel Glasgow confirmed that Bridgewater farm Rocky (P) will be aimed at Stirling in February 2026.
Male Champion & Reserve Junior Champion, Bridgewater Farm Rocky
Making a fantastic NI Simmental National Show debut was Ryan Gilmour, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who won the largest class of some ten young bulls on the day, before going on to take the Reserve Male Championship, with the September 2024 born Gillview Rocket. Another Saltire Impressive son, Rocket is out of the second calver Gillview Lady Lauren, a Kilbride Farm Bantry 10 embryo daughter going back to Hillcrest Champion, and whose first heifer calf is retained in the herd. Unbeaten in his show classes to date, this was only Gillview Rocket’s second show outing having previously being judged first in his class at Castlewellan Show. For the ten breeding female Gillview herd this is their biggest show accolade to date and speaking afterwards, a delighted Ryan Gilmour said: “He’s a bull calf with style, power, and a lovely head, and we’ll now give a little thought to forward plans for him and taking aim at the Spring Sales in 2026.” Ryan is also the NI Simmental Club’s Secretary, and works full time for the NI Department of Agriculture.
Reserve Male Champion, Gillview Rocket
Echoing Ryan’s thoughts on Gillview Rocket, John Barlow said: “This was a big class of bulls and both the first and second prize winners have big futures ahead. The Gillview bull had real length to him, was soft fleshing, had a tremendous breed head, and carried a lot of show presence.”
Taking second in this class was Lisglass Real Deal from JL & CJ Weatherup, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Another Saltire Impressive son, this September 2024 born bull out of Lisglass Klassy, a Dermotstown Delboy ET EX 92 daughter, was crowned Male Champion at the 2025 RUAS Balmoral in May. The Lisglass herd enjoyed a top day at Clogher with a class win for their Intermediate heifer Dermody Royal Lucy, and wins in both the Pairs, and Group of Three classes.
The Simmental judging was rounded off with two well supported and terrific classes for Young Handlers. Showing loads of enthusiasm and great abilities the respective classes were won by Lewis Dodd (Craigy Herd); and Rhys Rodgers (Hiltonstown Herd).
Overall Championship presentation Ballinalare Farm Nikita & Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
Female Championship presentation Ballinlare Farm Nikita & Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
Junior Championship presentation Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 & Bridgewater Farm Rocky
NI SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW RESULTS 2025
Judge: John Barlow, Denizes Herd, Lancashire
CLASS 162 (COW OR HEIFER IN MILK)
1ST BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA (429)
CLASS 164 (INTERMEDIATE HEIFER 1/07/23 – 31/12/23)
1ST DERMODY ROYAL LUCY (431)
Dermody Royal Lucy
2ND BRIDGEWATER FARM WISTERIA 4th (430)
CLASS 165 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/01/24 – 30/04/24)
1ST RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5 (434)
2ND CRAIGY BEATRICE R1 (432)
3RD MULLYNOCK RITA (436)
4TH MULLYNOCK RUTH (437)
CLASS 166 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/05/24 – 31/08/24)
1ST BALLINALARE FARM RITZ (438)
Ballinalare Farm Ritz
2ND LISGLASS ROSE (439)
3RD BALLINALARE FARM REGAL (440)
CLASS 167 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/09/24 – 31/12/24)
1ST RANFURLY JADE 2ND R13 (441)
Ranfurly Jade 2nd Class 167, Junior Heifer born on or between 1st September and 31st December 2024
2ND HAYSTAR BEAUTY 4 (443)
CLASS 168 (HEIFER CALF BORN IN 2025)
1ST COOLCRAN LADY SHAKIRA (445)
Coolcran Lady Shakira
2ND MULLYNOCK SUSIE (447)
3RDGORTDONAGHY SHE’S THE ONE (448)
4TH MULLYNOCK SALLY (446)
CLASS 169 (HEIFER PERFORMANCE RECORDED)
1st RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH
CLASS 170 (CHAMPION FEMALE)
FEMALE CHAMPION – (429) BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA
RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION – (434) RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5
CLASS 172 (JUNIOR BULL 01/01/24 – 30/04/24)
1ST HAYSTAR ROMEO (449)
CLASS 173 (JUNIOR BULL 01/05/24 – 31/08/24)
1ST BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY (453)
2ND HAYSTAR ROUND ONE (451)
3RD HILLHEAD FARM REDEMPTION (452)
CLASS 174 (JUNIOR BULL 01/09/24 – 31/12/24)
1ST GILLVIEW ROCKET (460)
2ND LISGLASS REAL DEAL (455)
3RD DRUMSAMNEY RORY (454)
4TH COOLCRAN RAFIKI (457)
5TH GILLVIEW RANGER (461)
6TH HILTONSTOWN RIPTIDE (458)
CLASS 175 (BULL CALVE BORN IN 2025)
1ST MULLYNOCK SCORPIO (466)
Mullyknock Scorpio Class 175 Bull Calf born in 2025
2ND DRUMSAMNEY SAMSON (465)
CLASS 176 (DANI ROSEBOWL PERFORMANCE RECORDED BULL)
1ST COOLCRAN RAFIKI
Coolcran Rafiki Class 176 & Dani Rosebowl Performance Recorded Bull
2ND HILLHEAD FARM REDEMPTION
CLASS 177 (MALE CHAMPIONSHIP)
CHAMPION MALE – (453) BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY
RESERVE CHAMPION MALE – (460) GILLVIEW ROCKET
CLASS 178 (JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP)
JUNIOR CHAMPION – (434) RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5
RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION – (453) BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY
CLASS 179 (OVERALL SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
OVERALL CHAMPION – (429) BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA
CLASS 180 (PAIRS)
1ST LISGLASS
Lisglass Pairs winners
2ND MULLYNOCK
3RD BRIDGEWATER FARM
4TH RANFURLY
5TH GILLVIEW
CLASS 181 (GROUP OF 3)
1ST LISGLASS
Group of 3 Winners Lisglass
2ND GILLVIEW
CLASS 182 (YOUNG HANDLERS 8-12)
1ST LEWIS DODD
Young Handlers 8 to 12, Lewis Dodd
2ND CHARLIE CAHOON
3RD TIMOTHY RAINEY
4TH LUCY HAZELTON
CLASS 183 (YOUNG HANDLERS 13 – 18 )
1ST RHYS RODGERS
Young Handler 13 to 18 Rhys Rodgers
2ND LEXIE WILSON
3RD JAMIE DODD
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 28, 2025 | 2025 Royal Welsh Show, 2025 Welsh News, 2025 News, 2025
Treverbyn Roxi takes Female Championship and Overall Reserve
Crugmelyn Rynys wins Reserve Male Championship
Simmental Team Wins Interbreed Young Handler Pairs
Banwy Rambo places 3rd in the Elite Junior Bull Interbreed
Multiple births have been a bit of a theme in the Simmental breed at this year’s summer shows and was the case again at the Royal Welsh Show held at Builth Wells, Llanellwedd between 21st-24th July. Winning the Overall Supreme Championship, in front of the judge Richard Storer Smith of the noted Storersmith pedigree herd, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, was Gethin and Enfys Lloyd, Glanrhyd, Carmarthen, with their twin bull calf Crugmelyn Rglen. Lifting the Male Championship and Overall Reserve was his twin brother, Crugmelyn Rynys.
Crugmelyn Rglen, Overall Supreme Champion, and Male Champion
The twin bull calves, July 2024 born, are by the noted AI sire Auchorachan Hercules, and are out of Crugmelyn Lynwen, a Heywood Granite daughter. It was an emotional win for the Lloyds with it being their first Overall Supreme at the Royal Welsh and having not shown for a number of years at Builth Wells. Crugmelyn Lynwen is also the last remaining cow in the herd and just due to a downsizing through farming circumstances. The poignancy of the win was due to the calves having been born on the 1st July, which was also the 90th birthday of Enfys’s mum. The calves were subsequently named after her and if you drop the year letter R from both, and combine the two names, you have ‘Glenyrys’. Sadly Glenyrys has passed away since then and hence a few tears in memory, and happiness, were shed by the family in the show ring.
Crugmelyn Rglynys, Reserve Male & Overall Reserve Champion
Commenting afterwards, Gethin Lloyd said: “It’s been an amazing day and winning our home Royal Welsh Show is so special, and with the story behind our ‘two little boys’. In coming to the show the twin bulls are so well matched that we thought they had a chance of winning the Pairs but really never expected this, it’s by far the high point of our showing career.” A little time is required now for everything to sink in and decisions to be made as to next steps with these ‘top twins’.
Speaking of his Supreme Champion, the judge Richard Storer Smith said: At twelve months old, this is just a smart, very modern young Simmental bull and of a type for today’s market. He’s well fleshed, very square, has width through his top, and is good on his plates. He has very good carcase characteristics, will put width into the backend, and I’m sure will be an easy calving bull. His twin shared very similar characteristics and two very good young Simmental bulls.” For good measure, these young bulls duly teamed up to win the Simmental Pairs title.
Treverbyn Roxi, Overall Supreme Reserve Champion, and Female Champion
Lifting the Overall Reserve title, and the Female Championship, was the heifer Treverbyn Roxi from Ant Hart, Carloggas Farm, St Austell, Cornwall. This February 2024 born heifer is by Skylark Geronimo, and is out of Coose Nicole 2nd. Remarkably this was Roxi’s first time in the show ring and having only been broken some three weeks prior to the show. Of his Overall Reserve, Richard Storer Smith said: “My Female Champion is a very sweet, feminine Simmental heifer. She has good length to her, is very level across the top, and moved extremely well. Very showy with plenty of style, she has plenty of future to her.”
The Treverbyn herd has had a prolific show season with their team around the UK, and the Reserve Overall added to that in what was a first time showing at the Royal Welsh. Thea Woollatt from GH Farming, Chepstow, was once again in charge of showing the team. Further success was to follow for the GH Farming Team when Beth Snape, and Jorjia Snook-Bevis lifted the prestigious Interbreed Cattle Young Handler Pairs title on day three of the show. Beth and Jorjia both joined GH Farming last year and this summer have been helping Thea with the Treverbyn show cattle. During the judging, Beth was handling Treverbyn Peace, and Jorjia had Treverbyn Pandora. Both heifers are in-calf and this was their last show of the summer before going on ‘maternity leave’. Judging this interbreed was Johnny Ward, Wardean, Somerset.
Hallway Diamond’s Pearl, Reserve Female Champion
Taking the Reserve Simmental Female Championship was the heifer Hallway Diamond’s Pearl from Barry Harding, and his daughter Lizzie, Cornerfields Farm, Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire. February 2023 born, Diamond’s Pearl is by Fairymount Lancer, and is out of Hallway Gem VG 85, an Islavale Debonair 2 12. Hallway Diamond’s Pearl is in-calf to the noted AI bull Sterling Gino.
Banwy Rambo, third in the Elite Junior Bull Interbreed
Other Simmental highlights saw the young bull Banwy Rambo from Dafydd Jones, Maesllymystyn, Welshpool take a very credible third in the Elite Junior Bull Interbreed. April 2024 born, Rambo is by PHS Polled Worldwide 14W (P), and is out of the entirely homebred Banwy Marigold, a Banwy Jackpot daughter.
Male Championship presentation, Crugmelyn Twins bulls
Female Championship Presentation
by Nicky Moreton | May 22, 2025 | 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
SIMMENTALS TOPPING SALES AT: TRURO; HOLSWORTHY; MARKET DRAYTON; SEDGEMOOR; MELTON MOWBRAY; FROME; SALISBURY; THAME; LANCASTER; THAINSTONE; RUGBY; AYR; THIRSK; STIRLING; CARLISLE; OSWESTRY; MONMOUTHSHIRE; DINGWALL; BAKEWELL; QUOYBRAE; HUNTLY; GISBURN; LANCASTER; CROOKLANDS; LUDLOW; HALLWORTHY; HEXHAM; LANARK; SELBY; LERWICK; EXETER; & BALLYMENA
Industry figures show, calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires, and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires.
The average daily carcase gain (DCG) of the progeny of a Simmental bull out of all dams is 4.6% better than the DCG of the progeny of a Continental sire out of all dams, and 17.5% better than the DCG of the progeny of a native sire out of all dams.
Add to that the maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year and pound for pound, there’s more to Simmental!
The Simmental breed continues to do the business at commercial sales around the UK showing its all-round abilities, efficiency, flexibility, and added value.
Here we catch up on the Simmental Market Briefs from April and highlight Simmental cattle leading store; prime; breeding; calf; and cull sale sections at some 32 UK livestock markets.
There’s more to Simmental with the combination of leading age at slaughter; leading daily carcase gain; and the benchmark maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year.
Nothing finishes faster than a Simmental! Industry figures over ten years shows calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires, and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires.
A Simmental sire over your cows gives you more! The average daily carcase gain (DCG) of the progeny of a Simmental bull out of all dams is 4.6% better than the DCG of the progeny of a Continental sire out of all dams, and 17.5% better than the DCG of the progeny of a native sire out of all dams.
Add in the maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year and pound for pound, and you’ve got all-round money making Simmentals. There’s more to Simmental!
Simmental breeding females were on fire, in numbers, at a sale of 333 adult breeding cattle at ANM Group Ltd’s Thainstone Centre on 30th April. Cows (21) sell to a top of £8200 for a pure Simmental cow with a Simmental bull calf at foot from W G Macpherson, Blackford, Croy. The same vendor also topped the section of cows with heifer calf (31) with another pure Simmental cow with Simmental heifer calf at foot selling at £5900. Bulling Heifers (122) sold to a top of £3850 for a pair of tremendous 19-month-old Simmental heifers from A D Sutherland & Sons, Connachie, Kellas, and some £1100 above the section average of £2750. The section of In Calf Cows (9) sold to a top of £2000 for a Simmental from Whiteinches, Pitcaple.
Simmentals featured strongly throughout the sections and the depth of the trade and demand for Simmental breeding is highlighted by the leading (Simmental) prices here:
Heifer with Bull Calf: SimX – Ardhuncart, Kildrummy £4900, Auchtygall £4850, £4800 (X2); Sim – South Blachrie, Fyvie £4850.
Heifer with Heifer Calf: SimX – South Blachrie £4950, £4900 (X2), £4800 (X2), Auchtygall £4800, Rennieshill, Newmachar £4700; Sim – Auchtygall £4900;
Cow with Bull Calf: Sim – Whitehouse, Lumphanan £4350, Crudie Farm, Arbroath £4300, £4050; SimX – Whitehouse £4250, Crudie Farm £4000;
Cow with Heifer Calf: SimX – Whitehouse £4200; Sim – Crudie Farm £4200, £4000, £3950;
Bulling Heifers: SimX – Connachie, Kellas £3850, £3350, £3300, £3250; Brodieshill, Alves – £3600, £3500, £3400; Northton, Cullerlie £3200, £3150.
At Truro Livestock Market’s sale of store cattle on 30th April, a super trade from start to finish, topped at £2525 on behalf of Mr D Moyle of Camborne for his stand out single Simmental steer.
In a sale of 210 store cattle at Holsworthy on 30th April, top on the day was £2560 for a Simmental from Mr S Norman, Dolton
At Market Drayton on 30th April, a Simmental bull (24 months) from George Wainwright made £4960.
At a sale of 209 finished and forward cattle at Sedgemoor on 30th April, steers sold to £2808.20 for a 760kg Simmental from CHJ Atwell & Sons, Claverham.
In a sale at Melton Mowbray on 29th April, the bulls saw a Simmental bull from JR Goddard reaching £3650 selling David Johnson and featuring in the top prices.
At Frome on 28th April, and a sale of 104 calves, a cracking run of Simmentals from M Carver & Son saw £560 and £550 and Simmental heifers flying to £498 and £485. Simmental heifers from NAC Taylor to £460.
In a sale of young stores at Salisbury on 28th April, topping the charts was a wonderful run of fed 12 m.o. Simmental stores from regular sender Nick Doggrell, these quality sorts saw heifers sell to £1600, steers to £1850, £2110, £2130 and £2410, an exceptional result.
On 25th April, and a sale of store cattle at Frome, in the young continentals the Marklove family producing some outstanding homebred suckled Simmentals these best of types 10mo saw amazing prices with steers £1650 – £1880, their heifers £1310. Hard Dairy x Simmental steers (11-15mo) from Nigel Hitchens easily to £1620. Forward heifers equally sought after with Simmental heifers to £2450 (24mo) again from HJ Marklove.
At Thame’s sale of 508 store cattle on 25th April, M/S EW & JE Masters topped the heifers at £2300 and £2280 for homebred Simmentals.
Lancaster’s sale of store cattle on 25th April incorporated the monthly sale of stirks with these considered an unbelievable trade. Heifers topped at £1400 for a Simmental at nine months old from WJ&EA Woodhouse, Nateby. A pair of Simmental bullocks from WJ&EA Woodhouse, Nateby, to £1600 at ten months old.
In a sale of prime cattle at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts, on 24th April, under 30 month – prime bullocks sold to £3227 gross for an 870kg Simmental Cross from Woodbank, Drumblade. 30 to 36 month – bullocks sold to £2844.35 gross for an 815kg Simmental Cross from Mains of Corsegight, New Deer.
A sale of baby calves at Rugby on 24th April saw the top price going to Andrew Hall and a Simmental Bull Calf realising £580, other prices of note £560 & £510 for Peter Hemmings Simmental Heifers.
At Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd’s Ayr market on 24th April, Simmentals topped both the bullocks and the heifers in a sale of 433 store cattle. Top price of the day was £2840 for a Simmental Heifer off Stoopshill. Bullocks peaked at £2820 for four Simmentals from the same vendor.
Thirsk’s sale of 230 cattle on 24th April saw the top price of the day achieved by Chris & James Burton of Cottam, with an outstanding, 98m, Simmental X cow, weighing 793kg, topping the pounds per head at £2740 and being purchased by Morgan Helliwell, Rochdale.
At Stirling on 23rd April, United Auctions sold 2326 Store & Native Bred Cattle and 170 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Leading Simmental prices in the bullocks included: Neuk £2600, Gilmanscleugh 519.0p; Wester Mye £2570, Little Aiden 513.0p; Drummie £2540, Callendoune 508.40p. Leading Simmental heifer prices included: Garvald Mains £2720, Grange of Lindores 516.40p; Grange of Lindores £2520, Oatridge 504.00p. In a sale of rearing cattl, Stirling stirks still on fire with 5 month old Dairy X Simm stirks to £1380.
In a sale of store cattle at Truro on 23rd April, the section for one year old heifers was topped at £1810 for Simmentals from Mr J Gregory of Chacewater, truro. In a sale of rearing calves on the same day, another fantastic trade, with a ringside full of buyers saw the best of the bull calves racing away to £720 for a 12 week old Simmental x bull sold by Messrs L W & S Hosken from Helston.
On 23rd April, Harrison and Hetherington held their weekly sale of weaned bulls and stirks at Carlisle. Store bulls break Ring 4 record with T & C Todd, Wyndham House selling a 14 month Fleckvieh bull, away for breeding at £3500.
Oswestry on the 23rd April saw the dispersal of the Pickhill Old Hall suckler herd of the Ormrod family. Within that a fantastic run of 50 store cattle from the herd sold at the end of the catalogue met a tremendous trade topping the sale with some Simmental bullocks weighing 340kgs at 553ppk. Top price for steers in the store sale lump was £2580 for a 24-month-old Simmental from J Hamlet, The Marches. British Blue and Simmental steers 6 -7 months sold to 515ppk from D Clay, Cross Lanes Farm.
At Monmouthshire on 23rd April, and a sale of store cattle, grazing sorts continue to be easy to place and sold to 494p/kg (£1780-360kg) for Simmental crosses from S Goldsmith, Glascoed.
At Salisbury on 22nd April and a sale of finished cattle, heifers sold to 378.5p for Stuart Morgan’s very tidy Simmentals.
At Dingwall on 22nd April, Dingwall & Highland Marts sold 875 store cattle and 91 OTM cattle. Heifers (479) sold to £3,200 gross for a 630kg Simmental from Blackford Farm, Croy. Young Bulls sold to £2,160 gross for a 545kg Simmental from Blackford Farm, Croy.
On 22nd April, Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 102 Prime and Cast Cattle at their sale in Ayr. Prime Cattle sold sharper again with more quality forward. Clean Heifers sold to £2550 (418p) for a Simmental from J McCornick, Drumjargon.
Bakewell’s sale of finished cattle on 22nd April saw a top of 422p or £2844 for a smart suckler bred Simmy from Kevin Atkin (Atkin Bros) Barrow on Trent.
At Quoybrae on 21st April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 332 store cattle. Heifers (128) averaged 453.7p per kg and sold to 554.9per kg for a pen of 364kg Simmentals from Ha, Durran and sold to £2,360 for a 564kg Simmental Cross from Roadside, Kirk.
On 21st April at Borderway, Carlisle, and a sale of cast cows and stock bulls, Messrs Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm sold the top priced Simmental cow for 909kg, 323.5ppk or £2940 to Morgan Helliwell.
United Auctions on 19th April at Huntly sold 714 store cattle and OTMS. OTMS sold to a top gross of £2580 for a 980kg SimX from East-Brae, Grange.
On 19th April and a sale of store cattle at Gisburn, feeding bulls met a strong trade as expected. Peaking the trade at £2550 was J Butterworth with a strong 14mo Simmental.
In a sale of 506 busk calves and stirks at Sedgemoor on 19th April, bulls sold to £1350 (2x only 7m) for pure bred Simmentals from R Ridout.
At Lancaster’s sale of store cattle on 18th April, bullocks continue to sell to extreme rates. Top price was £2820 for a single Fleckvieh from EJ Hodgson, Lambrigg.
At Thainstone on 18th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1436 store cattle, young bulls and young and weaned calves. An excellent entry of Store Cattle sold to a top of £2870 for a 714kg Simmental Cross Heifer from Messrs Nicolson, Relugas Mains, Dunphail. Bulls (20) sold to £2310 gross for a pair of 564kg Simmentals from Drumsleed, Fordoun.
In a sale of 455 store cattle at Thame on 18th April, feeding cows sold to £2740 for Simmental X.
In a sale of store cattle on 18th April at Frome, and in the young continentals, AAM farms Yeovil had a wonderful consignment of 40 homebred single suckled Charolais and Simmental heifers (11-12mo). All had good conformation and growth and were wanted with their first 5 pens all over £1500 and topping at a whopping £1610!! Real quality 11mo Simmental steers from N R Hitchens Paulton commanded fierce bidding selling to a terrific £1700!
At Ludlow on 18th April, and a sale of TB restricted store cattle, Simmental X Steers topped at £2450, with others at £2290.
At Thainstone on 17th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 53 prime cattle. Young Bulls sold to £3437.40 gross for a 1020kg Simmental from Berryleys, Grange.
320 store cattle at Hallworthy on 17th April saw AP & DJ House of St Issey steal the show with an outstanding run of Simmental x Cattle. Their top a pair of 23 month Simmental x Steers deep and long bodied to £2660 next a trio of similar types away at £2440.
At Stirling on 16th April, United Auctions sold 2038 Store Cattle and 174 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Beef Cows (136) averaged 294.85p to 401.6p per kilo for a 620kg Simm from High Mathernock. Simm bullocks topped at Balegreggan £2860 £2680, Balgonar 536.80p; and with Simm heifers at £2500, Innerwick. OTM cows topped at 401.60p for a Simm from High Mathernock.
On 16th April and a sale of prime cattle at Frome, a good show of meat and finish in the steer section topping at 398p/kg for Simmental x from CW Butcher & Son grossing £2305.
In a sale of barren cows and bulls at Salisbury on 15th April, Simmentals led the way at up to 319.5p (£2380.28) from Sid and Jinty Brown, 284.5p from James Whittle and 275p from Bruce Horn. On the same day and a sale of young stores 6-11 months, continentals took ‘all the glory’. Simmental stores from the Russell family sold at an extraordinary £1880, and £1720 for steers.
On 15th April at Hexham, young bulls were topped at £1690, and 361.5p per kg by Newsham Grange.
Bakewell’s sale of young bulls on 14th April saw Tom Robinson, Abney with the top price of 400p or £3048 for a suckler bred Simmy.
In a sale of calves and stirks at Lanark on 14th April, on milk calves were topped by a Simmental x bull calf from Stewart, Balglass Farm, reaching £700.
At Sedgemoor on 14th April, and a sale of barren cows and OA bulls, a Simmental from J Popham (1120kg & FA) met £3500 exactly when sold to 312.5ppk.
At Carlisle on 14th April and a sale of cast cows and stock bulls, Messrs Goldie, Townfoot Farm sold the top priced Simmental cow for 910kg, 323.5p, £2943 to Morgan Helliwell. Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe Farm sold a Simmental cow for 795kg, 337.5p, £2683, also to Morgan Helliwell.
On 14th April, and a sale of barren cows, bulls, and overage clean cattle at Market Drayton, young restricted bulls selling on a very competitive trade peaked at 392p or £3,473.12 for Simmental from The Huxley Family, Horsemans Green.
At Sedgemoor on 14th April and a sale of 317 calves, top of the day of £860 for a trio of Simmental bulls as part of a smart consignment for DE Down & Son, who sold another to £705, all 2 months.
Selby’s sale of store cattle on 12th April saw the section within of OTMs/Cows topped by a Simm cow 794kg at £2262 from J Foulston & Sons.
At Thainstone on 11th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1516 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves inc organics. Young Bulls sold to 459.2p per kg for a pair of Simmental Cross from Tombreckachie, Glenlivet.
On 11th April at Frome’s sale of store cattle, demand stays strong for farm assured, good conformation forward cattle with well-presented Simmental steers setting the trade at £2410 from Willowbrook Farm of Melksham.
On 10th April at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 154 Cows and Bulls to average £2426.46 or 314ppk. Beef Finished Cows (90) averaged £2,686.11 and sold to £3,440 for a 992kg Simmental Cross from East Cairnbeg, Laurencekirk.
A busy day at Rugby on 10th April and a sale of store cattle. Breeders kicked off at speed with C H Evans selling Simmental Cows 2021 with a 3m old Calf to £2900. In a sale of baby calves on the same day, top price was £560 for a Simmental Bull Calf from GTA Hall, Atherstone who also sold 6 others Bulls and Heifers all over the £500 mark.
At Lerwick on 9th April, Shetland Livestock Marketing Group in conjunction with Aberdeen & Northern Marts, sold 217 head of cattle. Cast Cows sold to £2290 for an 809kg Simmental Cross cow from Hellia, Aithsetter.
At a sale of weaned cattle at Borderway, Carlisle on 9th April, Bullocks sold to £2300 including a pen of 13 month old Simmentals from Auchengray Farms, New Abbey.
At Stirling on 9th April, United Auctions sold 2029 store cattle and 91 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls and 37 rearing cattle. Bullocks (1068) sold to a top price of £2800 for a 736kg Simm from Kirkland. Heifers (846) sold to £2720 for a 702kg Simm from East Revoch. In the rearing cattle, Kaimhill Farming sold x5 Simm stirks for £1250, and £1100 x4.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 112 Prime and Cast Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 8th April. Cast Cows sold to a top price per head of £2320 for a Simmental from Dunduff. Clean Cattle top price per head in the bullocks was a Simmental at £2060 from Adamcroft.
At Quoybrae on 7th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1,313 store cattle. Heifers (382) sold to £2,520 gross for a 568kg Simmental Cross from 11 Lochend Barrock.
On 7th April and a sale of barren, OTM, and feeding cows AT Bakewell, trade peaked at 390 pence for a 33 month old Simmental from Meadow Place Farms, Youlgreave.
In a sale of prime and forward cattle at Sedgemoor on 7th April, steers peaked at 420.5ppk for a lightweight Simmental (521kg) from V Young & Sons, Bristol, who sold more 412.5 (431 & 438kg) 409.5 (504kg) and 407.5ppk (510kg). In a sale of bulls, top of the day was for a very shapely Simmental Bull (1080kg & FA) which rose to 297.5ppk and grossed a neat £3,213 from RJ & GJ Tucker.
In a sale of 138 calves at Exeter on 4th April, Simmentals on fire. Top of the day was £800 for the best of a cracking run of weaned Simmental bulls from Ross Govier of Longdown who sold others to £780, £760, £720 & £710.
At Hexham’s sale of store cattle on 4th April, mid range, grazing type cattle were in huge demand. Mr M Wallace, White Hills, Newton Stewart selling exceptionally well with a pen of three Simmental crosses cashing at £2330.00.
On 4th April and a sale of 566 weanlings at Market Drayton, heifers were in high demand with top price going to £1680 for a 12mo Simmental from RW Adams & Son, and £1270 for ten month old Simmentals from JE Freeman, Stafford. A nice packet of 5mo Simmentals sold for £910 from P Bennett & Son. The sale of 827 rearing calves saw an exceptional trade across all grades, with demand very high! Top price: £805 for a Simmental from J Gould & Son, Leek, with a further Simmental at £800 from WJ Holdcroft.
At Thainstone on 4th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1366 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Heifers (560) sold to £3200 gross for a Pen of Five 590kg Simmental Crosses from Law Farm, Insch.
On 4th April at Ballymena, a super entry of suckler cows sold to £3400 for a super Simmental cow in-calf to a Saler bull from T McMaster, Broughshane.
At Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts, on 3rd April sold 75 Prime Cattle. 30 to 36 Month – bullocks averaged 360.2p and sold to 395p per kg for a 680kg Simmental Cross from East Cairnorrie, Methlick. On the same day and a sale of 194 cows and bulls, bulls sold to £3970 for a 1330kg Simmental from Croftbain, Tomnavoulin.
At NWA’s Jct 36 Crooklands sale on 3rd April, the sky high store trade continued. Heifers hit £2300 for a Simmental from JF&C Saunders, Ulverston.
At Stirling on 2nd April, United Auctions sold 1757 Store Cattle and 114 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Leading Simm prices in the bullocks included: Elsmcleugh & Barbarafield £2740, Little Ballo 529.40p, Yonderhaugh £2700 x2, Dinwoodie Green 521.00p, Briarlands £2680, Bogside 508.40p.
In a sale of prime cattle at Frome on 2nd April, the top price heifer was 379p/kg for a Simmental from AE Weaver & Son. Simmentals also topped the cull cows at 322p/kg from AL & DM Sage & Son, Claverton.
At Melton Mowbray on 2nd April and a sale of store and breeding cattle, pedigree Simmental Cow & Calf Outfits to £3500 for JR Goddard, Norwich; Pedigree Simmental Heifers to £3100 for JR Goddard, Norwich.
A sale of barren cows and bulls at Salisbury on 1st April saw another rip roaring trade as cows sold to 305.5p or £2428.73 for a grand Simmental from James Whittle.
by Nicky Moreton | May 6, 2025 | 2025 Worcester Sales, 2025 News, 2025
Beanhill Ryan 24 makes 11,000gns
Wroxall Pornstar 23 (P) makes 9,000gns
20,000gns a new all-breeds centre record, and record for a Simmental bull sold in England
It was a record breaking day at the Worcester Simmental Sale held on Saturday 3rd May, at McCartneys Worcester Livestock Market.
Record-breaking 20,000gns Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP)
Selling at 20,000gns and setting a new all-breeds centre record at Worcester, and a new record for a Simmental bull sold at a Society sale in England, was the homozygous polled, and entirely homebred, Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP), from Nigel Darling, Intwood, Norwich.
December 2023 born, Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP) is by Blue Cedar Kelso (PP), and is out of Blue Cedar Edwina 4th (PP). Purchasing this bull was stock manager Richard Bell for the 300-cow Bowley herd of Mr CM Mercer based at Hope-Under-Dinmore, Herefordshire. With limited staff, ease of management is a big factor for the Bowley herd and with the homozygous polled status of this bull being particularly attractive.
Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP) with purchaser Richard bell (left), breeder Nigel Darling, and stockman Phil Boyd-Stevenson
Commenting after the sale a delighted Nigel Darling said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to sell Blue Cedar Peter (PP) for this top price, and to set so many new record marks along the way is just amazing. I joined the Society some fifteen years ago and have been concentrating on breeding polled cattle from the outset. We’ve presently got twelve cows and all of which are homozygous polled. There’s more and more demand for homozygous polled Simmentals from commercial producers who want easier management with no dehorning of calves whilst still retaining the traits the breed is renowned for.” The Blue Cedar herd was established in 2010 with the purchase of the 15-month-old bull Wroxall Abacus 09 (PP), and with the purchase of the heifer Hunnyhill Wendy (P) thereafter. Next up for the Blue Cedar herd will be the Royal Norfolk and with more homozygous polled genetics on show.
Endorsing Nigel Darling’s comments was the purchaser Richard Bell who said: “In a big herd like Bowley and with not many staff, homozygous polled Simmental genetics is very attractive to us. This bull has also got excellent calving ease figures and above average indexes so he ticks a lot of boxes and we’re delighted to have him.”
9000gns Wroxall Pornstar (P), Overall Supreme Champion
Earlier in the sale Richard Bell also purchased the day’s pre-sale show Overall Champion for 9000gns, and in the shape of the heterozygous polled Wroxall Pornstar (P) from the long established Wroxall herd of CH Evans & Son, Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire. This naturally polled bull has shown phenomenal growth for age with figures to back this up, especially on the replacement traits. His mother was shown extensively and notably winning the breed championship at both the Three Counties and Staffordshire shows for two years on the trot. Wroxall Pornstar (P), is by Corskie Megastar 21 (P), and is out of Wroxall Lovely-Moira (P), a Coose Gambler (P) daughter.
The pre-sale show judge was Rhys Grenham from the noted Boars Head herd in Crowborough, East Sussex.
11,000gns Beanhill Ryan 24
The second highest price on the day was the 11,000gns paid for the final bull in the sale, Beanhill Ryan 24 from Mr & Mrs RJ & BE Kimber, Chippenham, Wiltshire. January 2024 born, this bull is by the AI sire Broombrae Major M3 21, and is out of Beanhill Inca EX 90, a Tillbrook Earl daughter. Purchasing this bull was RB Gough, The Gippols, Harley, Shrewsbury.
A small show of Simmental bulls within this multibreed fixture saw five out of the six forward sell to average £10,248 and again, a new record average mark for this fixture.
Judge Rhys Grenham left with Champion Wroxall Pornstar (P), and Reserve Champion Wroxall Pow Wow (P)
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