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)
by Nicky Moreton | May 2, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
At the pre-sale show of bulls being held on Sunday May 4th at 11am, Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield Simmental herd, Penicuik, Midlothian will be the very capable ‘man in the middle’ as the judge for the day.
Gavin and his wife Anna established the Springfield herd in 2014, some four years after purchasing the 140 acre Springfield Farm situated near the Pentland Hills.
The herd was initiated with the purchase of two cows with calves at foot from the local Woodhall herd of Hector McAskill, and two further cows, again with calves at foot, from the Hazelden Dispersal Sale of N McGeoch, Lochlea Farm, Kilmarnock.
In the very early stages after purchase, considerable work and time was needed to build Springfield Farm up. Gavin was looking for a pure bred animal that could be run commercially with low input, to try and keep running costs to a minimum, and a breed that was easy to work with and calf as the farm had very little in the way of handling facilities. So fitting this bill, it was the Simmental breed that Gavin and Anna turned to.
Today, and built around a base of quality bloodlines, the Springfield herd now comprises of 30 Simmental breeding females and with the herd having met with considerable success in both the sale and show ring.
Increasingly prolific, the herd’s sale averages have increased year on year to a best performance to date in February (this year) when eight bulls sold to a mighty average of £8250. This included a new herd top price at sale of £14,175 for Springfield Pace, (a son of the herd’s influential stock sire Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX92), and which sold to Orkney.
Another noted sale highlight for Gavin was in October 2022 when the Springfield herd had its first heifers for sale at Stirling and which averaged £4500, with a top of £6200. Four of the heifers were purchased by the high profile Popes herd of Jimmy and Vikki Wood, Dutton, Lancashire. For good measure on the same day, the herd sold four bulls, which had finished first, second, and third in their classes, and to average £5000. Live sales and semen sales have now seen Springfield genetics go world wide and including to China, Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey.
A keen supporter of the summer and winter shows, locally and nationally, the herd has met with many successes and including in the last four years, Simmental Championship wins at: the Simmental Youngstock Show at Carlisle; Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling; and LiveScot at Lanark. The aforementioned Islavale Jabba also secured the Senior Male Championship at the 2023 Simmental Scottish National, and was the World Silver Medallist for the breed in the Simmental Breeder online show.
Islavale Jabba has been prolific stock bull for the Springfield herd
13,500gns Springfield Pace
Speaking generally on the Simmental breed, why it fits the bill within the Springfield enterprise, and why it is proving so popular with commercial producers, Gavin commented: “I think the Simmental is one of the most commercial pedigree cows you can get. Low cost and low maintenance is so important but still striving to have that high daily live weight gain. It’s a balance the Simmentals have that I believe no other breed can match. Ease of calving is a real plus, and easy fleshing cattle just give you high outputs with low inputs. Generally females need to be able to survive on grass, whilst being milky, having a frame that supports easy calving, and carries enough flesh to support its calf through the first 6-8 months. To me these are the qualities where the Simmental excels and will give the breed the edge in future beef production.”
Turning to the bull sale at Stirling, and the judging job at hand this coming Sunday, and Gavin will again look to keep this very commercial focus. Speaking to the Society he said: “It’s an honour to be asked to Judge at the renowned Stirling Bull Sales and I’m very much looking forward to it. As ever I’m sure there will be a great show of Simmental stock with little to split between them. In selecting a winner I’ll definitely be focused on the demands of our commercial buyers and will be looking for bulls with good size, length, are well fleshed without being too extreme, or are overly powerful. As with any judging, fantastic breed character will always help that one special beast stand out from the rest!
Gavin, we very much hope that you enjoy your day, and the best of luck is extended to all Simmental vendors.
Judging Sunday May 4th, 11am
Sale of Simmental Bulls Monday May 5th, 12 Noon
It’s ‘time for a Simmental’ on Monday May 5th, with 35 bulls catalogued for the sale at United Auctions, Stirling FK9 4RN.
Please click on the link here to see the full published catalogue and timetable:
https://www.uagroup.co.uk/download_file/e166d153-2fec-4213-b27a-0a053681c0c3/1
by Nicky Moreton | Mar 18, 2025 | 2024 Centre West News
Judge Mrs J Borlase
Best Group of Maiden heifers
Bowley – Mr C M Mercer
Best Crop of In-calf heifers
Chapman – David Bush
Best Stock Bull
Bowley Jackson – Mr C Mercer
Best Cow family
Auroch Emma – Mrs J M Cockerill
Best Calf Born 2024
Chapman Knapweed’s Rowan – David Bush
Judges Special prize
4 x Yearling Bulls by Coose Gambler – C H Evans and Son
Small Herd Winner
Chapman – David Bush
Large Herd Winner
Wroxall – C H Evans and Son
by Nicky Moreton | Mar 12, 2025 | 2024 East Anglia News
Best Bull Calf
1st Wacton Russell RE & SHW Steggles
2nd Hemingford Red Rum James Griffin
3rd Cade Riddick PA & SM Cade
Yearling Bull
1st Hemmingford Pluto James Griffin
2nd Fircovert Pilot P Gunther
3rd Wacton Peroni RE & SHW Steggles
Stock Bull
1st Heathbrow Klassik James & Robin Brice
2nd Denizes Juggernant RE & SHW Steggles
3rd Cade Nugget Chris Curson
Best Heifer Calf
1st Guiltcross Ritzy MG Searle
2nd Rendham Rosie James & Robin Brice
3rd Cade Rockstar PA & SM Cade
Best 2 year Heifer
1st Cade Fifi’s Nala PA &SM Cade
2nd Theberton Nancy Mr & Mrs LJ Dowley
3rd Williams Fluff Nellie Jack Germany & Skye Dixon
Group of Yearlings
1st Rendham James & Robin Brice
2nd Therberton Mr & Mrs LJ Dowley
3rd Cade PA & SM Cade
Group of 2 year olds.
1st Cade PA & SM Cade
2nd Therberton Mr & Mrs LJ Dowley
3rd Fircovert Paul Gunther
Cow and Calf
1st Brandane Kirsty & Guiltcross Ritzy MG Searle
2nd Rendham Klassey & Rendham James & Robin Brice
3rd Hollybrook J-Lo & Hollybrook Ratchet Chris Curson
Family Group
1st Heathbrow Gillian James & Robin Brice
2nd Thursford Tina Chris Curson
3rd J & R Griffin
Commercial Heifer
1st 91 J & S German
2nd Royal Blue J & K Brice
3rd 42 C & Z Curson
Commercial Steer
1st 1206 C & Z Curson
2nd 88 J & S German
3rd Rodney J & K Brice
Best Herd Rendham James & Robin Brice
by Nicky Moreton | Mar 12, 2025 | 2024 Midlands News
Judge David Lowry
Small Herd
1st David Donnelly – Atlow
2nd Chris & Kath Martindale – Forsdale
3rd N & K Goddard – Ashes
Medium Herd
1st Paul Jolliffe – Star Green
2nd R & L Storersmith – Storersmith
3rd David Loftus – Blackpool
Large Herd
1st Jimmy & Vikki Wood – Popes
2nd Greasley Estate – Lambclose
3rd CH Evans & Son – Wroxall
Overall Herd J&V Wood Popes
Reserve Overall Greasley Estate Lambclose
Best Stock Bull
1st Clonagh Lucky Explorer – Popes
2nd Popes Laeretes – Lambclose
3rd Newbiemains Kalypso – Fishpool
Best Cow Family
1st Popes Princess – Popes
2nd Kilbride Farm Dora 65E – Atlow
3rd Fole Victoria – Ashes
Best Calf at Foot born 2024
1st Popes Radiant Eyes – Jimmy & Vikki Wood
2nd Atlow Rolls Royce – David Donnelly
3rd Star Green Dappy’s Raven – Paul Jolliffe
Best Group of in-calf Heifers
1st Blackpool – David Loftus
2nd Popes – Jimmy & Vikki Wood
3rd Lambclose – Greasley Estates
Best Group Maiden Heifers
1st Popes – Jimmy & Vikki Wood
2nd Atlow – David Donnelly
3rd Ashes – N & K Goddard
Judge’s Special Prize
Jamie Steed – Lambclose
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