It’s been a record-breaking year to remember for Overhill House Simmentals and owner Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. Here we profile the 130-cow herd, look at it’s history, and some of the breeding philosophies behind its ongoing progress and development.
Factfile: Overhill House Farm, Armadale, West Lothian 1000 owned acres, +200 rented 850 breeding ewes 130 Simmental cows, small Charolais herd 2.5 – 3 years age at first calving Spring calving March – June 90% + calves reared 9 to 10 calf crops
The team at Overhill House Simmentals had an unforgettable year in 2023 – topping the Stirling multibreed sale in May at 16,000gns and the Carlisle sale the same month at 10,000gns, then achieving a new breed record of 46,000gns at Stirling in October and finishing the year in style, selling a heifer at 18,000gns at the Nxt Generation sale in December! That level of success can never be guaranteed, but despite the unpredictable nature of pedigree breeding, the herd’s owner and founder, Richard McCulloch, says the highs have certainly outweighed the lows, since introducing Simmentals to his farm at Armadale, West Lothian, 20 years ago.
Richard’s passion for farming developed as a child, when he would regularly visit a local farm that was owned by friends of his parents. After building up a successful demolition business, his childhood dream was realised when he and his wife Lisa purchased a smallholding with 40 acres in 1993, marking the beginning of their farming journey. Richard explains: “From that initial 40 acres, we gradually increased the acreage over the years and we purchased Overhill House in 2004. It had previously been a dairy, complete with old byres, so we started from scratch developing the steading.”
Based at Overhill House with their sons Kier (13) and Cameron (12), while their older sons Johnston and Mac work in the family’s demolition and recycling business, Richard and Lisa are now farming 1000 owned acres, with a further 200 acres rented. There are currently 130 Simmental cows in the herd, which run alongside a small Charolais herd and a flock of 850 breeding ewes. For that enterprise, they have stockman Scott Gilmour, part-time shepherd Thomas Marshall and ‘all-rounder’ Donald Rew. Freelance stockman Brian Wills also helps out and has been a great source of advice for stockman Scott, who began working in the demolition side of the business before showing a keen eye for cattle.
“Our first experience of Simmentals was when I bought a bull from Andy Ryder’s Ryden herd, to go on the Blue Grey cows that we had at the time. I was really impressed by the bull and by the calves that he left, and I got to like the breed in general – it seemed a versatile breed with a docile nature, so I decided to buy some pure females,” explains Richard.
Aiming for easy fleshing animals with good feet and legs, Richard bought from various herds, including Fole and Corskie, and travelled to Ireland to buy some bloodlines from there. He boosted the numbers significantly in 2012 by purchasing 50 females from Hector McCaskill’s Woodhall herd, including several daughters of Raceview All-Star KK.
“We still introduce new bloodlines occasionally, but we try to keep the herd as closed as possible now, other than buying in bulls,” says Richard.
Stock bull purchases have proved key to the development of the herd, and one of the earlier ones, Curaheen Drifter, certainly left his stamp on the daughters that he bred. Richard describes them as ‘excellent females – square cattle, with great ends.’ He did exactly the job that they hoped he would, while other bulls that have clicked particularly well with the Overhill House females have been Aultmore Goliath, bought for 16,000gns in 2017 and the 24,000gns Islavale Heston, bought in 2018. Heston sired Overhill House Neil, the bull, out of a Drifter daughter, that took the champion title at Stirling in May, 2023, and sold for 16,000gns – an all-breeds record price at that sale. Another son of Heston, Overhill House McCoy, was champion at the Carlisle sale in May and sold for 10,000gns.
In February, 2021, Richard paid his highest price to-date for a bull, when he bought Pistyll Kingsman for 26,000gns at Stirling. He was initially drawn to the Woodhall breeding in his pedigree which he thought would do well with his females, and then considered him an ‘outstanding’ bull at the sale. His instincts were right – Kingsman sons, Overhill House Neo and Overhill House Nestor sold at 46,000gns and 13,000gns respectively, at Stirling in October ‘23, while his daughter Overhill House Neva, sold for 18,000gns at Carlisle’s Nxt Gen sale in December. There are four more impressive Kingsman sons heading to Stirling in February 2024.
Neo, which secured the pre-sale championship at Stirling before smashing the breed record, is out of Seepa Daffodil, bought at Roscommon in 2014 for €8000. Richard says: “I was drawn to her at the sale as she was a lovely, feminine heifer, with plenty length and not too extreme – and red coloured, which I like too.” One of only a few select females to have been flushed in the herd, Daffodil had consistently bred sons that sold at 6000-7000gns, prior to 2023.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions in the winter, the majority of the herd is now set to calve in the spring, between March and June, with a further 25 calving in September. They calve at between 2.5 to 3 years old and are given pre-calving minerals six weeks prior to calving.
“We’ve moved to mainly spring calving this year, so we can get them out to grass as soon as possible. It’s a lot healthier for the calves as we were finding they weren’t getting off to the best possible start being inside in the winter, with the often mild, damp weather conditions,” says Richard.
It makes for a busy spring though, as the lambing of the Blackfaces, Cheviots and Mules, begins inside, around 12th April. Texel cross lambs out of the Mules, plus any surplus others that are not kept as replacements, are finished off home-grown kale, which helps keep ever rising feed costs down. They also grow 150 acres of barley, mostly for their own use, with the rest bruised and sold to a few local farms.
“We select the best of the bull calves for future sales and the rest are kept entire, finished on home-grown barley, with minerals and straw, and sold through ABP at 14/15-months-old, killing out at 400-420kg d/w and achieving U grades. The heifers are mostly kept for replacements, with one or two of the best kept for the Nxt Gen sale, and some sold for breeding or as recipients. “We keep the herd quite young, generally up to eight or nine years old, really for easier maintenance and also because we can get a good cast trade for the older cows,” adds Richard. In fact, a nine-year-old Overhill House cow won the Christmas show and sale at UA Stirling in December, selling for £2100.
Other than rising costs, the other challenge always at the forefront is herd health, which is why they are very particular when it comes to buying in any animals and also when exhibiting at shows, which the herd has enjoyed a fair amount of success at over the years. Some of the highlights, outwith the pre-sale shows, include Curaheen Drifter winning the inter-breed title at Stirling Show and Overhill House Neil securing the junior championship at Stars of the Future. At the Scottish National show at Dumfries last summer, Overhill House Niko, a son of the home-bred Overhill House Enhance, finished up overall male and junior champion and went onto sell for 12,000gns at Stirling in October.
In addition to being a good shop window for the herd, shows and events also provide the chance to mix with and get to know fellow breeders, which has been part of the appeal of the breed for Richard. He feels the breed has hugely improved over the past 10 years or so.
“The Simmental in this country is now a really modern, versatile animal that has the whole package – milk, docility, and conformation. I’ve no doubt that it’s a breed going from strength to strength and that is clear from the increased demand. We’ve seen a massive boost in demand ourselves at sales, and privately, and have a lot of repeat customers coming back, so they must be doing a good job. The society do a brilliant job of promoting the breed too, which definitely makes a difference.
“Farming’s never going to be easy and we’ve had lots of knocks along the way, but when you have a good day, it makes it all worthwhile!” adds Richard.
With a firm eye to the future and the role the Simmental breed has to play, here we feature the Lancashire based Wood family with their high profile 50-cow Popes pedigree herd, and their fresh meat wholesale business, Bowland Foods.
Factfile: Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston
400 acres grassland 150 pedigree Beltex and Texel ewes 50 pedigree Simmental breeding cows plus replacements 2.75 years age at first calving 90% + calves reared 9 to 10 calf crops
Whilst Simmental has a distinguished past, the breed has an even bigger job lined up for the future, says Vikki Wood. “An increasing number of commercial producers are becoming aware that Simmental will introduce more milk and subsequently faster growth to a suckler herd; that’s massive and there’s no other breed which can achieve that.
“In fact, Simmental bred cattle have been proven* to be the most efficient in terms of reduced days to slaughter and reduced finishing costs which can only mean one thing – more profit and in turn, a more efficient and sustainable enterprise with a lower carbon footprint,” she explains. “That’s not all, modern Simmental genetics are leaving easy fleshed cattle producing high quality beef.”
Vikki speaks from experience, not only from farming with her husband, Jimmy and managing the noted Lancashire based Popes pedigree Simmental herd but also sharing with him a combined eight decades of procuring cattle for their fresh meat wholesale business, Bowland Foods. The businesses are very much a family affair, with their son Harry 30 years, and daughter Hannah 26, involved in both.
“We instinctively know which live cattle when hung up will meet will fulfil our customers’ requirements, and Simmental genetics have a role to play.”
Since the Woods established their wholesale meat businesses in 1994, it has grown exponentially to currently employ an 80 strong team weekly sourcing up to 450 cattle, 800 pigs and 1,000 lambs to supply independent butchers shops, catering butchers and other outlets with carcases and a complete range of cuts. Killing is off site, while the family’s Preston based operation is currently expanding its cutting room capacity. “Regardless of the trends towards reduced meat in the diet, demand for quality meat is on the up as far as we’re concerned,” she says.
Turning the clock back to the 1980s, and the Woods were also starting their farming career from scratch with a beef finishing enterprise supplying Bowland Foods.
“We decided we would like to establish a pedigree herd that would offer downtime, one that we could enjoy, and get some pleasure out of.
“As finishers, we’d had experience of most Continental breeds; Simmental became our first choice, it was the breed that was the most affable. Since I was responsible for the farm’s day-to-day management, the Simmental’s quiet temperament was the biggest deciding factor.” The couple established the Popes herd in 1988, and the rest is history.
“We were lucky to get the opportunity to invest in strong female lines at a few dispersal sales,” she explains. “Cloford, Greenside, Misarden, Sterling, Tintoside and Revlex provided some of the foundation genetics with Tintoside Nellys Wonder leaving the biggest influence with up to 50% of the current herd descending from her.
“We’ve since continued to focus on selecting female traits – milk and calving ease supported by EBVs, while our cattle have to demonstrate good locomotion, growth and easy fleshing, something to catch the eye and proven from a good strong cow family. We’ve accelerated genetic progress by introducing some of our leading brood females to a flushing programme.
“We quite simply want to breed the best and make sure we’re able to supply other herds with the right genetics to fit their jigsaw. Bulls sold through the ring or at home go off to do a job in both pedigree and commercial herds, and we currently have three standing at Cogent stud. Females have to be correct to produce the next generation for us and for other pedigree herds,” she says adding: “We’re always looking to renew and refresh the herd’s genetics with a different line.”
The Woods kept their word digging deep last year to invest 32,000gns in Heathbrow Natasha, an 18-month-old maiden heifer. The price tag was a new female breed record. “We’d been following her success in the show ring which culminated in the reserve junior championship at the Great Yorkshire. We considered she had everything we would look for in a female. She was a striking, fleshy well-balanced heifer and full of femininity,” says Jimmy.
To the future, and Simmental is guaranteed to have a firm future at Popes Farm after Hannah invested 9,000gns at the same dispersal in Heathbrow Melody, an in-calf heifer. “I’m establishing my own herd and Melody is my foundation female which I selected for her breeding; she is half-sister to Natasha and I am hoping that she will breed as well as her mother.
“My overall objective is to establish a polled herd,” she says. “The demand for polled cattle is ever increasing due to easier management and welfare issues. I plan to offer animals to supply that growing commercial and pedigree demand.”
“Simmental has proved for over three decades to be a great breed to work, it’s introduced us to a lot of people and we’ve made some good friends located throughout the UK and beyond. While we like to have a nice field of cows, the herd has had a very successful show career and we’ve loved every minute of it.”
Popes has amassed countless red rosettes and ribbons and a glittering array of silverware. Acknowledging its most outstanding accolades and the Woods say top of the league table has to be Stirling where it has headed the junior, intermediate and senior sections before going on to secure the overall championship.
The herd has also lifted the interbreed at both the Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh along with reserve interbreed beef at the Royal, while in 2023 Popes Princess Immie secured both the breed’s English and Scottish National championships. “There’s only one major title we’ve yet to crack and that’s the Royal Highland, and we’re going to give it our best shot,” says Vikki.
*AHDB National Beef Evaluations based on records from over three million animals slaughtered during the last 10 years.
• 95 bulls set new February record average of £7498 (+£238) • 21 bulls sell for 10,000gns and over, with 53 in all at 6000gns and more • 5 Denizes bulls average £17,640 • Broombrae bull sells to Australian buyer • 11 bulls sell to Orkney • Clearance rate of 77% • Bull Sale grosses £712,310
Denzies Nugget 37,000gns
The June 2022 born Denizes Nugget from M A Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, sold for 37,000gns to lead what was another record trade for the Simmental breed at the Stirling Bull Sale held at United Auctions, on Monday 19th February 2024.
No fewer than 21 bulls sold at five-figure prices with 95 in all cashing in at £7498, up £238 on last year’s record mark.
In what was a remarkable day’s trading for them, the eye-catching quality team of five Denizes bulls, all by the homebred stock sire Denizes Hamish, grossed £88,200 to average an incredible £17,640. Denizes Nugget is out of Ashland Topaz Janet, whose maternal sister is the highly-noted Ashland Topaz Lopez. At the pre-sale show, judged by Stuart Barclay of the noted Harestone prefix, Insch, Aberdeenshire, Nugget was one of three Denizes bulls to claim red tickets before moving on to win the day’s Reserve Intermediate Championship.
Come the much-anticipated sale time, and in front of a packed ring, Denizes Nugget reached the 37,000gns mark before being knocked down to Jimmy & Vikki Wood for their high-profile Popes herd at Dutton, Preston, Lancashire. Speaking afterwards Vikki Wood said: “This bull had a bit of everything. When he walked into the ring he just had that presence, character and bounce that caught your eye. He’s a long, clean, well grown bull with plenty of style, who walked well and is not overdone. There’s still plenty for him to grow into and we think he’s a bull with a lot of future in him. With the bull in himself, the depth of proven breeding behind him, and some tremendous performance figures across the board, we’re excited to see how he gels with our females”. The 37,000gns is the top price the Woods have paid to date for a bull at auction in the UK and Vikki went on to say: “The bull has the full package and you have to pay for quality to hopefully take that next step with the herd in breeding top quality females and bulls as well. Nugget will be put to some heifers within the next few weeks and thereafter will be given the chance of some cow.” The Popes herd presently comprises of 60 breeding females.
Over the three days of the sale the Denizes pen of five bulls drew huge attention from both commercial producers and pedigree breeders. Come sale time the 37,000gns top price was accompanied by further prices of 14,000gns; 13,000gns; 12,000gns; and 8000gns to add up to the herd’s most successful sale to date. The top price also eclipsed the herd’s leading sale price of 30,000gns achieved for Denizes Lancelot in February 2022. Speaking afterwards John Barlow said: “The aim of the Denizes herd is to breed first quality bulls with an easy muscling, that have width over the plates, walk well, have good heads and breed character, and are backed up with breeding, figures and health status. We’re trying to tick as many boxes for commercial producers as possible and it was great to see two bulls at 14,000gns and 12,000gns go commercially today. To breed a bull like Denizes Nugget for 37,000gns, and for him to be bought by a top pedigree herd, is just a real bonus on top. We wish the Wood family well with Nugget and really look forward to seeing his progeny in due course.”
Wolfstar Nobleman 17,000gns
Alex and Ross King’s Wolfstar herd from Ormiston, Tranent, East Lothian also enjoyed a top day when selling three bulls to average a fantastic £14,700. Leading the way for them was Wolfstar Nobleman who sold for 17,000gns, the second top price of the day, to Tom Lyth, Heatherhouse, Tankerness, Orkney. May 2022 born, Wolfstar Nobleman, the first prize winner in class six, is an embryo calf sired by Curaheen Bandit and out of the top breeding female Wolfstar Forget-Me-Not whose previous progeny include the 17,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo; Wolfstar Kolisi who sold to Cogent, and the retained stockbull Wolfstar Ivan.
Tom Lyth moved from Lancashire to Orkney some six years ago to ‘follow his dream’ of buying his own farm. At present he has a total of 100 Luing cows which he splits equally between Simmental bulls and purebred Luing bulls. On a recent visit to Wolfstar, he was shown the bulls heading to Stirling and immediately picked out Nobleman as being one to keep an eye on. Commenting he said: “I really liked his breeding but he’s a bonny bull, very well put together, and just the type that I like”. From here Tom hopes to take some semen from Wolfstar Nobleman and with him given some work thereafter. With a pedigree herd being established Tom’s aim is that Nobleman will be joined by some Simmental heifers in the very near future! Orkney buyers again featured prominently throughout the sale with eleven bulls in all heading back to the islands.
Wolfstar Nasa 14,000gns
The Reserve Junior Champion, from the same home, Wolfstar Nasa, made 14,000gns when selling to Pitgaveny Farm, Elgin. Nasa is sired by the privately purchased Islavale Guy and is out of Wolfstar Ivy, another Team Celtic-sired cow. Winner of the last class of the day, this November 2022 born bull will be used across both commercial and pedigree cows with Pitgaveny running 170 Simmental commercial cows, spring and autumn calvers, and ten pedigree females. Speaking of his purchase the herd manager Geoff Anderson said: “I saw this bull at the inspection and watched him again through the judging and just really liked him. He’s a bull with style, depth, and great width to him, has proven breeding on both sides, and carries top figures for milk at +13.”
Building on what has been a strong run of sales and commercial demand for Simmental bulls and females, the sale saw 95 bulls in all sell for £7498 (+£238) and a new breed record average for February Stirling Sales. This latest sale was the seventh in a row at Stirling where the Simmental breed has set a new record average mark and the ongoing commercial momentum in the breed was again warmly welcomed by the Society’s President Norman Robson who said: “There’s an ever-growing recognition of the Simmental breed’s ability to add value, efficiency and profitability to commercial herds and this is what’s continuing to drive the sustained and increasing demand at the point of sale. Prior to this sale we were able to highlight further independently verified figures over some ten years that showed the breed’s percentage advantages in daily carcase gain over both continental, and native sired progeny. Maybe most significantly, whatever the sire, the best performing progeny can be shown to be out of Simmental sired females and this is a further big driver for the breed. Add this in to the Simmental’s abilities at age at slaughter, with significantly reduced finishing costs, and less environmental impact, and it really does add up to money for producers. First quality bulls with width, good tops, were correct on their legs and with good figures, particularly for calving ease and milk, were much in demand and easily sold.”
Denizes Newton 14,000gns
At the same 14,000gns mark was another of the team of five from the Denizes pen and in the shape of the winner of class nine, Denizes Newton. This August 2022 born bull was a powerful Hamish son out of the herd’s noted Trixibelle line which has previously sold bulls up to 20,000gns. With top calving ease figures this bull was bought by commercial producers K Park & Sons, Dalpeddar Farm, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Backmuir Nate 13,000gns
Selling at 13,000gns was the day’s Senior Champion and Reserve Overall, Backmuir Nate, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith. April 2022 born, this bull is by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo, the Overall Champion at Stirling in February 2020, and is out of Backmuir Kreole’s Koala. This upstanding bull, with a +10 figure for Maternal (Milk) was purchased by DC Houldey, Kirkleton House, Waterbeck, Lockerbie. Following the sale Clive Houldey said: “We saw this bull for the first time in the show ring and were really impressed. He has a real size and power about him and that was something we were looking for the herd. The father and son team of Clive and Harry run the Manor Park and Manor Fields pedigree herds respectively and alongside a commercial suckler herd. The intent from here is that Backmuir Nate will be put to work in the middle of June, and he will go on to a mix of pedigree and commercial cows.
Denzies Neff 13,000gns
At the same price of 13,000gns was another from the Denizes pen and this time the June 2022 born Denizes Neff 22 who had stood second in his class to the day’s top priced bull. Again by Denizes Hamish this bull is out of the Blackford Galaxy sired Denizes Melody 32nd, a maternal sister to Denizes Melody 52nd who sold for 10,000gns at the Next Gen III Sale. With strong figures across the board, Denizes Neff 22 was purchased by John Jeffrey for the Kersknowe herd at Kelso, Roxburghshire. Of Neff Mr Jeffrey said: “We thought a lot of this bull and he came out of just a tremendous pen of good bulls with connectivity in the breeding. Neff is a bull with shape but not extreme and had the figures to back his breeding. Denizes Neff 22 will be settled in at Kersknowe before being given some work in June within the herd which comprises of fifty breeding females.”
Kilbride Farm Nebulus 13,000gns
The third bull at the 13,000gns price was the winner of Class 10, Kilbride Farm Nebulus 22 from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. Entirely homebred this September 2022 born bull is by Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 175F (TF) who is a maternal sister to the 20,000gns Kilbride Farm Comber. Continuing the trend of bulls selling that had good figures, Kilbride Farm Nebulus was bought by Delfur Farms, Dundurcas Farm House, Rothes for the Delfur herd of 120 breeding females. Commenting the herd manager Garry Patterson said: “This is a bull to put to heifers in the herd initially and he carries good figures for calving and milk, and generally across the traits. He’s a bull with great length to him, with style and breed character, and is the dark red colour I like. Nebulus comes from a good pedigree, is new blood to the Delfur herd and I think he’s a bull that will click well with the Islavale Magnum daughters in the herd. He’ll run across the heifers first before being given a chance of the cows”. Another good team of Kilbride Farm bulls saw five sell in all to gross a very solid £41,475.
Rockytop Nero 12,000gns
Another herd to enjoy a strong day’s trading was the Rockytop herd of Gary & Angela Christie, Glass, Huntly who sold to a top of 12,000gns and with five in all grossing £38,535. The herd’s top price of 12,000gns came in the shape of Rockytop Nero 22 who stood second in his class to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. May 2022 born, this bull is by Glenturk Kingpin 19 and is out of the Kilbride Farm Arklow daughter Rockytop Corissa’s Honey. With a +10 figure for Maternal (Milk), this bull was purchased by Mr B Grant for the Dellfield herd at Druid Temple Farm, Inverness-shire. Speaking after the sale Stuart Grant said: “We hadn’t planned on buying a bull but will need one next year and when we saw Rockytop Nero we just really liked him. He’s a bull that’s very correct on his legs, he’s square, solid and not too extreme in anyway, and just has a bit of everything in him that we like We run 160 cows, of which around 50 are pure, so he will be used on them for a start and likely on the commercial cows at a forward time.”
Denzies Nacho 12,000gns
Next up at 12,000gns was the first prize winner in Class Eight, Denizes Nacho 22 from the Barlows. July 2022 born, this thick ended bull with shape, width, and strong figures went to commercial buyers JL Drysdale, Forestmill Farm, Alloa, Clackmannan. This calf, whose brother sold for 12,000gns at the corresponding sale last year, is out of Annick Trixibelle 19th.
Corskie Nitrate 12,000gns
From another strong line up, two bulls from the Corskie herd of WJ&J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, topped at 12,000gns. The first of these was Corskie Nitrate who had stood second in his class. By the 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Haka, this September 2022 born bull is out of Corskie Kigem, an Auchorachan Farmer 14 daughter. With one of the highest Maternal (Milk) figures in the catalogue at +13, this bull also went commercially when selling to T Clark & Sons, Abbey Farm, Madderty, Crieff. At the same mark of 12,000gns was the September 2022 born Corskie Newry (22) who was purchased by Jim & Patricia Goldie for their Newbiemains herd at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. Also by Kilbride Farm Haka, Corskie Newry 22 is out of Tawley Hanna who has previously had sons sell to 7000gns. Commenting, Jim Goldie said: “We were looking for a stylish, young, well grown bull, that was correct with plenty of breed character, and felt Corskie Newry really matched up to that. He’s got plenty of breeding behind him and being out of an Irish bred cow it’s also a bit of a different blood line”. Plans from here are that the bull will be run with up to 25 heifers in the Springtime. Eight Corskie bulls grossed £67,515 with other prices including 8000gns; 7800gns; 7000gns x 2; 6000gns; and 4500gns.
Corskie Newry 12,000gnsSaltire Nemesis 11,500gns
Saltire Nemesis 22 from J&G Houliston, Drem, North Berwick made 11,500gns when selling commercially to AG Whiteford, South Keithney, Burnhervie, Aberdeenshire. May 2022 born this bull, by the prolific AI sire Saltire Impressive, is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Saltire Felicity. Later in the sale the Houlistons also sold Saltire Nobleman, a Saltire Logan 20 son, for 7500gns to Douganhill Farms, Castle Douglas.
Kersknowe Noah 11,000gns
The long established Kersknowe Simmental herd of Mr J Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire made 11,000gns of their senior bull Kersknowe Noah 22. April 2022 born Kersknowe Noah stood third in his class won by the Overall Reserve Champion. Sired by the Woodhall Ferrari son Aultmore Jasper 18, and out of Kersknowe Head Girl, this was another five figure bull to go to a commercial producer when knocked down to Aucheneck Estates, Lillearn, By Glasgow.
Kilbride Farm Nugget 11,000gns
Another from the Robson family, this time Kilbride Farm Nugget 22 (P) (TF), made 11,000gns when going for commercial use to S McClymont & Son, Yarrow, Selkirk. This August 2022 born bull offered a new bloodline being the first son at sale by the herd’s imported homozygous polled stock bull, Flop Agrochyt, and out of Kilbride Farm Dora 88 IP (P), a Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) daughter. WH Robson & Sons sold five bulls in all at the sale with their top prices of 13,000gns and 11,000gns being joined by others at 7500gns; 4800gns; and 3200gns.
Broombrae Noble 11,000gns
Bringing an international flavour to the sale the August 2022 born Broombrae Noble N12 22 (P) from Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, made 11,000gns when selling to Australian Simmental breeder Knox Farms Pty Ltd, New South Wales. Another bull with strong performance figures, Broombrae Noble N12 22 (P) is by Wolfstar Kolisi 19 (P) and is out of Broombrae Rosina K8.
Wolfstar Nonu 11,000gns
Continuing their top day the Wolfstar herd sold the April 2022 born Wolfstar Nonu 22 for 11,000gns. This April 2022 born bull is one of the first sons to be offered at sale by Glenturk Lord of the Rings described as ‘the easiest calving bull we’ve had at Wolfstar’. Nonu is out of Wolfstar Kiwi who is a full sister to the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo. With a +11 figure for Maternal (Milk) Wolfstar Nonu 22 was bought by commercial producer G&A Milne, Standingstones, Durris, Kincardineshire. Wolfstar’s three bulls sold on the day made 17,000gns; 14,000gns; and 11,000gns.
Newbiemains Neymar 11,000gns
The final bull at 11,000gns was Newbiemains Neymar 22 from Jim & Patricia Goldie, Nebie Mains Farm Annan. Sired by Annick Klondyke 19 EX94 and out of Newbiemains Klass Act VG88, a Moorglen Hillbilly EX91 daughter, this bull was sold to the Borders and IHG Warden, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Ballinalare Farm Navigator 10,000gns
Taking the total to twenty one bulls at five figures, four bulls made 10,000gns. The first of these was Ballinalare Farm Navigator from Mr J & Mr A Wilson, Ballinalare Farm, Dorans Hill Newry. Sired by the popular AI sire Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15, and out of the Omorga Murray daughter Ballinalare Farm Delta, this July 2022 born bull stood second in his class. With a Maternal (Milk) figure of + 10, Ballinalare Farm Navigator 22 was sold to another noted commercial producer in the shape of Philiphaugh Estates, Old Mill farm, Selkirk.
Overhill House Nikey 10,000gns
The day’s Intermediate and Overall Supreme Champion was the winner of Class Five, Overhill House Nikey 22 from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. In what has been a truly remarkable run, Overhill House have won the Supreme Championship at the last four Simmental Society Sales at which they have attended. Their Champion here was another son of the 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman, who bred the herd’s 46,000gns Overhill House Neo sold in October at Stirling last year and is out of Overhill House Ice Cone. Purchasing the Champion bull was Jim & Elizabeth Dyet for his Merkland herd at East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Commenting Jim said: “Overhill House Nikey is just a tremendous Simmental bull and we’re delighted to have got him for our Merkland pedigree herd. We immediately picked him out at the show on Sunday in his class but when he was placed Champion we thought we might not be able to get him. He’s a bull with serious length and one of the best top lines that I’ve seen in a long time. A bull with a natural power to him, he’s got shape, terrific conformation, and is very breedy. We think, and very much hope, that he’ll click with the type of females we have here at East Merkland. He’ll get settled in and given the chance of one or two before being put to the very best 25-30 of our cows from June onwards”. The Merkland herd comprises of ninety breeding females in all.
Islavale Novak 10,000gns
Taking the Junior Championship and selling for 10,000gns was the winner of Class 12, Islavale Novak from the prolific herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banffshire. This stylish October 2022 born bull came to Stirling with a bit of a show record behind him having been Senior Male Champion at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show. With breeding behind him, Novak is by Coose Lincoln EX90 whose sons sold at Stirling have averaged 11,000gns, and is out of the Curaheen Giant daughter Islavale Jazz. Buying this bull was Thomas Gray, Balquharrage, Lennoxtown. Bringing a team of predominantly junior bulls this year, the Islavale herd sold seven in all to gross £50,925 and average £7275.
Springfield Neptune 10,000gns
The final bull at the 10,000gns mark was Springfield Neptune from Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik. April 2022 born this bull is by the herd’s noted sire Islavale Jabba, who was the online European Simmental Champion 2023, and is out of Springfield ivory a half sister to Springfield Minstrel who was sold for 6800gns to the Popes herd. At the Simmental Youngstock Show at Borderway Agri Expo in2023, Springfield Neptune had stood as Senior Champion and Reserve Overall Champion. Purchasing him here, and another to Orkney, was J&R Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick. Springfield Neptune had stood second in his class to his teammate Springfield Niagra who, two lots later, sold for 8500gns to H MacDonald, Mains of Dalvey, Morayshire. Niagra, also by Islavale Jabba and this time out of Springfield Italia, was second in his class to Springfield Neptune at the aforementioned 2023 Simmental Youngstock Show.
Habton Nev 9,000gns
Selling for the first time at Stirling was Alex Bulmer from Coultas Farm, Malton, North Yorkshire who made 9,000gns for the second bull in the ring Habton Nev 22. This February 2022 born bull is by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Backmuir Kraken and is out of Corskie Kelly, a Drumagarner Hughes daughter. Another heading to the islands he was bought by GT&S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney.
*In a small sale of four Simmental females the top price was 2300gns paid for Fallhills Nikki (P) from Bruce Lambie, Howgate, Penicuik. April 2022 born this heifer is by Wolfstar Just Do It 18 (P), and is out of Fallhills Kate (TF), an Islavale Gallant 2 15 daughter. Fallhills Nikki (P) was another purchase by Australian Simmental breeder Knox Farms Pty Ltd, Crookwell, New South Wales.
OTHER LEADING BULL PRICES INCLUDED: 8,500gns Lot 21 Springfield Niagara sold to H Macdonald, Mains of Dalvey, Advie, Morayshire 8,000gns Lot 77 Rockytop Napoleon sold to R Garden, Culfosie, Aberdeenshire 8,000gns Lot 78 Denizes Nero sold to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Orkeny 8,000gns Lot 126 Islavale Norton sold to JR & JA Barron, Findowrie, Brechin, Angus 8,000gns Lot 132 Corskie Nerve sold to C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 8,000gns Lot 161 Braegarrie Nightrider sold to A & W Barrowman, Mid Knockglass Farm, Stranraer
AVERAGE: 95 Bulls £7948 (+£238)
Overall Championship – Stirling Bull Sales February 2024
It has been a variable and challenging year for all our members, and we have seen a change round on the committee. Mark Sallis and David Savins stepped down from their roles as Chairman and Vice Chairman, which has been taken on by Josh Evans and me. We have amalgamated the secretary and treasurer’s role, which Clare Price will continue with. John Fellowes has been the treasurer for many years and has done a sterling job of keeping the finances in order and offering priceless advice and wisdom, whilst serving on the committee. All the club members would like to thank them all for their efforts for the Centre West Club. Chairman – Richard Price Vice Chairman – Josh Evans Treasurer / Secretary – Clare Price
In 2023, we have organised a number of events which include a club meeting, farm walk, annual herd competition and a post Christmas dinner. The club met at the Halford Inn in Warwickshire to discuss options and ideas for the future of the club. Like a number of societies and organisations, attracting new members is a challenge, but we have managed to bring in some fresh faces this year. With Josh Evans as Vice-Chairperson, we hope to be able to attract a number of his fellow young farmers, which is an organisation that he has been heavily involved with. A number of actions were agreed, and we aim to build on these over the next twelve months. We welcome our new members which will help us move forward positively.
Visit to Daylesford Organics
On the 20th of October we visited Daylesford Organics courtesy of Lord and Lady Bamford. The Farms Director Richard Smith gave us an in-depth tour and overview of this incredible business. We were also extremely fortunate to see behind the scenes of how the business works and what they are aiming to achieve over the coming years.
Visit to Daylesford Organics
Our herd competition was judged by Mr Chris Williams of Clinwill. A keen Hereford breeder for many years, with a wealth of knowledge of livestock and herd health. Chris visited the seven herds that had entered all categories, which he said would not be easy! His observations were regarding the passion and dedication to the Simmental breed and how he was impressed with the innovative ideas that people were exploring to create profitability for the long term.
Chris Willams speaking after the meal and highlighting the necessity of the basics of nutrition and knowing your herd health status.
Herd Competition Results
Clare Price winning Small Herd with Whalegreen Simmentals
Small Herd 1st Clare Price ‘Whalegreen Simmentals’ 2nd David Bush ‘Chapman‘ 3rd Jenny Lewis ‘Biddlesden‘ and Judith Cockerill ‘Farnborough’
Richard Bowley winning Large Herd with Bowley Simmentals
Large Herd 1st C.M. Mercer ‘Bowley’ 2nd James Shouler ‘Alchester’ 3rd C.H. Evans and Son ‘Wroxall’
Best Cow Family ‘Wroxall’ C.H.Evans and Son
Best Stock Bull ‘Farnborough’ Judith Cockerill
Best Group of Maiden Heifers ‘Bowley’ C.M. Mercer
Best Group of In-Calf Heifers ‘Alchester’ James Shouler
Best calf at foot Born 2023 ‘Bowley’ C.M. Mercer
Judges Special Award ‘Wroxall’ For the family’s vision within the new regime of their business. Overseas sales and a general drive and ambition to move the breed forward.
The Centre West Club has a number of ideas for the membership for 2024 and we look forward to catching up soon!
It’s great to report that 2023 was a busy and successful year for the East Anglian Simmental group. With member numbers continuing to increase, and being at a record high, it is definitely a club that is thriving. With a great mix of youth and experience hopefully this will continue into the future.
It has been another fantastic year for animals from across the region with herds from the club supporting several shows and sales this year.
Judge John Barlow with Sally Liverton, Simon Key and Champion Bull Hollybrook Maximum and Key Marvel at the Melton Mowbray Multi-breed Pedigree Sale.
The first significant achievement was at the Melton Mowbray multi-breed Show and Sale. We are proud to say that four herds from our club made the trip to support the sale and it was Hollybrook Maximum from Chris and Zara Curson who claimed breed champion, with Key Marvel from Simon Key taking reserve champion. Hollybrook Maximum also went on to claim reserve interbreed champion and sold for the top price of 3,900gns. Although with only a small selection of Simmental’s on offer at this fledgling show and sale we hope that with such success we will see a growth in numbers in years to come.
Hemingford Nelson
The biggest success goes to our new club members James and Rachel Griffin of the Hemingford Herd with their March 2022 born bull Hemingford Nelson. Not only did he claim first place in his class at Stirling in October, he went on to secure Reserve Senior champion and sold to the renowned Auchorachan herd for 11,000gns. We want to say a massive congratulations to James and Rachel and hope your success continues in the coming year.
Moving into the show season and our very own Simon Key kicked had the huge privilege of judging at the Royal Highland Show. What an honour it was for him to judge at such a prestigious show, and we at the club are very proud of him.
Again members from the East Anglian region were very successful at both nationwide and local shows with breeders bringing home rosettes and sashes from near and far.
Sam Steggles of the Wacton Herd with Denizes Eve’s Beauty & Holly Lutkin with Fircovert Neptune, Taking first place with the pairs at the Suffolk show.
The Suffolk show saw the return of the Wacton herd to the show circuit, and it was Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th bred by the Barlow family who claimed breed champion for Sam Steggles, with Heathbrow Jasmine taking reserve breed champion for D.A and L.A Sapsed. Sam and his team went on to do well this season at further shows and also claimed the Imex Plate at the English National show.
This year would turn out to be David and Lesley Sapsed’s last year on the show circuit after numerous years of supporting the agricultural shows. In a career that has seen them take many titles and also interbreed titles, they will be a big miss at future shows and we wish them all the best in the future.
Royal Norfolk
Without doubt the highlight of the year was hosting the Simmental English National at the Royal Norfolk show. The show was supported and attended brilliantly and with fantastic numbers of almost 60 Simmental’s entered, the competition in many classes was fierce. Club secretary Zara Curson said it was an absolute honour to be a part of the organising team for this event and with the help of others, it was never in doubt that the show would be successful. We would like to again thank our judge John Moore of the Omorga herd, and our generous sponsors, exhibitors and those who travelled from all over the U.K to help make the show a roaring success.
Our overall champion went to the Woods family for Popes Princess Immie. Sterling Celia’s Fifi jointly owned by Paul & Sharrie Cade, Jimmy McMillan and Simon Key won overall reserve champion. Popes also lifted the Junior Championship with Popes Princess Noor with Cade Nugget claiming Reserve Junior Champion.
Cade Nugget owned by Chris & Zara Curson was shown by up and coming young handler Erin Cade who’s family bred Nugget. Erin at only 14 years of age halter broke the February 2022 born bull so it only seemed right that she put him through his paces at the English National, and they didn’t disappoint with them not only taking Male Champion but also Continental Interbreed Champion too.
On the second day of the show it was the young handlers who took centre stage and with a good turnout it was great to see the breed is in good hands for the future. A massive congratulations to everyone who was involved but in particular to Finlay Soutter who went on to win the prestigious Overall Championship for young handlers and was presented with his prize by William, the Prince of Wales!!
With the national show heading back to the Norfolk show again this year we will be looking to make it bigger and better for 2024!!
The Aylsham show concluded the showing season in East Anglia and it was Theberton Joanne who took champion for Mr and Mrs L. J. Dowley, with reserve going to Fircovert Lizbet, from Paul & Linda Gunther.
The Great Yorkshire show didn’t disappoint for Paul & Linda Gunther, Andrew & Hayley Clarke and Sam Steggles making the trip north and all placing well within their classes. Andrew & Hayley also featured in the winning Junior Interbreed Group!
Young handler Bella Markham at the Suffolk Show
Cade Simmental’s made the trip this year to the Agri Expo in Carlisle in October and their 2022 born heifer Cade Fifi’s Nala, placed 3rd in her class and with 2023 born Cade Kathleen’s Prada, 4th in her class. The Cades very much held their own against some very stiff competition in large classes. Also daughter Erin came 3rd in her young handlers class with Bella Markham claiming 1st in her young handlers class.
Young handler Erin CadeContinental ChampioYoung Handler Chloe Cade at The Suffolk Show
It has been fantastic to see so many breeders from our region supporting shows and sales across the country and returning home with such tremendous results. It shows that we are producing some great quality cattle in our area.
In September we had our annual herd competition take place with Phillida Hurn judging from the noted Twyford herd. With herds continuing to increase and therefore the time taken to organise and carry this out, our extended thanks and gratitude go to Phillida and her stockman Paul Monaghan, who accompanied her, for taking the time to judge. Phillida was very complimentary about the standard of cattle and had a very difficult job to decide the placing’s in the various categories.
East Anglian Club’s herd walk & herd competition results event was very well attended and hosted by the Brice family
At the start of the year our aim as a club was to do a herd visit as this hadn’t happened in a while so in November we organised a farm visit to our Rendham herd which was well attended. It was great to have a catch up whilst walking amongst the cattle and hearing what people thought. The visit also coincided with Phillida announcing the herd competition results and doing the presentations.
Herd Competition Judge Phillida Hurn presenting rosettes at the Herd competition results day
We rounded off the year with our annual Christmas dinner which was well attended by members, and we now look forward to what the New Year has in store for our club.
East Anglia herd competition results 2023 are below.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement
1 year
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
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.
Recent Comments