SUCCESSFUL SIMMENTAL COMMERCIAL OPEN DAY AT TREFAIR FARM, ST EVAL, CORNWALL

SUCCESSFUL SIMMENTAL COMMERCIAL OPEN DAY AT TREFAIR FARM, ST EVAL, CORNWALL

by | Aug 23, 2023 | 2023 Cornwall News, 2023, 2023 News

The Cornwall Simmental Club Commercial Open Day, kindly hosted by Ian and Sandra Backway & Family based at Trerair Farm, St Eval, saw a good turnout allied to some top cattle on Sunday 13th August.

The Backways farm over one hundred and forty hectares and which borders the redundant R.A.F. St Eval airfield. The land is 92m above sea level and exposed to the north coast with Trevose Head just 2.6 kms away.

Their fifty suckler cows also include ten pedigree Longhorns. Two pedigree Simmental bulls, Killiworgie Iceman (Kilbride Farm Comber) and Crowgey Las Vegas (Corrick Harrison) run with the commercials while their Longhorn bull Blackbrook F1 is used on the pedigree cows and all the heifers. Currently eighty home-bred and purchased suckled calves, will be sold as stores through Truro and Hallworthy livestock markets at fifteen to eighteen months. One hundred and fifty Texel ewes complete their livestock numbers.

Ian and Sandra started their suckler herd by buying dairy x beef heifers calves out of Truro market and started crossing them with the best pedigree beef bulls they could afford. After trying various breeds, they settled on Simmentals because of their temperament, and with them growing their spring born calves so well on grass alone. Most of their cows are pure bred.

The calves are weaned in late October and housed until April when herd replacements to calve at three are selected. The retained heifers and mature cattle are outwintered and cope with all the might of the Atlantic gales sheltered by the thick Cornish hedges. Calving starts in March outdoors and since using the pedigree Longhorn bulls on first time mothers over fifty have calved unaided.

Ten hectares of spring barley are grown for cattle feed. A further twenty hectares produces a mixture of vegetables to supply three wholesalers and their farm shop with brassicas, swedes, and potatoes. The family grow all their own plant and cut six days a week for eleven months of the year to fulfil their orders!!

After the farm tour the visitors were treated to a proper “Cornish Cakey Tea” where a packed table of home-made refreshments drew gasps of awe from the children present.

The afternoon concluded with a presentation by Martyn Tripp on Mighty-Min organically stabilised essential trace mineral supplements. Sold successfully throughout the whole of Australia for more than twenty years the company is expanding its manufacturing and marketing operations into the UK. Working with Cornish members of the family, Cornish Liquid Minerals was launched two years ago and covers the southwest of England. Using the unique “Floater Doser”, mineral supplements are dispensed into animals drinking water troughs.

The Cornwall Simmental Club Chairman Barrie Wynter gave a vote of thanks and presented Ian and Sandra with gifts as a mark of appreciation for all their hard work to make the afternoon a great success.

STOP PRESS

The stores photographed sold very well. Steers topped at £1555 for a pair of 16 months old at Hallworthy on 17th August. The twenty-seven steers all averaged £1420, all 15-18 months. Five heifers averaged £1225, 16-18 months old at Truro Livestock Market 16th August. Top price at both markets.

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD VALE ROYAL ANNIE WINS 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD VALE ROYAL ANNIE WINS 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW

by | Aug 22, 2023 | 2023 North West News, 2023, 2023 News

• Eleven-year-old cow wins the Supreme Championship
• Kilbride Farm Jetstream is Overall Reserve
• 2023 competition sees 431 entries over six classes

After some six weeks of online judging through July and August, and with 431 animals entered from 81 pedigree breeders all over the United Kingdom, the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show Championship has been won by the eleven-year-old cow Vale Royal Annie from James Arnold, Tarporley, Cheshire. Mr Arnold has now won this fledgling but high-profile competition, the UK’s largest online pedigree show, twice in its four-year history having won the inaugural event with Vale Royal Heavenly Girlie in 2020.

The Simmental Virtual Show was started as a ‘bit of fun’ during Covid lockdown but its popularity has seen it grow into one of the most anticipated and highlight Simmental show events of the year. This year’s event has seen 431 animals entered over the six classes, up by 145 on last year.

Vale Royal Annie initially prevailed from a tremendous class of 92 Cows-in-milk, judged by Bridget Olds of the Bosahan herd, Falmouth, Cornwall, before securing the Female Championship from the section judge John Barlow of the Denizes herd, Nr Leyland, Lancs. In the Supreme Championship, judged by David Lowry of the noted Keeldrum Herd, Newsteadings Farm, Lanark, she went head-to-head with the Male Champion Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare, before duly being announced as the winner.

Commenting, David Lowry said: Vale Royal Annie is just a tremendous example of the Simmental breed. She’s eleven-years-old and in the picture she just retains such a freshness, and is full of breed character and femininity. Annie has an excellent top line on her, lovely balanced body, a tremendous udder for her age and looks to be standing on a good set of legs. With nine calves to her name she’s also a terrific example of the longevity that is typical of Simmental females and I think she’s a very worthy Supreme Champion.”

2018 born, the Male Champion and Reserve Overall, Kilbride Farm Jetstream is by the homozygous polled bull Sneumgaard Imperator (PP), and is out of Kilbride Farm Dora 70F from one of the herd’s noted cow families. Kilbride Farm Jetstream won the fifth class of this year’s show and which comprised of a hugh quality entry of 26 Senior Simmental Bulls judged by Alan Wilson of the Bannhill herd, Dorans Hill, Newry. Moving into the Championships, Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) was awarded the Male Championship by the section judge Stewart Stronach of the Islavale herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith.

Of the Overall Reserve, David Lowry said: “Again, this is a terrific Simmental bull. He’s just about five-years-old and is extremely smart. He shows plenty of breed character with a good head, has lovely fleshing with excellent muscling, and appears to be standing on a good set of legs. Correct and square over the plates this is a very modern type Simmental bull and who has come through some very strong classes.”

For a delighted James Arnold, the Supreme Championship win was also a poignant one as Annie’s mum Curaheen Annie was bought as an 8-month-old heifer on his last trip away with his father (Hugo Arnold of the noted Hockenhull herd). After the Championship news was announced, James Arnold said: “It feels amazing to have won this competition and for a second time. The Simmental Virtual Show is great fun but the standard of entries this year has been really top drawer. I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors who’ve put on a fantastic promotion of the quality and potential in the Simmental breed.”

Continuing he said, “Vale Royal Annie is an incredible cow. She’s bred to every bull she’s been put to and has produced nine calves. All bar one of her five bull calves have gone to pedigree breeders and with arguably the best of the lot going to a commercial producer. We sell them young due to our set up and in one instance she bred a £10,000 bull sold to the Crowgey herd at 11-month-sold. Her latest bull calf Vale Royal North Star was sold to the Bailey family’s noted Mixbury Hall herd in Northamptonshire this year.

“Annie has been amazing for us. She’s so low maintenance, gets in calf easily and first time, is so sound and just very feminine. I think this year at eleven-years-old she’s looking as well as she ever has done, and she’s back in calf to Curaheen Wakeman. There’s been many offers to buy her over the years but Annie’s part of the furniture and definitely not for sale!”

In the four years of the event the Simmental Virtual Show has seen in excess of an incredible 2200 pedigree Simmentals entered. With the return of live summer showing the number of Virtual Show classes has been refined but the interest in the event continues to grow. Commenting the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “A massive well done to the Championship winners and to all of the Simmental breeders who have entered this year and put on another fantastic Simmental show case. We can see that live showing is becoming more challenging and recognise the forward potential in this event. As such we’ll keep providing the platform for breeders large and small, in all geographies, to take part easily and showcase their Simmental stock. The social media numbers watching the show are remarkable and the audience extends well beyond the UK to cattle lovers from all round the globe which is great to see.”

To see the class winners and all of the entries in this year’s 2023 Simmental Virtual Show then please visit the Society’s Facebook page, and also go to www.britishsimmental.co.uk.

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD VALE ROYAL ANNIE WINS 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW

THE 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW SUPREME CHAMPION IS…VALE ROYAL ANNIE!!

by | Aug 21, 2023 | 2023 Virtual Show Results

Eleven-year-old cow wins the Supreme Championship
Kilbride Farm Jetstream is Overall Reserve
2023 competition saw 431 entries over six classes

After some six weeks of online judging with a remarkable 431 animals entered from breeders all over the United Kingdom, we have our 2023 Simmental Virtual Show Champion in the shape of the eleven-year-old cow Vale Royal Annie! It’s a massive tip of the cap to Annie’s breeder James Arnold, Tarporley, Cheshire who has now won this fledgling but high-profile competition, the UK’s largest online pedigree show, twice in its four-year history.

Vale Royal Annie initially prevailed from a tremendous class of 92 Cows-in-milk, judged by Bridget Olds of the Bosahan herd, Falmouth, Cornwall, before securing the Female Championship from the section judge John Barlow of the Denizes herd, Nr Leyland, Lancs. Going head-to-head with Kilbride Farm Jetstream.

We were absolutely delighted to have David Lowry of the Keeldrum herd, Newsteadings Farm, Lanark as this year’s Supreme Championship judge. Please see the video below where David outlines his thoughts on his Champion animals, and on this year’s show generally.

So, to the winner and hot off the press we contacted James Arnold this afternoon to let him know of this Championship win and he said: “I’m absolutely delighted and more than a little surprised to win this competition. The Simmental Virtual Show is great fun but the standard of entries this year has been really incredible. I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors who’ve put on a fantastic promotion of the quality and potential in the Simmental breed.”

“It’s again a poignant win as Annie’s mum Curaheen Annie was bought on my last trip away with my dad (Hugo Arnold of the noted Hockenhull herd). We couldn’t buy the cow I wanted from David Wall but dad spied Curaheen Annie at 8-month-old. Roll on and she went on to produce Vale Royal Annie.”
“Vale Royal Annie is an incredible cow. She’s bred to every bull she’s been put to. All bar one of her bull calves have gone to pedigree breeders and with arguably the best of the lot going to a commercial producer. We sell them young due to our set up and in one instance she bred a £10,000 bull sold to the Crowgey herd at 11-month-sold. Her latest bull calf Vale Royal North Star was sold to the Bailey family’s Mixbury Hall herd, Northants this year.”

“Annie has been amazing for us. She’s so low maintenance, gets in calf easily and first time, is so sound and just very feminine. I think this year at -eleven-years-old she’s looking as well as she ever has done, and she’s back in calf to Curaheen Wakeman. There’s been many offers to buy her over the years but Annie’s part of the furniture and definitely not for sale!”

This brings to an end the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show, the online competition that just keeps on giving. The Virtual Show started as a bit of fun during lockdown and is now growing into one of the most anticipated and highlight events of the year. As live showing becomes more challenging, we recognise the forward potential in this event and will keep providing the platform for breeders large and small, in all geographies, to take part easily and showcase their Simmental stock. The social media numbers watching the show are incredible and the audience extends well beyond the UK to cattle lovers from all round the globe.

To everyone who has taken part in this year’s competition a massive thank you is extended, it is hugely appreciated, and we very much hope you’ve enjoyed the Simmental cattle and the fun of the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show!

KILBRIDE FARM JETSTREAM (P) WINS THE 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW MALE CHAMPIONSHIP!

KILBRIDE FARM JETSTREAM (P) WINS THE 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW MALE CHAMPIONSHIP!

by | Aug 21, 2023 | 2023 Virtual Show Results

It’s the turn of the bulls now and in the second of our ‘big Championship reveals’, it’s a huge congratulations to WH Robson & Sons, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, who have won the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show Male Championship with Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P)!!

2018 born, Jetstream is by the homozygous polled bull Sneumgaard Imperator (PP), and is out of Kilbride Farm Dora 70F from one of the herd’s noted cow families. Kilbride Farm Jetstream won the fifth class of this year’s show and which comprised of a high quality entry of 26 Senior Simmental Bulls and was judged by Alan Wilson of the Bannhill herd, Dorans Hill, Newry. Moving into the Championships, Kilbride Farm Jetstream went up against the October 20022 born stablemate Kilbride Farm Norton (P), and the April 2022 born Auchorachan Neptune from D&R Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch the winners of class one, and class three respectively.

Casting his eye over the class winners and awarding the Male Championship was the judge and BSCS Chairman of Shows & Sales North, Stewart Stronach of the Islavale herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith. Commenting on his Champion Stewart Stronach said: “After a lot of deliberation I’ve chosen Kilbride Farm Jetstream. Again, it was a very high standard and your opinions might be different if you’re judging in the flesh. However from the pictures I felt that Jetstream was a bull showing plenty of length, had good muscle, was correct and square over the plates, and had a lot of breed character.

The two other class winners in the Championship were also terrific bulls, and are further great examples of what the modern Simmental is all about and looks like.”

Of the male classes, that featured 155 bulls across three classes, and the Virtual Show generally Stewart Stronach went on to say: The 2023 Simmental Virtual Show has been another tremendous success with an amazing amount of entries from around the country and featuring a lot of top quality Simmental cattle. It’s a big well done to all of the winners and to everyone who entered, the show continues to be a terrific event to promote and advertise our great Simmental breed.”

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD VALE ROYAL ANNIE WINS 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW

VALE ROYAL ANNIE WINS THE FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 2023 SIMMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOW!

by | Aug 21, 2023 | 2023 Virtual Show Results

Today’s the day and we have the first of the three ‘big Championship reveals’ of the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show. It’s a massive well done to James Arnold, Tarporley, Cheshire who has won this years’ Female Championship with his eleven-year-old cow VALE ROYAL ANNIE!

February 2012 born, Vale Royal Annie is by Hockenhull Matthew and is out of Curaheen Annie, a Carnkern Titan daughter. To date, Annie has had nine registered calves to her comprising of five heifer calves, and four bull calves.

Vale Royal Annie initially prevailed from a tremendous class of 92 Cows-in-milk, judged by Bridget Olds of the Bosahan herd, Falmouth, Cornwall. In the Female Championship she went up against two heifers from the Corskie herd of WJ & J Green, Garmouth, Fochabers in the shape of the October 2022 Corskie Naitrin, and the September 2021 born Corskie Minette, the winners of Class Two and Four respectively. Giving her the Female Championship nod was the judge, and the BSCS Chairman of Shows & Sales South, John Barlow of the Denizes herd, Nr Leyland, Lancs.

Commenting on his Female Champion, John Barlow said: “This is just a tremendous Simmental cow. She’s eleven-years-old and in the picture she just retains such a freshness, is full of breed character and femininity, has a great udder, and structurally looks so correct and sound. With nine calves to her name she’s a terrific example of the longevity that is pretty typical of Simmental females. All of these characteristics just gave her the edge over what was two quality heifers from the Corskie herd.”

Of the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show of females generally, John went on to say: “The appeal of this competition to breeders is fantastic and well done to everyone who entered and had a go. There were 276 females across the three classes which is remarkable in itself and the quality bar has been very high. The core of the Simmental herdbook looks to be in top order and you can see from these pictures the breeding potential and the bloodlines producing animals for forward sales.”