by Nicky Moreton | Mar 9, 2026 | 2026 Midlands News
In results released for the 2025 competition, the Blackpool herd lifted a series of awards and which included: Overall Herd Winners; Medium Herd Winners; Best Cow Family; Best Maiden Heifers; and Best In-Calf Heifers. A tremendous performance amidst some strong competition.
Commenting on the Blackpool Simmental cattle, the Midlands Simmental herd competition judge, Dafydd Jones of the noted Banwy herd, Maesllmystyn, Foel, Welshpool, said: “The Blackpool herd was just very consistent with quality from the calves, through the heifers, and all the way into the cows. Some tremendous Simmental cattle with a great temperament, and a credit to David and Christine. It was pleasure to judge the Midlands Simmental Herd competition and the standard was really high. The Simmental breed in the Midlands region is in very good shape.”
The Blackpool herd of Simmentals was established in 2007 and presently comprises of 25 cows.
Results of the 2025 Midlands Simmental herd Competition:
Small Herd
1 – Storersmith
2 – Forsdale
3 – Ashes & Fishpool (equal)
Medium Herd
1 – Blackpool
2 – Star Green
3 – Harrop
Large Herd
1 – Wroxall
Overall Herd
1 – Blackpool
2 – Star Green
Cow family
1 – Blackpool (Hosanna)
2 – Star Green (Dappy)
3 – Forsdale (Anemone)
Stockbull
1 – Storersmith (Storersmith Navarone)
2 – Forsdale (Wroxall Nescafe)
3 – Wroxall (Coose Pat)
Maiden Heifers
1 – Blackpool
2 – Storersmith
3 – Wroxall
In-calf heifers
1 – Blackpool
2 – Storersmith
3 – Star Green
Best calf 2025
1 – Stargreen Sally
2 – Wroxall Scarlett Zilla
3 – Blackpool Samantha
by Nicky Moreton | Mar 1, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Midlands News, 2026 News
The Smith family have ensured their suckler finishing enterprise is future proofed with purebred Simmentals at the heart of their Herefordshire based mixed farming business.
“Simmentals are playing a significant role – they fit our circular system being well suited to maximising our resources – permanent pasture, straw and potatoes,” Bill explains. “The herd also fits in with the unit’s arable workload and equally important, it is delivering essential profit.
Fact file
Bill Smith, Leominster, Herefordshire: farming in partnership with his wife, Nicky and son, Jack
500ha arable
100ha grassland
150 commercial Simmental breeding females
“The herd additionally provides job satisfaction; we enjoy a non-profitable summer evening looking around the cows and consider just how lucky we are,” he says.
“However, the breed’s future on this unit is over to pedigree breeders, they need to keep maintaining the Simmental’s dual-purpose balance – maintaining milkiness and with no expense to growth. And while the sector has to focus on production efficiency to achieve affordable beef, it must not lose sight of taste.”
The Smith’s breeding strategy for the last quarter of a century has specifically featured females with good temperament, ones that thrive off forage-based diets and are capable of leaving progeny that demonstrate real performance efficiency.
“The majority of the herd calves with minimal intervention within the first two cycles from March onwards,” he explains. Cows and calves are turned out shortly afterwards on to land around the farm that’s only regarded as suitable for grazing – permanent pasture, historic parkland and areas prone to flooding. Calves are weaned and housed at an average seven months with bulls averaging 380kg and heifers 330kg.
Bulls are on target to achieve an overall 1.5kg DLG from weaning to kill at 15 to 16 months, 380kg to 400kg with a 55% KO and the majority within the U- specification. That performance level is achieved from an ad lib finishing diet based on maize silage and homegrown cereals, beans and potatoes introduced on housing.
Similarly, heifers average 1.0kg DLG from weaning to 20 to 22-month slaughter. After overwintering indoors on a forage-based diet, they’re grazed for a second season and introduced to a finishing diet, similar to the bulls, for a short period to reach the 380kg to 390kg target and KO 54%. Conformation target is ‘better than R’ while the majority grade within the U- bracket.
“We sell our cattle deadweight to ABP to ensure they go direct from the farm to the abattoir. Spring 2025 the bulls were coming to approximately £2700 per head, and the heifers around £2600 per head.”
To maintain the breeding cows and heifers in BCS 3 to 3.5 during the winter housing period, they are fed grass silage and ad lib straw supplemented with minerals.
The Smith’s beef enterprise is very much a family affair with Nicky responsible for all the paperwork and Jack taking responsibility with Bill for the calving duties. “We used to run a Hereford cross Friesian suckler herd, however we found sourcing quality replacements was becoming too much of a challenge. We agreed to develop a closed herd and restock with a beef cow that had an innate ability to look after and rear her own calf, have a reasonable amount of milk without issues, demonstrate docility and have cull cow value. Simmental was our first choice.
“We established the herd in 2000 with cattle from a local Simmental herd and since then it’s grown to 150 breeding females. Numbers are however influenced by the fact we are located in a TB hot spot which also rules out selling stores,” he says.
“We continue to carefully select sires by eye – bulls with length together with good temperament and the ability to leave progeny that will finish to both our target weights and within specification. We go to Stirling with a commercial budget and our most recent sires include from Wroxall, Kilbride and Denzies.
“Heifer replacement selection is based on the dam’s history for calving ease, together with conformation and motherability. Pelvic measurements help us to fine tune which heifers are to be retained. They’re sufficiently grown for first breeding at 14 to 15 months to an average 400kg to 450kg to hit our target to calve at two years.”
Bill continues: “Being honest, farming a sole beef enterprise here would not be realistic, however since our main enterprise is potatoes grown on contract for McCains along with some cereals, like so many units, we have land that’s only suited to grazing or for silage and the mix enables us to operate a successful circular farming system.
“Farming Simmental cattle is part of that strategy; they suit the system. Straw bedding helps to create the FYM which in turn minimises purchased inputs, and it contributes to looking after the soil, while seasonal labour requirements tie in nicely with the arable enterprises. The cattle enterprise is able to stand on its own two feet, a critical aspect to our farming business when support payments are no longer readily available.”
Herd KPIs
Two-year calving
95% heifer scan
90% cow scan
90% + calving within the first two cycles
100% reared (predominance of twins)
625kg mature body weight
Six calf crops
by Nicky Moreton | Feb 26, 2026 | 2026 Scottish News, 2026 Aberdeen Sales, 2026 News, 2026
- Auchorachan to 11,800gns; Pitmudie to 11,000gns
- Nine Simmentals average £8,960, up by £1190, and a new centre record average
- 100% clearance of Simmental bulls forward
Islavale Ringo from WS Stronach, Berrleys, Grange, Keith, made 13,000gns to lead the Simmental Sale and top the all-breeds price at the Multi-Breed Aberdeen Spring Show & Sale at Thainstone, today Wednesday 25th February.
13,000gns Islavale Ringo
In the morning pre-sale show, in front of the judge, David Barclay, Tullo of Garvock, Laurencekirk, this March 2024 born bull had won the Overall Simmental Championship.
Islavale Ringo is sired by Coose Lincoln EX 95, and is out of Islavale Viva 5 VG 88. With a depth of pedigree, classified, and with top figures, Ringo is in the breed’s top 5% for Calving Ease Direct; and the top 10% for Maternal (Milk), and Eye Muscle Area. Come sale time this stylish bull quickly moved to five figures before being knocked down to W&V Leith, North Crannoch, Keith for the all-breeds sale top price.
For the prolific Islavale herd, the 13,000gns represented a top price to date for the herd at Aberdeen, and is also the fourth time in five years they have topped the Simmental trade at this fixture. The top price continues a tremendous sale season for the herd that has included a quality team of nine Islavale bulls selling at Stirling to average a mighty £18,200, and with the joint top price at 30,000gns. Included within these bulls was another Coose Lincoln EX 95 son at 19,000gns.
The sale at Aberdeen again saw a strong demand for Simmental bulls with all nine forward selling to average £8960, up by £1190, and setting a new Simmental centre record average for this sale. Three bulls in all made over 10,000gns, and with all of the bulls going to commercial buyers.
11,800gns Auchorachan Reagan
Selling at 11,800gns was the August 2024 born Auchorachan Reagan 24 (TM), from D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. This ‘very correct, and well-muscled’ Simmental bull is from the first crop of bulls by Hemingford Nelson who is a half-brother to the 56,000gns record price Hemingford Prince Charming. Out of Auchorachan Kay VG 86, a big daughter of Auchorachan AC/DC, Auchorachan Reagan also carried strong figures being in the breed’s top 5% for 400, and 600 day weight, and being +8 for Maternal (Milk). In the pre-sale show this bull had placed as the day’s Simmental Overall Reserve. Purchasing this bull was D&A Bruce, Dorsell, Alford, Aberdeenshire. The 11,800gns was also a highest Simmental price to date for the Auchorachan herd at Aberdeen.
11,000gns Pitmudie Rambo
Selling at 11,000gns was Pitmudie Rambo 24 from Heather Duff, Pitmudie Farm, Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus. April 2024 born, this bull is by Coolcran Maximus, a previous NI National Show Male Champion, and is out of Pitmudie Erica 4th, an Overhill House Eragon daughter. Buying this bull was N&S Innes, Cairnhill, Huntly. Consistently bringing out some quality Simmental bulls, this was the third sale in a row where Pitmudie Simmental bulls have sold into five figures. The 11,000gns was a joint top sale price for the herd, and the highest price to date made at the Aberdeen Sale. Later in the sale the Pitmudie herd also sold Pitmudie Rooney 24 (TM), an Auchorachan King Kong 19 son, out of another Overhill House Eragon daughter, Pitmudie Lavender, for 7000gns to WLR Keir, Braemorlich, Glenkindie, Alford.
Setting the Simmental Sale off on the front foot was the first bull in the ring, Tillyeve Rolex from Messrs C&M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon. This March 2024 bull is by Corrick Logic and is out of Tillyeve Lexy. Carrying strong performance figures, this bull is in the breed’s top 5% for 200, 400, and 600 day weight; and in the breed’s top 15% for Maternal (Milk). Heading off to Orkney, Tillyeve Rolex was bought by Messrs J&M Smith, Lower Cornquoy, Holm, Orkney.
Other Simmental Prices:
7000gns Glenlossie Roger to M Thomson, Ospisdale, Dornoch, Sutherland
7000gns Drumsleed Rory to Alexander Farms, Clunycrichton, Banchory
7000gns Drumsleed Randall to J Watson, Overton, Pitsligo, Fraserburgh
5800gns Delfur Rambo to Sootywells Farm, Fordoun, Laurencekirk
by Nicky Moreton | Oct 10, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
Sales at Thainstone, UA Stirling, Caledonian Marts, Lanark, Ayr, Newton Stewart, Quoybrae, and Dumfries featured.
Moving round the UK, we’re back in Scotland and looking at markets across Scotland in this last two to three weeks and where flexible, efficient Simmentals continue to top commercial sale sections.
Giving you milk and maternal, easy calving, super temperament, growth, leading age at slaughter, and leading daily carcase gain, there’s so much more to Simmental!
Lawrie & Symington’s sale of 144 cattle on 6th October included a section of 80 cast cows. Leading the way in the section was a Simm from Traquair at £2290.
HUNCHAQUOY SIMM STORE HEIFER TO £2550, 508ppk
At Thainstone on 3rd October, Aberdeen & Northern Marts sold 1050 store cattle, young bulls and young and weaned calves. Heifers (222) averaged 405p and sold to 508p per kg for a 502kg Simmental Cross from Hunchaquoy, Swannay.
£2984 PRIME SIMM HEIFER AT THAINSTONE
Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 75 prime cattle at Thainstone on 2nd October. Prime heifers (25) sold to £2984.10 gross for a 870kg Simmental Cross from 4 Kirkview, Lumphanan.
GREENWALL SIMM BULLOCKS TO £2400 AT STIRLING
On 1st October, United Auctions sold 1796 store cattle, 199 out of spec cattle, and 146 rearing cattle. In the bullocks Simm prices included: Greenwall £2400, Newbigging of Craighall 459.10p, Balegreggan £2360, Stoneyburns 442.40p, Torbrex £2340, Newbigging of Craighall 438.40p, Greenwall £2330, and Kirkland 438.40p 438.30p. Simm heifers saw: Torbrex £2440 £2380, Torbrex 513.70p 499.00p 429.90p.
£5100 TOWIEMORE SIMM HEIFER WITH CALF AT FOOT
Aberdeen & Northern Marts sale of breeding cattle at Thainstone on 1st October saw Simmental heifers with calves at foot from EM Smith & Sons, Towiemore, Keith sold to a fantastic £5100 with others at £4950, and £4900 (x2). Simm X heifers with calves from Towiemore made £4950; £4850; and £4750. Simmental x heifers with calves at foot from W&M Ewing, South Blachrie, Fyvie sold to £5050 and with others at £4900 (X2); £4850 (X2); £4800; & £4600 (X2). Messrs Marty, Wester Bleaton, Bridge of Cally had the top price in the Cows with calves section of £4900 for a Simm with a Lim cross bull calf.
BINZIAN SIMM SUCKLED CALVES TO £400, ORMSARY TO 484.7ppk
Autumn born suckled calves on fire at United Auctions, Stirling on 29th September. Binzian Farm, Perth had pens of Simm bullocks, 12 months old or less, at £2400, and £2300 per head, and to 478.10ppk. Ormsary had Simm bullocks sell for 484.70ppk, and had Simm heifers sell to 569.90, & 504.20p. Binzian had Simm heifers, again 12 months or less, to £2300. Quote: “Nothing puts weight into calves like the Simmental cow, or bull for that matter!”
KMB FARMERS SIMM STORE BULLOCKS TO 545.8ppk
C&D Auctions held their fortnightly sale of Store Cattle in Dumfries on 29th September 2025 with 500 forward. Bullocks to 545.8p/kg for Simms from KMB Farmers, Ardlamy, and to £2460 gross with a Simmental from Somerville.
Lawrie & Symington’s primestock sale on 29th September at Lanark, saw young bulls topped at 350ppk for a Simm from East Merkland, and £2436 gross.
2850 MOSSIDE SIMM STORE BULLOCK LEADS THAINSTONE
On 26th September at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 863 store cattle, young bulls and young and weaned Calves. Bullocks (319) sold to £2850 gross for a 904kg Simmental Cross from Mosside, Fyvie. Heifers (244) averaged 409.5p and sold to £2500 gross twice. Firstly for a 558kg Simmental Cross and secondly for a 652kg Simmental Cross from Essil, Garmouth.
NEWTON STEWART STORES LED BY SIMMS AT 475ppk
On Friday 26th Sptember, Craig Wilson Ltd sold 742 store cattle at Newton Stewart. Sale was topped, price per kilo, at 475p k/g for Simmental Crosses from Mr A Henry, Barrachan Farm, with others at 471p, 451p, and 425p.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 984 Store Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 25th September. 405 Heifers Averaged 393.27p or £1786.64, with heifers peaking at £2500 for a Simmental off Stoopshill.
BERRYLEYS YOUNG SIMM BULL TO £3038.75
Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 122 prime cattle at Thainstone on 25th September. Young bulls saw Berryleys, Grange achieve £3085.25 with a Simm; with Newton of Savoch attaining £3038.75 for a Simm X.
ALMONT SIMM STORE HEIFERS TO £2420 496.90ppk AT STIRLING
At Stirling on 24th September, United Auctions sold 1671 store cattle and 140 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Bulls were topped at £2710 for a 840kg Simm from Northfield. In the store bullocks, Simm prices included: Stoneyburn £2300, Sunnycroft 472.00p, Mollandhu £2290, Borgue House 438.60p, Wester Mye £2280, and Sunnycroft 438.40p. Simm heifers saw: Almont £2420, Almont 496.90p, Ormsary £2380, Ormsary 480.80p, Mollandhu £2360, Blackcruik 454.80p, Ryeflatt £2260 £2250 £2180, Ormsary 451.90p, and Strone £2180 .
SIMM HEIFER STIRKS TO £1860 AT AYR
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 124 calves and stirks on 23rd September at Ayr. In the stirks, heifers to £1860 for a Simmental Cross off Messrs Gilmour, Brownhill. Simmental Bull calves to £880 and £860 for Simm X from Drumachloy, with Simm heifer calves from the same home to £820.
At Quoybrae on 22nd September, Aberdeen & Northern Marts sold 582 store cattle. Bullocks 351-400kg Lower Milton, Wick (Simm X) 480.8p.
Lanark’s primestock day on 22nd September included a sale of 80 cast cows which was topped at 316ppk for a Simm from Westtown farm, Stonehouse.
At Stirling and Caledonian Marts sale of prime cattle and OTM cattle, OTMs sold to 307p per kg for a Simmental from W Duff, Whitehill and to £2740 for a Simmental from I D Johnston, Kirkton.
by Nicky Moreton | Sep 26, 2025 | 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
We’re continuing to take snapshots of Simmentals doing the business in commercial sale rings around the UK. Today we’re highlighting just some Simmy toppers from sales across England in this last three weeks.
Simmentals giving you all of the milk and maternal qualities you’d expect as well as leading age at slaughter, and leading daily carcase gain. It all adds up to value, efficiency, performance and profitability. There’s more to Simmental!
At Sedgemoor’s sale of store cattle on 20th September, Simmental steers to £2230 (4x 27m) from RW Moore, Buckland St Mary featuring in the leading prices. In a sale of 549 calves, a good 1month Simmental bull to £630 from R Hares.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 20th September, cows & calves sold to £3020 for a Simmental Cross Cow with a pair of Limousin calves at foot from S Duckworth, Rossendale.
£2300 SIMM HEIFER TOP AT THAME
Thame’s sale of 510 store cattle on 19th September saw Merv Alderman top the heifer trade with his Simmental x Blonde at £2300. Simmental X steers from the same home sold to £2220.
SIMM CALF LEADS EXETER TRADE AT £635
At Exeter’s sale of 125 calves on 19th September, top of the day was £635 for a Simmental bull from May Priorton Ltd of Crediton.
KIRKPATRICK SIMM CALF MAKES £930 AT CARLISLE
On 17th September Harrison and Hetherington held their weekly sale of calves at Carlisle. Messrs Kirkpatrick, Nether Place sold a Simmental bull calf to £930. On the same day and a sale of weaned bulls and stirks, Fleckvieh bulls sold to £1750 and £1620 from High Crewburn Farm. Simmental heifers sold to £1560 from Kimmeter Green.
SIMMS TOP TRURO STORES AT £2365
Truro’s store sale on 17th September saw a good quality entry and a fine trade all around topping at £2365 for a stand out pair of 2year-old Simmental steers on behalf of Mr C G Andrew of St Austell.
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Kirkby Stephen Mart held their fortnightly Sale of cast and OTM cattle on 17th September. Fleckvieh steers sold to £2407.78 (703kg 342.5p) from Messrs Beck, Town Foot, Longdale with another Fleckvieh steer weighing 652kg selling for 341.5p/kg (£2226.58) also from this home.
At Frome’s sale of prime cattle on 17th September, some super Simmental under 30 month steers from Edward and Lucy Hicks & family 365 -371.5p/kg and all being R+ grades. These steers to £2342 and 369.5ppkg. In a sale of 278 calves on the same day, best Simmental bulls from M Carver flying to £640 and £520 to top the trade.
SIMMS LEAD SKIPTON YOUNG BULLS AT £2700
At Skipton on 17th September and the fortnightly sale of young feeding bulls, store bullocks & heifers, and breeding cattle, young bulls were topped by Simmentals at £2700, with others at £2400. Beef breeding cattle were topped by a Sim x cow, and Sim calf to £3600.
£2846 SIMM STEERS LEAD MELTON MOWBRAY PRIME SALE
In a sale of prime cattle at Melton Mowbray on 16th September, steers were topped by Chris Taylor with a Simmental at £2846.03, and who had others at £2675.31. A prime young Simmental bull on the same day made £2678.28 for Bungehurst Farms Ltd.
£860 SIMM LEADS SALE OF 915 CALVES AT MARKET DRAYTON
In a sale of 915 rearing calves at Market Drayton on 15th September, the day’s top price was a massive £860 for a Simmental bull from Mr F. Whittaker, Sandbach. A further Simm bull calf made £690 from RJ & RH Gadsbey.
Lancaster’s store cattle sale on 12th September saw JM Haddow, Milnthorpe, sell his Simmental steers to £2480.
£4050 SIMM COW & CALF AT THIRSK
The sale of breeding cattle at Thirsk on 9th September, saw a tremendous consignment of cows and calves from Bob Inglis of Goole. This run of 8, 6 to 8 year old, Simmental and Angus cows with 8 and 9 month old Charolais X calves at foot, sold exceptionally well to a top of £4050 for a Simmental cow, with another Simmy at £3400.
Melton Mowbray’s sale of prime cattle on 9th September saw Simmental steers from J Bunning make £2628.11, and £2434.22.
SIMM PRIME BULL TO £3254 AT CARLISLE
In a sale of prime bulls at Carlisle on 8th September, Simmentals sold to £3253.84 for 914kgs from Messrs Bell, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso. On the same day Simmental steers sold to £2,541, 722kg, Outer Woodhead, with Simmental heifers to £2558 from newbie Mains, and £2515 from The Close. At a sale of cast cows on the same day, Fleckviehs from Drumforber sold to £2801, 917kgs, and £2707, 916kgs. Thomas Mckinnl, Drumneil Farm sold the top priced Simmental cow for 858kgs, 295.5p, £2535 to Jewitts.
At H&H’s sale of prime cattle at St Boswells (Scottish Borders) on 8th September, trade was topped at £3271.67 for Simmental bullocks from Clark, Wellheads. Fleckvieh heifers from Tait & Co, Thorneydykes made £2453.43.
At Market Drayton’s sale of 262 store cattle on 8th September, 610kgs Simmental steers from D&A Warrington sold for £2270, with further Simm steers from FH Davies & Co at £2200.
SIMM STORE BULLOCKS TO £2645 AT PENRITH
On 8th September, Penrith & District Farmers’ Mart LLP held their fortnightly sale of (341) Store Cattle and Feeding Bulls of all classes. Simmental bullocks from Low Row sold to £2645.
A sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 6th September saw a Simmental cross cow with a Simmental bull calf from J Butterworth, make £2900. In the sale of stores on the same day, Simmental steers from P Briggs made £2400.
Hexham & Northern Marts at their weekly sale offered an entry of 203 beef bred Store Cattle from across the region on 5th September. Simmental x steers, 22-25 months, sold to £2400 from Brandon, and £2360 from Harbottle Grange.
SIMM STORES TO £2700 AT BENTHAM
Bentham’s sale of store cattle on 5th September saw Simmental steers to £2700 from SJ&AL Dennis, Bentham.
£1020 SIMM CALF AT CARLISLE
On 3rd September Harrison and Hetherington held their weekly sale of calves at Carlisle and which saw an entry of 330 forward. Messrs CM Kirkpatrick, Nether Place, Lockerbie sold a Simmental bull calf to £1020.
PRIME SIMM STEERS TO £3040 AT RUGBY
A bumper entry for Rugby Market’s monthly prime cattle sale on 3rd September, saw top grossing steers from H & J East with heavyweight 796kgs Simmentals to £3040.72
At Darlington’s sale of store cattle on 1st September, at £2400 was a thumping 2-year-old Simmental steer from JE Holliday & Son, Woodland House; the high-flying Holliday’s followed with a second Simmental at £2380.
Market Drayton’s sale of 199 barren cows, cull bulls, and overage clean cattle on 1st September saw sucklers topped at £2227.50 for a Simmental from The Binns Family, Stone Heath. John & Olwyn Whittingham, Mucklestone saw £2039 for their Simmental. Bulls were led by a young Simmental at £2389.60 from SH&JE Dennison, Chirbury.
Bakewell’s store cattle sale on 1st September saw 293 steers average £1663. 18-month-old Simm steers from Thorp farms, Baslow sold to £2400, with others from E&D Kemp, Etwall, at £2360.
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