It’s a massive well done to Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, who won the Simmental Overall Senior Championship before going on to win the Overall Senior Interbreed with their heifer calf Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P) at the high-profile Stars of the Future Calf Show held at United Auctions, Stirling on Saturday 11th November.
September 2022 born, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P) is the first calf out of Annick Ginger’s Lucia who was purchased for 16,000gns last year at the Annick Herd Dispersal Sale and who won the Overall Simmental Championship at this year’s Royal Highland Show with Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P), at foot. Annick Lucia’s Nicosia is sired by the heterozygous polled bull Kilbride Farm Karl (P).
Having been awarded the Simmental Senior Female and Overall Senior Championship by the judge Neil McIlwaine of the Corrick herd, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P) then ‘doubled-up’ the Championship titles when getting the Senior Interbreed Championship nod from the judge Teresa Wilson, the well-known Chief Cattle Steward at the Royal Welsh Show. It was another top showing day for the Backmuir herd who in addition to their Overall Senior Championship and Overall Senior Interbreed titles, also went on to win Reserve Junior Female; Reserve Junior Overall; and Junior Male Champion.
Commenting on his Senior Female Champion the judge Neil McIlwaine said: “This was a beautifully balanced heifer and just full of breed character. She had tremendous length and width, with a great top, and correctness right through her. A really sweet heifer, she exemplified all the traits you would look for in the Simmental breed.”
Islavale Peaches Junior Simmental Female and Overall Junior Champion
With the Simmental Championships split into two sections, the Junior Simmental Female and Overall Junior Champion came in the shape of Islavale Peaches, from the prolific Islavale herd of Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. Entirely homebred, this April 2023 born calf is by Islavale Lucifer 20 EX93 and is out of Islavale Honeypot VG 86, the mother of the 10,000gns Islavale Lord. Islavale Peaches now heads to the Simmental Next Generation III Sale of Females & Weaned Calves at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 1st December. Strong supporters of Stars of the Future, this is the second year in a row that Islavale have won the Simmental Junior and Junior Female Championships at this event.
Of his Junior Female Champion, Neil McIlwaine said: “Another tremendous Simmental heifer and one of the youngest on the day. Again she had super length and conformation, moved out extremely well, and was very stylish. Certainly a young heifer with a big future ahead of her.” Speaking generally of the day, Neil went on to say: “I was delighted to judge at Stars of the Future and it was a super show of Simmentals giving a tremendous representation of the breed. There was a consistency throughout the classes which is a great credit to the exhibitors.”
Delfur Nifty Reserve Senior Female
Back in the Simmental Senior Females, the Reserve Senior Female came in the shape of the November 2022 born Delfur Nifty from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour. At the end of October, this heifer calf had won the Simmental Championship at the Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle. Delfur Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. Another Ballymoney Larry daughter, Delfur Weigela N12, who was Reserve Overall to Nifty at Carlisle, won Class Four at Stars of the Future.
Islavale Novak Senior Male Champion
Winning the Senior Male Championship was Islavale Novak and another from the Stronach family. October 2022 born, Novak is by Coose Lincoln and is out of the young cow Islavale Jazz. At the recent Stirling Bull Sale the Islavale herd sold the first Coose Lincoln sons at sale to a top of 13,000gns, 12,000gns, and 11,000gns respectively. Islavale Novak will now be provisionally aimed at the February 2024 Stirling Bull Sale.
Chestermann Neymar Senior Male Reserve Champion
Taking the Senior Male Reserve Championship was the entirely homebred Chestermann Neymar from N&N Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm, Newton Stewart. Winner of the day’s opening class, the July 2022 born Chestermann Neymar is sired by Chestermann Gibble, a Lisglass Domino son, and is out of Chestermann Ringleader Tracey 10 EX91. Chestermann Neymar is another young bull provisionally heading to Stirling in February next year.
The Reserve Junior Female and Reserve Overall Junior Champion was another from the Backmuir herd and this time Backmuir Ginger’s Paprika (P). February 2023 born this calf is out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger who was purchased with her then calf at foot for 23,000gns at the aforementioned Annick Herd Dispersal Sale, a breed record for a cow and calf unit. Backmuir Ginger’s Paprika (P) is another by Kilbride Farm Karl (P), the same sire as the herd’s Overall Senior Interbreed Champion. Rounding off the Backmuir herds’ day was the bull calf Backmuir Pegasus who won Class Six before going on to take the Junior Male Championship. Another calf just full of breeding behind him, Backmuir Pegasus is an AI calf got by the well-known Atlow Dixon 12 EX91, and is out of Brandane Lu Lu who the Simmers purchased for a centre breed record price of 18,000gns at the Next Generation II Sale held last December in Carlisle.
Backmuir Pegasus Junior Male Champion
The Reserve Junior Male title went to the January 2023 born Overhill House Patrick from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian and with this calf initially placing second in his class to Backmuir Pegasus. Overhill House Patrick is by Corskie Lambe 20, a Kilbride Farm Haka son, and is out of Overhill House Italia, a Curaheen Drifter (P) daughter.
Overhill House Patrick Reserve Junior Male
Adding to what’s been quite a stellar year for him to date, Finlay Soutter, Yew Tree Farm, Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire won the Stars of the Future Senior Young Handler Championship and whilst showing a Simmental heifer from the Blackford herd of Anne MacPherson, Croy, Inverness, which Finlay had helped to halter break on-farm. This latest win follows on from high profile Young Handler Championships secured earlier in the year at both the Royal Norfolk and Royal Welsh Shows respectively. Finlay also enjoyed multiple summer wins with his heifer Brandane Millie including the Simmental Breed Championship at the Royal Welsh and where he also placed Overall Reserve Supreme in the Individual Interbreed.
Teresa Wilson with Senior Young Handler Champion, Finlay Soutter
SIMMENTAL CLASS RESULTS & CHAMPIONSHIPS AT 2023 STARS OF THE FUTURE CALF SHOW Judge: Neil McIlwaine, Corrick Simmental Herd, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone.
Class 1 – Senior Males born on or between 15 July & 7 October 2022 1st – Lot 359: N & N Gwynne – CHESTERMANN NEYMAR – s. Chestermann Gibble 2nd – Lot 360: J C Mclaren & Partners – DARGILL NEIL (P) – s. Corskie Journal (PP) 3rd – Lot 363: J C Mclaren & Partners – DARGILL NAPLES (P) – s. Highcross Larry (PP)
Class 2 – Senior Males born on or between 26 October & 17 November 2022 1st – Lot 365: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE NOVAK – s. Coose Lincoln 2nd – Lot 369: J & E Dyet – MERKLAND NELSON – s. Merkland Infinity
Class 3 – Senior Females born on or between 3 July to 12 September 2022 1st – Lot 374: Reece & Andrew Simmers – ANNICK LUCIA’S NICOSIA (P) – s. Kilbride Farm Karl (P) 2nd – Lot 373: W G Macpherson (A Firm) – BLACKFORD NADIA – s. Glenturk Legend 3rd – Lot 375: Frank Gwynne – CASTLEWIGG RINGLEADER GIRLIE – s. Blackford Ringleader 4th – Lot 370: Gavin Brown – SPRINGFIELD NEXT GENERATION – s. Islavale Jabba Class 4 – Senior Females born on or between 1 October to 5 November 2022 1st – Lot 379: Delfur Farms – DELFUR WEIGELA N12 – s. Ballymoney Larry 2nd – Lot 380: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE ASHLEY 9 – s. Coose Lincoln 3rd – Lot 376: Andrew J Wilson – CHESTERMANN EMPIRE NONNE 4 – s. Sterling Empire 4th – Lot 378: Andrew J Wilson – CAIRNVIEW REA 8 (P) – s. Slievenagh International (PP)
Class 5 – Senior Females born on or between 7 November to 25 December 2022 1st – Lot 384: Delfur Farms – DELFUR NIFTY – s. Ballymoney Larry 2nd – Lot 387: Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR NAUGHTY SPICE – s. Backmuir King 3rd – Lot 388: Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR VIVA’S NUTCRACKER – s. Skerrington Gambler
Senior Male Champion Lot 365: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE NOVAK – s. Coose Lincoln
Reserve Senior Male Champion Lot 359: N & N Gwynne – CHESTERMANN NEYMAR – s. Chestermann Gibble
Senior Female Champion Lot 374: Reece & Andrew Simmers – ANNICK LUCIA’S NICOSIA (P)– s. Kilbride Farm Karl
Reserve Senior Female Champion Lot 384: Delfur Farms – DELFUR NIFTY – s. Ballymoney Larry
Senior Overall Champion Lot 374: Reece & Andrew Simmers – ANNICK LUCIA’S NICOSIA (P) – s. Kilbride Farm Karl
Reserve Overall Champion Lot 365: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE NOVAK – s. Coose Lincoln
Class 6 – Junior Males born on or between 22 January & 26 March 2023 1st – Lot 390: Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR PEGASUS – s. Atlow Dixon 2nd – Lot 391: Richard McCulloch – OVERHILL HOUSE PATRICK – s. Corskie Lambe 3rd – Lot 393: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE PRESIDENT – s. Curaheen Giant
394 Coltfield Principal
Class 7 – Junior Males born on or between 1 April & 29 May 2023 1st – Lot 394: Cameron MacIver – COLTFIELD PRINCIPAL – s. Wolfstar Loose Cannon 2nd – Lot 398: Gavin Brown – SPRINGFIELD PRIME – s. Islavale Jabba
Class 8 – Junior Females born on or between 24 January & 21 March 2023 1st – Lot 401: Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR GINGER’S PAPRIKA (P) – s. Kilbride Farm Karl (P) 2nd – Lot 404: Cameron MacIver – COLTFIELD PANDORA – s. Wolfstar Loose Cannon 3rd – Lot 400: Frank Gwynne – CASTLEWIGG EMPIRE STELLA 3 – s. Sterling Empire 4th – Lot 399: Dean Saunders – MAIDENLANDS POLARINE 4 P – s. Derrycallaghan Kingkong
Class 9 – Junior Females born on or between 5 April & 15 June 2023 1st – Lot 407: Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE PEACHES – s. Islavale Lucifer 2nd – Lot 406: J C Maclean & Partners – DARGILL P-NUT (P) – Highcross Larry (PP) 3rd – Lot 408: J & E Dyet – MERKLAND PETULA – s. Merkland Jimmy
Junior Male Champion Lot 390 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR PEGASUS – s. Atlow Dixon
Reserve Junior Male Champion Lot 391 – Richard McCulloch – OVERHILL HOUSE PATRICK – s. Corskie Lambe
Junior Female Champion Lot 407 – Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE PEACHES – s. Islavale Lucifer
Reserve Junior Female Champion Lot 401: Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR GINGER’S PAPRIKA (P) – s. Kilbride Farm Karl (P)
Junior Overall Champion Lot 407- Mr W S Stronach – ISLAVALE PEACHES – s. Islavale Lucifer
Reserve Overall Champion Lot 401 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – BACKMUIR GINGER’S PAPRIKA (P) – s. Kilbride Farm Karl (P)
In what is a massive endorsement of British Simmental’s commercial abilities, recent data from AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations has confirmed that on average, calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires; Simmental sired calves can cost £72 less to finish; and that fast finishing equates to 5.4kg less CO2 equivalents. The data also highlights the advantages of Simmental females with continental sired calves out of Simmental dams finishing 29 days earlier than the average of all suckler dams! The Simmental breeds benchmark remains their milk, fertility, calving ease, and abilities to rear a fast-growing calf without creep feeding. It’s a package of efficiency and economics and commercial producers are recognising that Simmental genetics gives you more.
See here the latest bumper set of sales and sections topped by Simmental cattle in October: Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling, had forward 413 Store Cattle at their fortnightly sale on 30th October. Bullocks averaged 279ppkg selling to 384ppkg for a pen of Simmentals from R Kenny, Robertsonlane. Heifers averaged 243ppkg selling to 318ppkg for a pen of Simmentals again from Robertsonlane.
In a sale of prime cattle at Exeter on 30th October, prime steers realised to £1595 (666kg x 240ppk) for a Simmental from Graham Tancock in from Broadclyst whilst further Simmental bullocks were close when making £1582 (610kg x 260ppk) for Michael Tooze of Brixham.
At Rugby Farmers Mart’s weekly sale on 30th October, top price in the steers went to PC & RA Nichols & Son for a Simmental at £2195.
In a sale of 655 rearing calves at Market Drayton on 30th October, Simmentals topped the all-breeds average for bull calves when levelling out at £363.
United Auctions Stirling sold 456 beef breeding cattle on 28th October. Leading the bulling heifers was SimxLuings from Allanton at £2400, and £2050. Cows with bull calves at foot reached £1950 for a Sim from Briarlands, with cows with heifer calves at foot reaching £2700 for a Sim from Lochlane.
At Tiree, United Auctions sold 715 suckled calves and store cattle and 68 breeding cattle on 28th October. Heifers sold to £1300 and including a pen of three 597kg Simmentals from D A Macarthur, Middleton to average £803.59 (+£104.45).
At Lerwick, Shetland Livestock Marketing Group in conjunction with Aberdeen and Northern Marts on 27th of October 2022 sold 492 Weaned Calves, Store Catle, Breeding and Cast Cows at their Annual Special Sale. “The biggest entry of cattle through the marts in many years seen 492 sell to levels not witnessed in Shetland before. Cast cows sold to a top of £1780 for a 938kg Simmental from Messrs Nicholson, Gilbraes.
On 27th October at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1,001 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Weaned Calves. Top gross of the day went to the Stronach family Berryleys for a pen of 3 Simmental heifers scaling 614kg which fetched £2,020 followed by £2,000 twice for a pen of 4 Simmentals weighing 664kg and another pair of Simmentals scaling 624kg all consigned from Berryleys. Bulls sold to 287.9p per kg for a 396kg Simmental cross from South Auquhorthies, Oldmeldrum and £1,600 gross for a pair of 636kg Simmentals from Drumsleed, Fordoun.
In a sale of 360 weanlings at Ballymena on 27th October, heifers sold to £1210 for a 400kg Sim offered by P McConnell, Ligoniel. Lancaster’s sale of calves and weanlings on 27th October, saw Simmental crosses from FP&G Slater sold at £570 to top the steer calves.
In a small sale of prime cattle at Aberdeen & Northern Marts Thainstone on 26th October, Under 30 Month – Prime Bullocks sold to £1911 gross for a 780kg Simmental cross from Turfhillock, Drummuir. Prime Heifers sold to £1855.65 gross for a 695kg Simmental cross from Tewel Farm, Stonehaven. On the same day a sale of feeding bullocks averaged £1710 and sold to £2130 for a 1030kg Simmental cross from Longmuir, Mintlaw Station.
At Longtown market on 26th October, a much larger show of cast cows was forward, with 70% of the sale consisting of hill cows. The sale topped at £1,260 for a Simmental from JA & E Dinwoodie, Archerbeck, Canonbie.
In a sale of cast cattle at Gisburn on 26th October, beef bred cows saw highs of 193ppk for a Simmental from Ian & Rachel Pratt, Hebden bridge.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 501 Head of Adult Breeding Cattle at Thainstone on 25th October at their Annual show & sale of spring calving heifers sponsored by Agrimin and judged by Stephen & Raymond Martyn, Wester Bleaton. Champion pair or pen of three heifers went to a pair of Simmental Crosses from Gordon Dow, Upper Sauchen selling for £2900. Cow with Bull Calf at foot sold to £1880 for a Simmental Cross from North Chapelhouse, Old Meldrum.
On 25th October Harrison and Hetherington Ltd held their weekly sale of 560 store cattle at Carlisle. Heifers sold to £1860 for a Simmental x from Messrs Robinson, Rowell, Milnthorpe.
The third prize sale of suckled calves held at Truro on 25th October saw a tremendous trade. Heifers aged 8-12 months were topped at £880 by Simmental x’s from K Thomas, Helston.
At Oban on 24th October, United Auctions sold 201 breeding type Heifer Calves & 139 Adult Breeding Cattle. Heifers sold to £1100 for a pair of SimX from Ardencaple Farms, Clachan Seil to average £688.67 (+£38.73). In the Breeding section, in calf heifers sold to £2300 for SimX from Iris MacColl, Mid Farm.
In a sale of store cattle at Holmfirth on 24th October, the top price steer was a Simmental at £1145 from RD Newman sold to JB Eastwood & Sons.
On Tuesday 24th October at Brockholes Arms sale of store cattle, the heifer trade peaked at £1380 for Simmentals from J Aspinall & Son at eighteen months old.
A quality entry for Hallworthy’s second catalogued Suckled Calf sale on 24th October, saw over 500 passing through the ring and what a trade! Steer Calves topped at a grand £1250 for some outstanding Simmentals in from Jim Buckland of St Buryan who sold more to £1130.
In a sale of prime cows, stock bulls, and OTM cattle at Melton Mowbray on 24th October, a massive yarding of cows and OTM saw Simmentals lead the way and to 254.5p/kg from CJG Clarke.
On 23rd October, Lawrie and Symington Ltd, at Lanark market, had forward 232 cattle comprising of 52 bullocks and heifers, 121 cast cows and 59 calves and stirks. Beef cows sold to £1610 for a Simmental from Messrs Wainwright, Todhall Farm, Cupar.
At Quoybrae on 23rd October, Aberdeen & Northern Marts had a sale of weaned calves & store cattle, and Breeding Cattle. Store bullocks sold to £1,390 gross for a 484kg Simmental cross from Cruithni. Store heifers sold to 283.8p for a 458kg Simmental Cross and £1,480 gross for a 523kg Simmental cross from Cruthni, Tofts.
In a sale of 666 rearing calves at Market Drayton on 23rd October, Simmentals led the averages for heifers levelling out at £205.36. At Bentham markets suckled calf sale on 20th October, Fishwick Farms once again produced a wonderful run of mainly Simmental steers which were very well followed, topping at £1140 with bulls to £1200 with an overall average of £1068 achieved (+£197 on the year), and to feature in the top end prices.
Exeter’s sale of 792 store cattle, suckled calves, and stirks on 19th October saw Simmentals top both the bullocks and the heifers in the sale of 500 stores. Steers topped at £1590 given for a pen of four well grown Simmentals from John and Emily Northam of Wellington. The heifer section saw the Shervington family, Hittisleigh back and selling their outstanding Simmental cattle with heifers (26m) realising £1480 and £1420 with others (22m) making £1360 for John and Emily Northam.
On 19th October, United Auctions, Huntly sold 301 store cattle and OTM’S. Top gross in the bullocks was £1770 for a 725kg SimX from The Knowes, Deskford. Heifers sold to average 274.8p per kg selling to a top of 339.5p per kg for a pair of 542kg SimX’s from Law Farm, Insch. Top gross being £1840 for the same animals.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 609 Store Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 19th October. Top Price of the day was 320p for a pen of Simmental bullocks off Howcommon.
In a sale of calves at Oswestry on 19th October, Simmental bulls topped when selling to £320 & £305 from J R James & Son, Church Farm.
On 18th October, United Auctions, Stirling sold 876 store cattle & young bulls. Young bulls topped at £1040 for a Simmental from Glenkiln. 102 rearing cattle were forward at an additional sale on the same day. The sale topped at £825 for a SimX bullock from M/s Galbraith, Polliwilline – Campbeltown. Other leading stirk prices were £815×3 for Simms from Blair Castle Est.
On 18th October at Frome and a sale of cull cows, the top price was 173.00ppkg for an 800kg Simmental from CSA Holdings, Trowbridge.
At Lochmaddy on 17th October, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd sold 140 store, breeding and OTM cattle. Heifers averaged 268.4 per kg and sold to 320.0p per kg and £960 gross for a pair of Simmental Crosses from Druim Torrach Croft. OTM Cattle (11) averaged 126.5p per kg and sold to 150.0p per kg and £1,260 gross for a Simmental Cross Cow from Clachan Farm, Lochmaddy. C&D Auction Marts held their fortnightly Sale of Store Cattle in Dumfries on 16th October. Heifers to £1460 for Simmentals from Torwoodlee and Buckholm Estates.
At Rugby Farmers Mart on 16th October the trade for cows was led by CH Evans & Son with a Simmental at £1771. A further Simmental from the same home made £1658.
In a sale of 653 rearing calves at Market Drayton, Simmentals led the averages in both the bull calf and heifer calf sections. Simmental bull calves averaged £249.37, with Simmental heifer calves averaging £250.67.
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held their weekly sale of cast cattle, store and breeding stock on Monday 16th October 2023. Forward were 382 cattle. Top per kilo of the week was a super Simmental OTM heifer from C Parker, Newsham Grange which reached 236ppk.
In a sale of barren cows on 16th October at Sedgemoor, a cracking red and white climbed to a sale top of £1,356.60 for R Bigwood.
Within Bakewell Market’s weekly sale on 16th October, an offering of 32 breeding cattle was topped by a 16-month-old Simmental bull from Storersmith Simmentals at £1800.
At Sedgemoor’s sale of 405 non-export calves on 14th October, congratulations to KP Silverthorne & Partners, who picked up the first Mastergen Synetics prize for the top price continental bull calf at £425, for a 1m Simmental. Other strong Simmentals to £380 and £328 from P Frost.
On 13th October, United Auctions, Dalmally, United Auctions held their Annual Show & Sale of Suckled Calves at Dalmally. 1059 calves were sold. Heifers sold to 373.2p/kg for a pen of 3 Simmentals from G Bannerman, Old Manse, Balmaha to average 275.7p/kg (+35.82p).
At Lancaster Auction Marts Sale of Calves, OTM and Store Cattle on 13th October, Beef cows sold to 199.5p/kg on two occasions including a Simmental x from T&M Halhead, Priest Hutton. For a further entry of predominantly feeding type cows, top gross was a Simmental x also from T&M Halhead achieving £1442.
Aberdeen & Northern Marts held a sale for a total of 150 Store Cattle forward from Orkney Consignors on 13th October at Thainstone. Heifers Sold to a top of 340.6p per kg for a 458kg Simmental from J W S Logie & Co, Lochend, Westray. Spring Born Bullock Calves Sold to £1,250 gross and 334.2p per kg for a pair of 374kg Simmentals from Millburn Farms, Harray. Spring Born Heifer Calves Sold to £1,010 for 370kg Simmental from Millburn Farms.
Also on 13th October at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts sold 1110 store cattle, young bulls and young & weaned calves including a consignment of West Highland calves. Heifers (252) averaged 280.8p and sold to 340.6p per kg for a 458kg Simmental Cross from Lochend. Bulls sold to £1670 gross for a 640kg Simmental Cross from Ferniebrae, Lonmay.
At Frome’s store cattle sale on 13th October. RC & LJ Rann, IOW, sold their forward Simmental steers to £1535 (25mo) and £1485 to £1522 (all 20mo). Other well-presented Simmental steers equally dear selling at £1525 (20mo) from GW & M Pike & Son of Swanage. Quality non FABBL Simmental steers met a massive trade to £1400 (27mo) from Phil Stevens of Shepton Mallet.
United Auctions, Stirling sold 2035 store cattle & young bulls on 11th October. Heifers (811) sold to £1840 for a 524kg SIMX from Tinnis. Young Bulls (83) sold to £1280 for a SIMX from Kirkton of Mailler.
On 11th October AT Market Drayton, and a sale of 169 clean cattle and young bulls, steers were an absolute flyer and raced away to 310p (£1,882.80) for a Simmental from Mr Bob Yeomans, New Street Lane and who had further Simms to 296p (£1,793.76).
At Dungannon Farmers Mart on 11th October heifers topped at £1910 720kg Sim (266.00), presented by R Carson. Fat Cows sold to a height of £1340 for 795kg Sim presented by M Patterson.
In a sale of cull cows, heifers, and bulls on 11th October at Brockholes Arms Auction Mart, a consignment of Simmentals lead the way from M Noblet with cows peaking at and OTM heifers selling to 210p/kg.
At Truro’s sale of over 350 store cattle and suckled calves on 11th October, steers topped at £1590 for a very smart trio of 19-month-old Simmentals on behalf of Messrs ID & SS Backway of St Eval, Wadebridge. The same vendor also had the top price of £1390 for a Simmental which topped the section of 18-month-old heifers. In the second prize sale of suckled calves, Heifers born after 1st March 2023 were topped by a Simmental from Messrs J & R J Nankervis of Zennor at £870. The same vendor topped the heifers up to seven-months-old with another Simmental x at £770, and in the steers up to seven-months-old took the second top price of £870.
Thirsk held a sale of 105 store heifers and 75 store steers on 10th October. Heifers sold to £1550 for a Simmental X from AJ & JM Appleby, Nether Silton.
In a sale of OTM/barren cows on 10th October at Llandovery, the trade was topped at £1440 for a 730kgs Sim X from TJ&EM Higgins, Penlan.
On Monday 9th October at Lanark, Lawrie and Symington Ltd had forward 155 cattle comprising of 45 bullocks and heifers, 110 cast cows and 29 calves and stirk. Beef cows sold to 236p/pk for a Sim from Messrs Orr, Lawhead Farm, Tarbrax.
At Bakewell on 9th October the offering of breeding cattle was topped by a 14-months-old Simmental bull at £1780 from Renshaw & Brassington, Church Broughton.
At H&H’s sale of prime cattle at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 9th October, the Simmental trade was topped at £2028 for heifers from Newbie Mains. Messrs Sisson & Sons, Kelbarrow sold the top priced Simmental cow for 914kg, 199.5p, £1823 bought by Frank Smart.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 7th October, cows and calves topped at £2000 for a Simental cow and calf from Peter Howarth. On the same day, Simmental young bulls sold to a top of £1360 for E & M Fairhurst.
On 6th October at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1248 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Heifers (335) averaged 283.4p and sold to 384.3p per kg for a 484kg Simmental from Myres, South Ronaldsay.
Aberdeen & Northern Marts at Thainstone on 6th October, sold a total of 255 Store Cattle forward from Orkney Consignors. Bullocks Sold to a top of £1,820 (twice) gross for a pair of 616kg Simmental and a 616kg AA from Hilton Farm, Balfour, Shapinsay and to 326.7p per kg for a Pair of Simmentals from P & A Kemp, Hunchaquoy, Swannay. Heifers Sold to a top of £1,860 gross and 384.2p per kg for a 484kg Simmental from A T Annal & Son, Myres, South Ronaldsay.
At Exeter’s sale of 533 store cattle and stirks on 6th October, grand Simmental steers (28m) from Cyril Emmett in from Aylesbeare headed that section when reaching £1650 for a pair whilst another couple (20m) of the same breed eased to £1550 apiece for Douglas Horton and Family of Kingsbridge and younger sorts (17m) from Jason Northcott of Saltash ran to £1440. In the sale of 103 stirks, and asuckled calves, Simmental cross steers (9m) from MA Stephens up from Plymouth topped at £870.
At Frome’s store cattle sale on 6th October, young heifers were topped at £1040 by 16-month-old Simmentals from PJ&PF Samways, Swanage. The same vendor sold 16-month-old Simmental steers to £1278.
In a sale of cast cows and bulls at Aberdeen & Northern Marts Thainstone on 5th October, beef finished Cows (88) averaged £1581.76 and sold to £2090 for a 986kg Simmental from Towiemore, Keith.
At the store cattle sale at Hallworthy on 5th October, ID & SS Backway sold an outstanding run of Simmental x Steers to £1640 to feature in the top prices. Their next four Steers by the Simmental to £1540, with another trio of Simmental x Steers away at £1485 all around the 16-17 months. G & M Williams took the honours in the heifer section with a superb Simmental x Heifer deep bodied and well fleshed to £1400.
At Dungannon Farmers Mart on 4th October, an excellent entry of quality calves saw male calves sell to a top of £1400 for a 375kg Sim (372.00) presented by D Litter.
Holsworthy’s sale of 370 store cattle on 4th October saw another terrific entry. Top call was £1440 for a 18mth single suckled Simmental steer from Mr RE Dennis of Bradworthy who sold three other single suckled Simmentals at £1340 and one at £1320.
At Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 93 Head of Adult Breeding Cattle on 4th October. The annual show & sale of breeding cattle kindly sponsored by James Milne Chartered Accountants, was judged by Robbie & Jamie Adam, Ternemny Farm, Knock, who picked the Simmental Cross Heifer with an Autum born Limousin Heifer calf from E M Smith, Towiemore, Keith as Champion and which sold to £4000 too W J Jack & Sons, Woodend. The reserve champion went again to E M Smith, Towiemore for a Simmental Cross Heifer with an Autum born Limousin Bull calf which sold at £4050 too I D Stewart, Reisgill. The top price of the sale today was £4200 which also went to E M Smith, Towiemore for a Simmental Cross Heifer with an Autum born Limousin Bull calf which was also purchased by I D Stewart, Reisgill.
On 4th October, United Auctions, Stirling sold 1666 store cattle & young bulls. Young Bulls sold to £1750 for a SIMX from Dunolliebeg, and £1750 from Innerwick. OTM bulls sold to £2190 for a Sim from Fernie Mill. At Melton Mowbray’s sale of stores and breeding cattle on 4th October, 14-month-old Simmental heifers from Emma Long led the store heifer trade when selling to £1385.
Wooler Mart held their annual Show & Sale of Store Cattle and Autumn born cattle, competing for The Bobby Robinson and The Spence Cowans Trophy, on 3rd October. Topping the day’s trading was Duncan J Ord, Chatton Park with a thumping Sim.x Steer at £1840.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 199 Calves and Stirks at their weekly sale on 3rd October at Ayr. Bullock stirks sold to a top of £1060 for a Simmental Cross off Messrs Miller, Baidlandhill. In-calf cows sold to a top of £1550 for a Simmental from Roddinghead.
On Monday 2nd October at Rugby Farmers Mart’s weekly sale, the trade for bulls was topped at £2290 for a 954kg Simmental from CH Evans & Son.
Within Bakewell Market’s weekly sale on 2nd October, the OTM bulls were led by a 4-year-old Simmental bull at £2380 from BD&JH Ponsonby, Tideswell Moor.
It’s a huge well done to John and Bridget Olds, Bosahan Farm, Falmouth, Cornwall, who prevailed over some seventy calves representing eight breeds, to win the Overall Supreme Championship at the Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show with their stylish heifer calf Bosahan Paloma Estelle (P). For good measure, and on a top show day for the herd, the young bull Bosahan Nightfall (P) won the Senior Calf Continental Championship. The annual event was again held at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on Saturday 21st October.
Regular supporters of this prestigious calf show, this is the fourth occasion that the Bosahan herd has won the Simmental Championship following wins in 2012, 2014, and 2018. This year was however the herds first Continental Championships, having stood Reserve twice previously, and first Interbreed Overall Supreme. Way to go!
Judging the continental section was Robert Tremayne, of the noted Marne Charolais herd, who put up Bosahan Paloma Estelle (P) as Simmental Champion, and then Junior & Overall Continental Champion, giving her the nod over Bosahan Nightfall P who won the Senior Calf Continental Champion (October 2022 – December 2022). Come the Overall Championship the Native and Continental Champions went before the ‘new’ judge Mr James Eustice, a South Devon breeder who is also the Show President, and he duly tapped out Bosahan Paloma Estelle (P) as the Overall Supreme Champion.
January 2023 born, Bosahan Paloma Estelle (P), a heterozygous polled heifer, is by the stock bull Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) EX92, and is out of Bosahan Estelle Alesha EX 91 by the herd’s noted and influential sire Skerrington Armada. Estelle Alesha EX91 goes back to one of the Bosahan foundation cows Beanhill Penny, purchased at the Society’s 2006 Bristol Sale, and has been a consistent breeding female in the herd.
Commenting Bridget Olds said: “We’ve had a terrific day and are delighted to have won the two Continental Championships and the Overall Supreme for the first time, and against such strong competition in the Simmental classes and from other breeds. Paloma Estelle has a tremendous temperament and we only weaned her at the end of September and halter broke her thereafter. We think she’s a very stylish heifer who has length, is good on her plates with a neat tail setting, and is correct on her feet and legs. It was her showing debut and she handled that so well and just had that little bit of sparkle and presence in the ring. Paloma Estelle is the only daughter of Boshan Estelle Alesha that we have and as such she will be retained in the herd.” The Bosahan herd presently comprises of twenty-seven breeding females and has also been recently judged as the Best Overall herd in the Cornwall Club and South West Club Herd competitions this year.
‼️ With similar breeding, the October 2022 born Bosahan Nightfall (P) is also by Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and is out of Bosahan Flirty Tresor EX 90, another Skerrington Armada daughter. Bred by AG Borthwick, Perth, Kinclaven Infusion (P) was purchased at Stirling in February 2019. Since then he has stood Reserve Male Champion at the Royal Cornwall Show. Some of Infusion’s first crop of calves were offered at the Bosahan Herd’s May 2022 reduction sale at Exeter with a November 2020 son Bosahan Libertine selling for 4600gns, and a December 2020 maiden heifer Bosahan Lamorna Harriet Bow selling for 3200gns. Highlighting the day, the October 2021 bull calf at foot Bosahan Merlin P broke the market record when selling with his dam Bosahan Jade Magic Baby for a cracking 7000gns.
A further well done to the Olds on a top day at the Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show, and well done to all of the Simmental breeders for putting on another fantastic breed promotion!
A big thank you to Debbie’s Designs Photography https://www.debbiesdesignsphotography.co.uk/ for supplying the picture of Bosahan Paloma Estelle (P).
• Delfur double up in the Overall & Junior Championships • Springfield take Senior Championship and Overall Reserve • 60 Simmentals entered at Youngstock Show
Following hard on the heels of a record breaking sale day at Stirling, Simmental breeders turned their attention just four days later to the Simmental Youngstock Show hosted by the North West Simmental Club and British Simmental Cattle Society, and held within the Borderway Agri Expo event at Carlisle.
Supreme & Junior Champion Delfur Nifty
After some fantastic classes featuring a high quality entry, the judge for the day Heather Duff of the noted Pitmudie herd, Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus, tapped out the classy heifer Delfur Nifty from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour as the day’s Overall Champion having earlier awarded her the Junior Championship. In a cracking day for the Delfur herd, first time exhibitors at the Simmental Youngstock Show, Delfur Weigela followed her stablemate through from the class to lift the Reserve Junior Championship. Quite a debut day for the Delfur herd and with the cattle being shown by well-known herd manager Garry Patterson.
Commenting on her choice of Champion the judge Heather Duff said: “My Champion is just a super Simmental heifer. She’s very stylish and eye catching with a lot of breed character, she has great lines to her and is I think a very modern Simmental female with a big future ahead of her.”
November 2022 born, Delfur Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. The Reserve Junior Champion, Delfur Weigela N12 is also by Ballymoney Larry and is out of Delfur Weigela E12, an Auchorachan ACDC daughter. Just for good measure the two then teamed up at the end of the day to lift the Simmental Pairs Championship!
Speaking afterwards Garry Patterson, who took over as Delfur herd manager in May last year, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this event from within such a big entry and across a really high standard of Simmental cattle. The Borderway Agri Expo is a great industry event and presents a real opportunity to build the Delfur profile and showcase cattle in the herd. I think a lot of these two heifers but against the level of competition you can never expect to or anticipate winning the Overall Supreme and Juniro Champion & Reserve, so a cracking day.” From here both heifers have been entered to the Stars of the Future and LiveScot events. Ballymoney Larry, one of the first Saltire Impressive sons at sales, was a bull purchased for 9000gns prior to Garry joining Delfur and has left some terrific calves before being sadly lost to injury. The present herd sire starting to leave progeny is the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum who was purchased in October last year. The Delfur herd presently comprises of 120 breeding females and Garry says a forward aim is simply working on the breeding females and keeping the quality high: “We’re trying to capture the very best of female genetics and to build on that. Some embryo work and possibly flushing the mothers of these two heifers will really help with that.”
The Simmental Youngstock Show saw a fantastic entry of sixty cattle, the events largest to date by some distance, and with entries from nineteen breeders ranging from the north of Scotland down through to the south of England, and from Wales! Of the general show, Heather Duff went on to say: “I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors for putting on such a great show. There was a depth in quality in the classes that really showcased young Simmental cattle with a lot of potential. It made my judging job a very enjoyable one and I would like to thank both the North West Club and the Society for inviting me to judge this prestigious event.” Along with her parents Arthur and Jennifer, Heather aims to build the Pitmudie herd up to fifty calving cows to run alongside their 110-strong commercial herd. No strangers themselves to the showring the Pitmudie herd have enjoyed a terrific show summer themselves with a number of wins including at Fettercairn, and Kirriemuir Shows respectively.
Reserve Supreme & Senior Champion Springfield Neptune
Having won the Overall Supreme, and the Reserve Supreme & Reserve Junior Championships in two previous visits, Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik was back at it again and this time winning the Overall Senior Championship and Overall Reserve with the April 2022 born Springfield Neptune. Neptune is by the herd’s 6000gns stock bull Islavale Jabba, and is out of Springfield Ivory, a Shiloh Freedom daughter. From here Springfield Neptune will be aimed at the February 2024 Stirling Bull Sale. Islavale Jabba was purchased for 6000gns in 2020 and his first bulls at Stirling last year averaged 5000gns and with a good run of heifers levelling at 4500gns. Springfield Major, the champion at Borderway in 2021, and also a Jabba son, sold for 7500gns at Stirling in February this year. Another strong day’s showing at Borderway on Friday saw the Springfield herd pick up two firsts, three seconds, and a third in addition to their Overall Reserve Championship win.
Reserve Senior Champion Braegarrie Nadia
Taking the Reserve Senior Championship was the classy heifer Braegarrie Nadia from Lindsay and Robert Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan, Ayrshire. This April born heifer is by Woodhall Ferrari and is out of Braegarrie Julia, a Keeldrum Geronimo daughter. In August this year Nadia had been part of the winning Pair at the Scottish Simmental National Show held at Dumfries. At Carlisle the Braegarrie herd again featured in the Pairs when winning the Reserve with the bull Braegarrie Nightrider, an Overhill House Link son, and Braegarrie Nigella a heifer by the same sire. In another strong day’s showing the Braegarrie herd took three firsts, and a second along with their Reserve titles.
Other class winners on the day came from the Pistyll herd of GA & HM Francis; the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons; Cameron Jackson’s Future herd; and the Fishpool herd of Tom & Jenny Hassall.
A massive thank you is extended to all breeders who supported the 2023 Simmental Youngstock Show and put on another fantastic promotion and showcase of Simmental cattle with forward potential.
Class 1 – Bull born on or between 01.01.2021 & 31.03.2022 No entries
Class 2 – Bull born on or between 01.04.2022 & 30.07.2022 1 – Lot 701: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEPTUNE s. Islvala Jabba 2 – Lot 702: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 704: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NUGGET s. Denizes Hamish 4 – Lot 704A: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NEFF s. Denizes Hamish
Class 3 – Bull Born on or between 01.08.2022 and 15.09.2022 1 – Lot 707: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NEWTON s. Denizes Hamish
Class 4 – Bull born on or between 16.09.2022 & 31.12.2022 1 – Lot 708: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NAVIGATOR s. Overhill House Link 2 – Lot 712: DL & Currie BRAEGARRIE NIGHTRIDER s. Overhill House Link 3 – Lot 713: R & L Storersmith STORERSMITH NAVARONE s. Clonagh Latin Lover 4 – Lot 710: R & L Storersmith STORERSMITH NEWTON s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Class 5 – Bull born on or between 01.01.2023 & 15.03.2023 1 – Lot 719: GA & HM Francis PISTYLL PABLO s. Pitmudie Lancelot 2 – Lot 718: Andrew Ryder RYDEN PADDY POWER s. Sacombe Juggernaut 3 – Lot 720: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS PACQUAIO s. Auchorachan Kennedy
Pistyll Pablo
Class 6 – Bull Born on or after 16.03.2023 1 – Lot 722: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD PERRY s. Islavale Jabba
Class 7: Heifer on or between 01.01.2022 & 31.03.2022 1 – Lot 726: Future Livestock FUTURE NEW GIRL s. Banwy Bonzo 2 – Lot 724: Barlow Brothers DENIZES MELODY 48 s. Blackford Galaxy 3 – Lot 723: Nick Edmondson CRAKESIDE NINA KUTZ s. Edenbank Iceman
Future New Girl
Class 8 – Heifer born on or between 01.04.2022 & 30.07.2022 1 – Lot 728: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NADIA s. Woodhall Ferrari 2 – Lot 731: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEXT GENERATION s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 729: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NITA s. Islavale Jabba 4 – Lot 730: Barlow Brothers DENIZES CADETTE 44TH s. Denizes Hamish
Class 9 – Heifer born on or between 01.08.2022 & 15.09.2022 1 – Lot 736: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NIGELLA s. Overhill House Link 2 – Lot 737: Barlow Brothers DENIZES MELODY 53 s. Hiltonstown Lorenzo 3 – Lot 735: PA & DM Cade CADE FIFI’S NALA s. Sacombe Jameson 4 – Lot 776: Frank Gwynne CASTLEWIGG RINGLEADER GIRLIE 3 s. Blackford Ringleader
Braegarrie Nigella
Class 10 – Heifer born on or between 16.09.2022 & 31.12.2022 1 – Lot 742: Delfur Farms DELFUR NIFTY s. Ballymoney Larry 2 – Lot 741: Delfur Farms DELFUR WEIGELA N12 s. Ballymoney Larry 3 – Lot 743: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NAP s. Newbiemains Daz 4 – Lot 744: GA & HM Francis PISTYLL NERYS s. Anatrim Bodybuilder
Class 11 – Heifer born on or between 01.01.2023 & 15.03.2023 1 – Lot 749: T & J Hassall FISHPOOL POPPY s. Newbiemains Kalypso 2 – Lot 751: JF & C Saunders MAIDENLANDS POLARINE 4P (P) s. Derrycallaghan Kingkong 3 – Lot 754: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS PRETTY WOMAN s. Auchorachan Kennedy 4 – Lot 750: PA & SM Cade CADE KATHLEEN’S PRADA s. Sacombe Jameson
Class 12 – Heifer born on or after 16.03.2023 1 – Lot 758: Mr D C Houldey MANOR PARK PATRICA s. Omorga Murphy 2 – Lot 759: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD PEARL s. Islavale Jabba
• 46,000gns is a new UK breed record for a Simmental bull sold at auction • 53 bulls (+8) average £7594, up by £36 on the year, and a new breed record sale average • Simmental only breed to sell more bulls on the year • 12 bulls sell for 10,000gns and more, as bull sale grosses £422,606
Simmental records were sent tumbling at Stirling as the April 2022 born Overhill House Neo from Over Hill House, Armadale, West Lothian sold for 46,000gns to lead the Simmental Bull Sale at United Auctions, Stirling on Monday 23rd October. The top price set a new breed record for a Simmental sold in the UK, and with Overhill House Neo being purchased by Reece & Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire.
Overhill House Neo 46,000gns
In addition to the new top price mark, fifty-three Simmental bulls sold to average a mighty £7594 which in itself is a new UK breed record sale average and eclipsing the previous figure of £7558 set at the corresponding fixture last year.
Overhill House Neo is one of the first sons to be offered at sale by the herds 26,000gns stock bull Pistyll Kingsman who was purchased at Stirling in February 2021, and is out of the Hillcrest Jerome ET daughter Seepa Daffodil. On the previous day, and by common consent in front of one of the biggest ring side crowds seen at a Simmental pre-sale show, Overhill House Neo had been tapped out as the Overall Supreme Champion by the judge Hazel McNee of the noted Finlarg herd at Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee. Commenting after her day in the middle, Hazel said; “I was really delighted with my Champion, I think he’s a Simmental bull just full of quality and he really stood out for me. He’s easy fleshed, very correct, walks extremely well, and has tremendous length. He’s the dark colour which I like, and had more than a wee bit of that showy presence I was looking for.” Of the show of Simmental bulls generally Hazel went on to say; “It was a tremendous show with a lot of very modern bulls suited to the market and offering choice for both commercial beef producers and pedigree breeders. The depth in the classes certainly made by job a very enjoyable one.”
Overhill House Neo now heads to Keith to join the 80-cow Backmuir herd and speaking after the sale an equally delighted Reece Simmers said: “We’ve been working away over this last year or more quite well with homebred sires and all the time have been keeping an eye out for a bull that has that little bit of ‘extra special’ about him. As such we’re really pleased to have been able to buy Overhill House Neo and just think he’s a great example of a modern Simmental bull. Neo’s full of style and breed character. He’s got size and power, is full of length, and has a quality back end with easy muscling. We like the breeding on the dam line and he’s a total outcross which will bring new breeding lines to the Backmuir herd.”
Of paying the record price for a Simmental bull to date Reece Simmers went on to say: “The Simmental breed is going from strength to strength and we’ve seen the increasingly strong sales over this last couple of years. Overhill House Neo is just full of quality and breeding, and if he brings that through into his progeny then we feel that he’ll be a value investment for the Backmuir herd over a number of years.” In the sale Backmuir enjoyed a good day themselves when selling two bulls at 10,000gns and 7000gns respectively.
It’s been a strong year of performance for the Overhill House herd at shows and sales and speaking after the sale Richard McCulloch said: “Overhill House Neo has been a special calf from day one and has just always had such a presence about him and a tremendous nature. He’s just continued to do well throughout the summer and he’s the best bull we’ve bred to date. You never have the expectation to come to a sale like Stirling, with the standard of bulls that’s always there, and come away with a record price of 46,000gns. It’s tremendous but very humbling at the same time. The whole team at Overhill House is delighted that he’s gone to a top herd like Backmuir, and we wish Reece, Andrew and Philip every success with him.”
Of his general breeding aims Richard went on to say: “We just continue to keep things simple by being selective, culling hard, and maintaining the quality as high as we can. There’s a lot of hard work, time and effort goes into pedigree breeding and my stockman Scott Gilmour, and Brian Wills who helps us, play a big part in that.” In addition to the top price, Overhill House Nestor made 13,000gns on the day and with him also being a Pistyll Kingsman son. Further Overhill House bulls made 12,000gns and 4500gns. It’s been a tremendous year for the Overhill House herd with the now sale record price sitting alongside them having the all-breeds top price at the May Stirling Sale; the leading price at the May Carlisle Sale a week later; and lifting the Male Championship at the Scottish National Show in August at Dumfries!
It was a terrific all-round Simmental sale with the day seeing a new UK record for a Simmental bull; a new record for a Simmental female; a new record sale average for the breed; and with Simmentals being the only breed to sell more bulls on the year! This sale performance was warmly acknowledged by the British Simmental Cattle Society President Norman Robson, who said: “The breeders have put forward some tremendous bulls and with a real choice for commercial producers and pedigree breeders, and some record sale figures have been achieved which I think reflects that. In the forward industry with a pressure on costs, there really is going to be a premium on efficiency and I think that’s recognised by commercial producers and what has driven the Simmental sales in this last couple of years. Prior to this sale we published independent data, provided by AHDB, that showed Simmentals give you more both maternally and terminally. Industry leading at age at slaughter whether sired by a Simmental or out of a Simmental dam, significant reduction in finishing costs, and lower emissions meeting environmental challenges. Add that to the breeds well established maternal qualities of easy and regular calving, milk, fertility, and longevity and it’s just good economics for beef producers.”
Corskie Naqus 14,000gns
In all, twelve bulls on the day made five figures or more and with the second top priced bull being the 14,000gns Corskie Naqus 22 from Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. This March 2022 born bull had stood second in his class to the Reserve Intermediate Champion in the pre-sale show. Sired by Drumagarner Hughes, who has had bulls at sale up to 13,000gns, and out of the Dirnanean Bradley daughter, Corskie Klarasch, this bull with good figures for calving ease and maternal (milk) sold to AH Smith who runs a significant commercial enterprise of 350 Angus and Simmental cows, and also the 15 cow Arkland pedigree herd at Low Arkland Farm, Castle Douglas. Speaking after the sale Alan Smith said: “This Corskie bull just had a lot of style and we liked his back breeding and performance figures. He’ll work in both the pedigree and commercial herd and we hope he will bring his qualities to both.”
Presenting a tremendous pen of bulls and enjoying another fantastic sale was the prolific Islavale herd of WS Stronach & Son, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. Ten bulls sold for a collective £104,685, and to average an incredible £10,469. Six of the bulls made over five figures, and just for good measure the herd picked up the Reserve Overall; Junior Championship; Reserve Intermediate; and had five first places and three seconds in the pre-sale show. Quite a day!
Islavale Nugget 13,000gns
From the Islavale pen, two bulls made 13,000gns. The first of these was Islavale Nugget who had stood third in his class to the Overall Champion. One of the first sons at sale from the herd sire Coose Lincoln EX90, this April born bull is out of the Curhaeen Bandit daughter Islavale Ena EX91. With tremendous figures putting him in the top 1% for both Terminal Sire Index, and Self Replacing Index, Islavale Nugget was purchased by commercial producer and repeat Islavale buyer GM Mitchell & Son, Fernie Mill, Cupar, Fife. At this same 13,000gns price was Islavale Newton who was the first prize bull in class seven. April 2022 born and sired by the noted Ranfurly Confederate, this heifer’s calf is out of Islavale Kathy, a Corskie Highlander daughter. With top 10% figures for Calving Ease, and top 1% for Self Replacing Index, this bull was another to go for commercial use and to the south west of Scotland when selling to W Barbour, Carsegowan Farm, Dumfries.
Islavale Newton 13,000gnsOverhill House Nestor 13,000gns
Also selling at 13,000gns was another from Richard McCulloch in the shape of the previously referred to Overhill Nestor. April 2022 born this bull is another by Pistyll Kingsman, the same sire as the new record holder, and is out of Overhill House Eve, an Annick Capercaillie daughter. Another bull in the teens and going commercially, Overhill House Nestor was purchased by Glass & Smith, Mill of Fowlis, Alford, Aberdeenshire. As a footnote the prices meant that the first two sons of Pistyll Kingsman at sale had averaged just under £31,000!
Islavale Northstar 12,000gns
Back to the Islavale pen and Islavale Northstar made 12,000gns when selling to the Coltfield herd of Cameron Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Forres, Moray. Got by AI this April 2022 born bull, out of the same class as the Overall Champion, is by Curaheen Giant and is out of Islavale Hope EX 91. Commenting Cameron Maciver said: “My son James and myself saw the bull on farm in May and we liked him then and also the Wolfstar Elusive breeding he has on the dam line. He’s a bull we think can add a little mor size into our calves. The plan from here is to put him with around 10 cows towards the end of November.” Also from Islavale and at the same price of 12,000gns was the winner of class five, and the Reserve Intermediate Champion, Islavale Nico. Another of the first sons at sale by Coose Lincoln EX 90, Nico is out of Islavale Fashion EX 92, a Curaheen Bandit daughter who previously bred the 8000gns Islavale Loki the top priced bull at Thainstone last year. Purchasing Islavale Nico was D & G Manson for their 140 cow Simmental based commercial herd at Brodieshill, Alves, Forres. Commenting, Robert Manson said: “We had followed Nico through the summer having had several visits to the Islavale herd. At that time we had seen some Coose Lincoln calves on the ground and were especially impressed by the heifer calves length and shape. We’ll aim to put Nico to four or five cows in six weeks time. He’ll have an easy winter and will hopefully have a bit more to do in the spring. There were a lot of good Simmental bulls on the day that made 10k and more and plenty of choice for the commercial buyers.” Earlier this year, Brodieshill hosted a high-quality commercial Open Day on behalf of the British Simmental Cattle Society.
Islavale Nico 12,000gnsOverhill House Niko 12,000gns
Securing their third five figure price on the day was Overhill House Niko who made 12,000gns when selling to the commercial herd of J Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Arriving with a show record behind him, Overhill House Niko was the Overall Male Champion and Junior Champion at this years high profile Scottish Simmental National Show at Dumfries. At Stirling’s pre-sale show Niko stood second in his class to his stablemate and the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. Entirely homebred, he is by Overhill House Enhance, a Banwy T-Rex son, and is out of Overhill House Keelo. A stylish, dark red bull, Overhill House Niko carried a top 1% figure for Maternal (Milk).
Hemingford Nelson 11,000gns
Up from Cambridgeshire was the lengthy and stylish Hemingford Nelson from James & Rachael Griffin’s fifteen cow herd at Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon, who took first place in class three before securing a fantastic Reserve Senior Championship. This March 2022 born bull is by the herd stock sire Saltire Jaguar, who was purchased for 9000gns at Stirling in February 2020 and is out of Hemingford Jewel, a Corskie Dreamer daughter. Nelson made 11,000gns and will now reacclimatise when moving north to the Auchorachan pedigree herd of D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Speaking after the sale James Griffin said: “We are working away and trying to bring forward good bulls. This is a big step up for us and we are ‘blown away’ to sell a bull to 11,000gns and to such a renowned Scottish herd.”
Islavale Nemo 11,000gns
The run of Islavale bulls continued with the April 2022 born Islavale Nemo selling for 11,000gns to H J Warnock of Ballydoonan Road, Carrowdore, Co Down who runs just under fifty cows in his pedigree Templefyn herd. Another by Coose Lincoln EX 90, Islavale Nemo is out of Islavale Bramble 2 VG 88, a Curaheen Bandit daughter, and sported excellent figures being in the top 1% Self Replacing Index. Commenting John Warnock said: “We purchased Islavale Illusive in February 2019 for 14,000gns and he’s done well for us. I think this is another top bull with length, width and good figures behind him.” Also at 11,000gns was the winner of class nine, the Junior Champion and Overall Reserve Champion in the form of Islavale Neuk. This April 2022 born bull is by the herd’s well-known sire Shacon Hannibal 16 (ET) EX 94, and is out of the eight-year-old Islavale Gretel EX 90.
Islavale Neuk 11,000gnsJudge Hazel McNee
Commenting on her choice of Reserve Champion, the judge Hazel McNee said: “This was just another very good solid Simmental bull who had excellent conformation, was very square from behind, carried a good top line. Purchasing this bull was well-known Orkney bull buyer Liam Muir of Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney. Orkney buyers were again to the fore with eight bulls sold on the day heading to the islands.
Backmuir Nuckles 10,000gns
The final bull to make 10,000gns, and who stood second in the last class to the day’s Reserve Overall Champion, was Backmuir Knuckles from the Simmers family. May 2022 born this bull is by the homebred Backmuir King who stood as Male Champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show. Knuckles is out of Starline Lorette who is a Kilbride Farm Duke daughter. Buying this bull was the well-known and high profile Corskie herd of Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Corskie Nohow 9,500gns
Corskie was again to the fore when selling the day’s Senior Champion and winner of Class One Corskie Nohow (P), a bull with length, power, and who is heterozygous polled, for 9500gns to repeat buyer A Nicolson, Relugas Mains Farm, Dunphail, Moray. January 2022 born this bull is out of Corskie Jubliee VG 87, and is one of the first sons from Rathnashan Kellog’s EX 94 who was purchased as a young calf from Southern Ireland. Kellog’s is the sire of Corskie Miami this year’s Junior Champion at the Royal Highland.
OTHER LEADING PRICES 9,000gns Lot 307 Kilbride Farm Neville PP sold to John M Sutherland, Sibminster & Stainland, Thurso, Caithness 9,000gns Lot 318 Jaw Nato sold to G R Morton, Church Farm, Gamlesby, Penrith 9,000gns Lot 373 Islavale New York sold to A & J Craig, Craigton Castle, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire 8,500gns Lot 349 Islavale Norman sold to Robert Bell & Partners, Craigo, Levenview, Westhall, Kinross 7,500gns Lot 332 Kersknowe Neptune sold to J Gunn, Carsgoe, Halkirk, Caithness 7,000gns Lot 377 Backmuir Nemisis sold to Douganhill Farms, Orchardton Mains, Palnackie, Dumfries
Overhill House Neo with the Backmuir & Overhill House teamsChampion & Reserve Champion presentationSenior Champion presentationJunior Champion presentationIntermediate Champion presentationGroup of three
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