Thank you to everyone in the year who has forwarded snippets of Simmentals topping commercial sale sections at markets around the country. We’ve been delighted to share them and highlight the efficiency, added value, and profitability of Simmental cattle.
Through the year we’ve majored on showing the data from AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations which 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. Put it together and it’s a package of efficiency and economics and commercial producers are recognising that Simmental genetics gives you more.
We’re playing a little catch up and the following market briefs are for the month of November: At Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of prime cattle at Thainstone on 30th November, prime bullocks averaged 270.8p and sold to 297p per kg for a 550kg Simmental Cross from Crannabog, Rothienorman and £2119.05 gross for a 765kg Simmental Cross from Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. On the same day and a sale of cast cows and bulls, boning cows averaged £759.41 and sold to £1090 for a 702kg Simmental Cross.
Oswestry’s sale of calves on 29th November saw a nice selection of mainly younger calves. Leading the way was Simmental bulls to £270 from J R James & Son, Church Farm. In the weanlings section, Simmental bulls aged 2-5 months sold to £500 from IG & GM Evans & Son, Pendugwn.
At Stirling, United Auctions on 29th November sold 798 store cattle & young bulls. Also 267 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Young Bulls sold to £1900 for a SIMX from Innerwick. Out of Spec averaged 206.95p and to £1750 for a SIMX from Forestmill.
At Dungannon farmers Mart on 29th November, a good entry of steers cleared to a height of £1990 for an 850kg Sim (235.00) presented by S Lees. Dropped Calves met a brisk trade to peak at £400 for a Fleckvieh Bull presented by J Kelso.
On Wednesday 29th November Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly sale of bulls and weaned cattle at Carlisle. Simmental bulls sold to £1130 from Messrs Skelton, Waterloo to feature in the top prices. On the same day at a store sale, dairy bred cattle sold to £1490 for Fleckvieh from Messrs Ritchie, Croftheads Annan.
At Craig Wilson’s Ayr Market on 28th November, Beef Cows peaked at £1580 for a Simmental Cross from J Howie, Auchentibbert.
Caledonian Marts, Stirling, had forward 417 Store Cattle at their fortnightly sale on 27th November. Bullocks averaged 265ppkg selling to 322ppkg for a pen of Simmentals from A C Brodie, Ballard, Isle of Coll. C&D Auction Marts held their fortnightly Sale of Store Cattle in Dumfries on 27th November. 194 Forward. Heifers sold to a top of £1385 for Simms from Potterland.
At Sedgemoor’s store cattle sale on 25h November, Simmental steers x 4 sold to a day’s joint top price of £1605 from RE James & Partners.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts on 24th November at Thainstone sold 528 store cattle, young bulls and young and weaned calves. “Store cattle demand continues to be very strong for all classes with many buyers going home empty handed.” Bullocks (220) sold to £1920 gross twice, firstly for a 692kg Simmental Cross, and a 724kg Simmental Cross both from North Crannoch, Crossroads. Heifers (253) averaged 280.7p and sold to £1880 gross for a Pen of Three 586kg Simmental Crosses from Sauchenbush, Echt.
Ludlow Market’s sale of store cattle on 24th November saw strong cattle definitely at a marked premium, and in the heifers topping at £1390 for Simmental X’s.
The monthly sale of beef breeding cattle (144) on 24th November at Exeter saw the top of the day being £1350 for a Simmental x heifer with another similar outfit at £1320, from Erth Barton Farming Partnership, Saltash.
On 23rd November, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 206 Cows and Bulls at Thainstone. Beef Feeding Cows (110) averaged £1009.54 and sold to £1310 for a 648kg Simmental cross from Gladhill, Garmouth.
At NWA’s J36 Crooklands Livestock Auction on 23rd of November a sale of calves and stirks saw steers sold to £715 for a Simmental x from JR Pye, Stalmine.
In a sale of weanlings at Market Drayton on 23rd November, the best at £360 was a four-month-old Simmental bull. On 22nd November at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre’s store cattle sale, well bred wintering cattle were more plentiful and easy to place to a top of £1510 (580kg) for Simmental crosses from RT Evans, Crossways. HG Bendall, Lydney sold Simmental crosses to £1500 (550kg).
At Melton Mowbray on 22nd November, the best of the weanlings was to £770 for Simmental steers from PA Clowes & Partners, with KW Till selling to £750 and £730 for Limousin and Simmental steers.
In a sale of store cattle at Market Drayton on 22nd November, yarding cattle topped at £1,610 for 642kg Simmental steers from Mrs Pam McPhillips. 574kg Simm steers from FH Davies & Co made £1500.
Truro’s sale of store cattle on 22nd November saw the trade for year old heifers led by Simmentals at £835 from Messrs AR&TS Hooper, Truro; Simmentals from Messrs NH Semmens & Son,, St Levan, Penzance topped the two-year-old heifer section at £1205, and with the same vendor leading the two year old steer section with Simmentals at £1350.
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held their weekly sale of cast cattle, store and breeding stock on Monday 20th November. In the store ring, the best of a run of ten-month-old Simmental’s up from W P Livestock, Suffolk made £1000 to feature in the day’s leading prices.
In a sale of 191 rearing calves at Gisburn on 19th November, Simmental x bull calves led the breed averages at £400 and selling to a top Simmental price of £420 from J&RJ Parsons. In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 18th November, In calf cows sold to highs of £1080 for a Simmental x cow from D Bird & T Bird.
At Ballymena on 17th November, suckler stock sold to £2020 for a Simmental cow with bull calf from W Ferguson, Newtownabbey who also sold a Simm and heifer calf to £1780.
At Ludlow’s TB Restricted Sale of store cattle on 17th November, strong types were in the most demand with Simmental X steers topping the sale at £1480.
At Huntly on 16th November, United Auctions held a sale of Store, Breeding & OTMs cattle. OTMS sold to a top gross of £1680 for a SimX from Claymires, Rothiemay.
On 16th November, Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling, sold 59 Bullocks, Heifers and Young Bulls, and 58 OTM Cattle. Also 27 Calves & Stirks. Bulls (Under 30 months) sold to 295ppkg for a Simmental from Dalchirla Farms, Muthill.
Within a store cattle sale at Hallworthy on 16th November, the section of well over 100 suckled calves saw a big top price of £1190 for some outstanding Simmental steers from J Buckland, Penzance (pictured). The same vendor topped the heifers with a Simmental calf at £750.
At Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of Prime Cattle on 16th November, Young Bulls averaged 248.5p and sold to £2475 gross for a 1100kg Simmental from Auchorachan, Glenlivet.
At Monmouthshire Livestock Centre on 15th November the section of feeding/breeding bulls was topped at £920 for a 7-month Simmental from TM Thomas, Nash.
On 15th November, and a sale of prime cattle at Truro, the top gross price was £1832.50 for a 733kgs Simmental steer from Messrs EA&AR Thomas of Sevenmilestone, Truro.
At Ballymena on 14th November, store bullocks up to 500kgs were topped at £1270 by a 490kg Simm from R Hood, Broughshane.
At Hexham on 14th November, and a sale of cast cows and OTM, top grossing cow came from Mr R H Frater, Moorlaws with a Simmental x cow cashing at £1669.35.
Whitland Livestock Market on 14th November saw another good entry of 219 calves forward with a strong demand. Top price Bull was £500 for a Simmental from Jones, Peniel.
A Show of 70 quality cattle were presented at Swatragh Livestock Mart on 13th November which resulted in an outstanding trade for all stock on offer. Heifers sold to a top price of £1,240 at £2.43 per kg for a 510kg Sim from a Limavady producer.
A sale of barren cows and cull bulls at Sedgemoor on 13th November saw a grand cream-coloured Simmental cross cow take the top price accolade (ppk) when rising to 179.5ppk, and £1597.55, for NF Newman.
C&D Auction Marts held their fortnightly Sale of Store Cattle in Dumfries on 13th November, 280 forward. Heifers per kilo led by a Sim at 290.9p from Hartbush.
On 15th November at Stirling, United Auctions sold 873 store cattle & young bulls. Bullocks (446) – averaged 265.90p and to £1840 gross for a 694g SIMX from Barbarafield.
Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling, had forward 434 Store Cattle at their fortnightly sale on 13th November. Heifers averaged 251ppkg selling to 285ppkg for a pen of Simmentals from J Filshie, Lyleston, Cardross.
SIMMENTAL CROSS COW AND CALF SELLS TO £3400 AT THAINSTONE Simmental cattle topped the sections at Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of breeding cattle on 10th November. Heifers with Bull Calf averaged £2124.28 per head & sold to £3100 for a Simmental Cross Heifer and calf from South Blachrie, Fyvie. Heifers with Heifer Calf averaging £1854 per head & sold to £2700 for a Simmental Heifer and calf from South Blachrie. Cow with Bull Calf averaged £2735.71 per head & sold to £3400 for a Simmental Cross Cow and calf from Soundmoor, Mulben. In Calf Cow averaged £1394.44 per head and Sold to £2020 for a Simmental cross from Soundmoor.
On 10th November, a large number of stores at Exeter saw over 400 head penned and sold. Store steers topped at £1620 given for a couple of grand Simmental bred bullocks from Cyril Emmett of Aylesbeare, followed by similar others off the same farm at £1610 and £1600. Younger Simmental steers from George Hill of Tavistock reached £1100.
On 10th November at Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of 684 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves at Thainstone, bulls sold to 307p per kg for a pen of three Simmental crosses from South Auquhorthies, Oldmeldrum.
At Frome’s sale of store cattle on 10th November, a fast trade for forward Continentals selling to a joint top of £1345 for a Simmental from Manor of Cadland Estate.
4-MONTH-OLD SIMM CALF SELLS TO £740 AT BALLYMENA In a sale of Breeding bulls, dropped calves, and weanlings at Ballymena on 10th November. 301 lots in the calf ring sold well to £740 for a 4-month-old Simmental heifer from a local producer. Bull calves sold to £700 for a 3-month-old Simmental also from a local producer.
At Thainstone on 9th November, Aberdeen and Northern Marts held a sale of prime cattle. Young Bulls averaged 211.8p and sold to £2172.80 gross for a 970kg Simmental from Cowfords Farm, New Pitsligo. 30 to 36 Month – Heifers averaged 258.2p and sold to 265p per kg and £1950.40 gross for a 736kg Simmental cross from Balladrum Farm, Durris.
On 8th November, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, sold 443 weaned and store calves, and 33 Adult head of breeding cattle. Heifers (158) averaged 228.3p per kg and sold to £1,800 gross for a 755kg Simmental cross from Kirkhill Farm, Calder.
At Truro’s prize sale of suckled calves on 8th November, the fourth in the season, the first prize winner in class two (heifer born after March 1st 2023) was a Simmental x which sold to £830 for Messrs BJ Tregoning & Son, Helston. The winner in class three (steers born 1st oct 2022 – 28th Feb 2023), was also a Simmental cross and which sold to £880 for PM & A Jewell of Penzance. Other strong prices saw Simmental x, in the up to seven months old section, sell to £850 for Messrs LEC White & Son, Penzance.
At Stirling on 8th November, United Auctions sold 984 store cattle & young bulls. Heifers (388) – averaged 259.01p and sold to £1835 for a 718kg SIMX from Neuk. Young Bulls (65) – averaged 261.46p and to £1460 for a SIMX from Neuk. On the same day and at a sale of 174 breeding cattle, in-calf cows were topped at £2550, and £2450 by SIMMS from Inglis, Briarlands.
Lawrie and Symington Ltd, Lanark, sold 608 Suckled Calves and Store Cattle at their 7th November sale. The store cattle trade, bullocks per kilo, was led by a Sim from Auchrobert at 319.4p. A Sim from Allanton made 312.5ppkg. At Whitland Mart on 7th November and a sale of 247 calves, the good numbers forward sold to a top price of £450 for a Simmental bull from Jones, Peniel whilst heifers topped at £380 again for a Simmental from the same producer.
At Ayr on 7th November, the trade for bulls was led at £1850 by a Simmental from East Merkland.
A seasonal show of over 70 quality cattle were presented at Swatragh Livestock Mart on Monday 6th November which resulted in a good trade for all stock on offer. Bullocks sold to a top price of £1,930 at £2.39/kg for a 808kg Sim from a Kilrea producer. An Ahoghill producer sold a Sim 660kg at £1,650 (£2.50/kg).
At Darlington on 6th November and a sale of cast cattle, store, and breeding stock, cast cattle dearer on the week and found a sharp trade throughout to level at 160ppk and £1083 per head. A super Simmental OTM heifer from G H Farms Ltd, Grange Hill, Bishop Auckland led the female’s per kilo when she sold for 240 pence.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Carmarthen on 6th November, a Sim cow with calf at foot from C & M A O Jenkins sold to £1480 and featured in the top prices. On the same day in a sale of weaned calves, Simx’s from Jones, Helygenlas sold to £1000.
At Rugby Farmers Mart on 6th November, R Ellis & Son topped in the lump and ppk with a Simmental Cow at 175ppk and £1523.
In a sale of 994 store cattle at Sedgemoor on 4th November, heifers peaked at £1685 for a Simmental from PH Symes & Son. The same vendors sold Simmental steers to £1700, the second top steer price.
At Thainstone on 3rd November, a total of 114 Store Cattle, Young Calves and Cast Cows were forward from Shetland Consignors at Aberdeen & Northern Marts. Heifers sold to a top of £1,660 and 285.2p per kg for a pair of 582kg Simmentals from M & T Thomson, Exnaboe.
At Huntly on 2nd November, United Auctions sold 323 Store, Breeding & OTM cattle. Heifers (149) sold to an average 277.2p per kg selling to 409p per kg for £1760 for SimX from Lyne of Linton, Sauchen.
On 3rd November at Frome livestock market’s store cattle sale, forward continentals were led by a super consignment of Simmental steers to £1520 for a heavy weight shapey steer from IA King.
At Dingwall on 2nd November, Dingwall & Highland Marts held a sale of store, breeding, and OTM cattle. Breeding cattle sold to £1,800 gross for a Simmental cross bull from Forest Lodge, Balmacara.
Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling, held their fortnightly sale of Calves and Stirks on Thursday 2nd November. Trade topped at £540 for a Simmental from W Glover, Cladville, Islay.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Whitland Mart on 2nd November, a pure Simmental from Picton, Boncath sold for £3045 to feature in the leading prices.
At Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of prime cattle on 2nd November at Thainstone, prime heifers averaged 251.8p and sold to 277p per kg and £1921.85 gross for a 665kg Simmental cross from Tullo of Garvock, Laurencekirk. Young Bulls averaged 229.1p and sold to £2216.10 gross for a 830kg Simmental from Birchfield, Midtown of Glass. On the same day at a sale of cast cows and bulls, Beef Finished Bulls averaged £1603.07 and sold to £1940 for a 1310kg Simmental from Sauchenbush, Echt. In a sale of cast cows and bulls from Orkney consignors, mature bulls sold to £1510 for a Simmental from I&K Tait, Ingsay, Swannay.
At Dingwall on 1st November, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd sold 273 adult head of breeding cattle. In calf cows (49) sold to £2,000 gross for a Simmental cross from 28 Stenscholl, Staffin.
On 1st November at Frome’s sale of prime cattle, steers from CHJ Atwell & Sons topped at 250p/kg grossing £1801 for a well fed R grade Simmental with others to 247p/kg and £1798.
A sale of calves at Oswestry on 1st November saw an excellent trade throughout with Simmental bulls from J R James & Son, Church Farm topping at £340, £335 (twice) & £320. The same vendor topped the heifers with Simmentals at £290.
• Pistyll Nightrider takes Reserve Championship as UK Simmental genetics feature strongly
Islavale Jabba
It’s a massive well done to Gavin Brown of the Springfield Simmental herd, Springfield Farm, Penicuik who has won the 2023 Simmental Champion of Europe with his herd stock bull Islavale Jabba. The European Championship is held within the ‘Simmental Champion of the World Competition’ run by the Texas, USA based Simmental breeder. With British Simmental genetics very much to the fore, the Reserve Championship was won by the young bull Pistyll Nightrider from Welsh breeders GA & HM Francis, Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthen.
With a growing track record in this event, the Champion of Europe award was a second in a row, and the fourth time in five years it has been won by British Simmental breeders. Last year it was Drumsleed Legacy 20 from Gerald and Morag Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, who prevailed, with previous wins for Lisglass Goldstar from Gordon Clark, Cupar, Fife in 2020, and prior to that Heathbrow Important from David and Lesley Sapsed, Herts in 2019.
May 2018 born, Islavale Jabba was purchased for 6000gns in 2020 from breeders WS Stronach & Son, Berryleys, Keith, Banffshire, and his first bulls at Stirling last year averaged 5000gns, with a good run of heifers levelling at 4500gns. Springfield Major, the champion at the Simmental Calf Show at Borderway Agri Expo in 2021, and also a Jabba son, sold for 7500gns at Stirling in February this year. A prolific breeder in the 30 cow Springfield herd Islavale Jabba has sired some 40 calves in this last two years. He himself stood Senior Male Champion at this year’s Scottish National Simmental Show whilst a son, Springfield Neptune, won the Reserve Supreme & Senior Championship at the recent Simmental Youngstock Show held at Carlisle at the end of October.
Commenting a delighted Gavin Brown said: “We are over the moon with the result. In this online competition Islavale Jabba has been judged on his presence and by breeders from different parts of the world who will have different takes on the values of the Simmental breed in terms of colour, fleshing, and muscle definition. So to be picked out as Champion from all of these entrants is very special. The coverage this competition has over a social media and online platform is massive and it can only be good for the breed in the UK to have British Simmental genetics again recognised internationally.”
Pistyll Nightrider
The Reserve European Champion, the May 2022 born Pistyll Nightrider is by the noted Team Celtic and is out of Pistyll Frances VG87, a Brookwood Alla King daughter. Earlier this summer Pistyll Nightrider won the Simmental Male Championship at the Royal Welsh Show. The Pistyll herd who hold the Welsh Simmental record for a bull sold at sale, the 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman at Stirling in February 2021, have also previously won the Reserve Female Championship at the Royal Welsh Show.
The Simmental judges for the ‘Champion of Europe’ award consisted of Flávio Montenegro Alves (Brazil): Fred Dell (South Africa): Dominik Matti (Switzerland): and Deanne & Rob Young (Canada).
• 26,000gns a record for a NI Simmental female, and a sale centre record • 34 heifers average £5583.53, a sale record average and up by +£363 • Denizes sell two heifers at 10,000gns • Islavale Peaches, Weaned Calf Champion, makes 9000gns
The classy October 2022 born heifer Coolcran Heidis Noreen from Shane and Paul McDonald, Coolcran, Tempo, Co Fermanagh, sold for 26,000gns to lead the third staging of the Next Generation Sale of Simmental Females & Weaned Calves at H&H’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle, held on Friday 1st December.
Champion Female Coolcran Heidis Noreen 26,000gns
Earlier in the day Coolcran Heidis Noreen had won the Overall Supreme Female Championship in front of the judge Reece Simmers from the noted Backmuir herd, Keith, Banffshire. Come sale time the opening bid of 10,000gns set the tone for some spirited bidding and with Reece Simmers backing up his judging by purchasing the Champion. Coolcran Heidis Noreen, who had secured a number of show titles through the summer in Northern Ireland, is by the AI sire Saltire Impressive, and is out of Coolcran Ellas Heidi.
Commenting afterwards Reece Simmers said: “This was just a tremendous heifer with great style, presence, and quality. She is long and clean with a great top line and good plates. Every angle you looked at her she was just full of class and very feminine. Coming to the sale we had no real thought to buying but this was just a complete Simmental heifer of a quality that you don’t see very often, she was a clear Champion in my eyes, and we’re delighted to have been able to buy her.”
The 26,000gns was a new record for a NI Simmental female, and was also a new Next Gen Sale, and Simmental centre record. With four animals on the day making over 10,000gns, the 34 served/maiden heifers sold averaged £5583.53 up by +£363 on the year, and again a new record average for the sale. Three weaned heifer calves averaged £5180, and the one cow and calf in the catalogue made £6300. The sale saw some strong bidding for the quality lots on offer from a combination of existing and new breeders.
For Shane and Paul McDonald, Friday 1st December 2023 was a “special day we will always remember for the rest of our lives.” Speaking after the sale Shane McDonald said: “Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen was just a stand-out calf from birth, and from one of the main family lines in the herd. She was a calf that had the potential to develop into something special and she always caught the eye of any visitors to the herd. Following attending the first Next Gen Sale in 2021, we had liked the format and the idea behind it. As such we were very keen to support it if we could and with something top drawer. After a very successful summer show season, and very strong interest in Noreen, we decided to enter her. For her to make 26,000gns and to set a new NI Simmental female is just something we could never have anticipated. We’re delighted that she’s gone to such a noted herd as Backmuir and we wish them every success with her.”
The Coolcran herd was established in 2006 and presently comprises of 20 breeding females. The herd’s previous top price had been 7000gns for Coolcran Dazzler the Intermediate Champion at Stirling in February 2014.
Reserve Champion Female Overhill House Neva 18,000gns
Lifting the Overall Reserve Female Championship and taking the second top price of 18,000gns was the April 2022 born Overhill House Neva from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. This heifer is the first female to be offered at sale by Pistyll Kingsman, the sire of the herd’s record breaking 46,000gns bull Overhill House Neo, and is out of Overhill House Kitty Kat, an Aultmore Goliath daughter. Purchasing this heifer for his establishing Towiemore pedigree herd was the commercial producer Ryan Smith, Towiemore, Keith, Banffshire who is recognised for buying bulling heifers and taking top end Simmental heifers with calves at foot in numbers to the breeding cattle sales at Aberdeen and Northern Marts Thainstone Centre in May and October each year. Commenting on his purchase Ryan Smith said: “We have been looking for a heifer with that bit of class and star quality, and with the genetics to build the herd around. This Overhill House heifer is I think an absolute prime example of the modern Simmental. She has great depth and length, tremendous width across her plates and shoulders, and is just full of breed character, style and presence. I liked the breeding on both sides of her pedigree and of course with Pistyll Kingsman as the sire. She really looks the part but also has a good Maternal Milk figure of +10, and with her Terminal Sire Index, and Self Replacing Index both being over +100.” The Towiemore pedigree herd presently comprise of fifteen cows and the Smith family are looking to grow this to around 25 breeding females.
Denizes Melody 48 10,000gns
It was a terrific day for Lancashire breeders MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, with a top team of ten from their noted Denizes herd averaging a fantastic £5754 and including two animals at 10,000gns. The first of these was the winner of Class Three, Denizes Melody 48 who was purchased at the 10,000gns price by AJ Bulmer for his Habton pedigree herd at Coultas Farm, Malton, North Yorkshire. January 2022 born, Denizes Melody 48 is sired by Blackford Galaxy 15, a previous Royal Highland Show Champion, and is out of Denizes Melody 31st, a Denizes Hamish sired animal. The purchase was one of seven made on the day by Alex Bulmer with others including Lot 220 Skerrington Faith 4th (P) at 5500gns; Lot 219 Denizes Cadette 44th at 4500gns; Lot 202 Newbiemains Miss Flo at 4000gns; Lot 209 Denizes Trixi Belle 22 at 4000gns; and Lot 212 Blackford Nalla at 4000gns.
Commenting after the sale Alex Bulmer said: “Denizes Melody 48 is exactly what we were looking for to add style, quality, and new blood into our Habton herd. She’s a long, wide heifer with great breed characteristics, and just what we need to keep improving. Still new to the Society, we bought seven heifers on Friday from the Denizes, Blackford, Newbiemains and Skerrington herds respectively, and to add to our foundation heifers all acquired from the Corskie herd. These new purchases will add a depth of new bloodlines as we aim to grow the herd. As well as the pedigrees we run a herd of fifty suckler cows, and the Simmental really suits our system, both pedigree and commercially. I think the sale average and the interest on Friday really shows the breed has a very bright future.”
Denizes Melody 52 10,000gns
The second Denizes animal at 10,000gns was another from the Melody family in the shape of Denizes Melody 52. This August 2022 born heifer is by the herd’s prolific Denizes Hamish and is out of the Ashland Tornado daughter Denizes Melody 18th. A maternal sister to Denizes Hero, who sold for 7000gns to Smallburn Farms, Denizes Melody 52 was bought by RE & SHW Steggles for their fast-establishing Wacton pedigree herd at Honingham, Norfolk. It was repeat custom as at last year’s Next Gen II Sale, the leading maiden heifer price on the day was the 8000gns paid for Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th which was also purchased by the Steggles. Commenting, Sam Steggles said: “The photographs of Denizes Melody 52 really caught my eye and obviously the breeding in the pedigree is renowned going back to Stuartslaw Melody. In the flesh she was a very sweet heifer just full of quality and I’m delighted to get her to join the Wacton herd of 20 pedigree Simmentals. It was a terrific sale in general with a brisk trade and lots of competition for the quality lots on offer.”
Getting the sale off to a cracking start, the June 2020 born Denizes Rosie 3, a Denizes Hamish daughter, sold with her heifer calf at foot Denizes Rosie 5 by Grangewood Baron, for 6000gns to local breeders Messrs Airey, Little Urswick, Ulverston, Cumbria. Other Denizes animals on the day sold for 6000gns; 4500gns; 4000gns; 3800gns; and 3500gns x 3.
Champion Weaned Calf Islavale Peaches 9,000gns
Selling at 9000gns was the youngest animal in the catalogue, the weaned heifer calf Islavale Peaches from the prolific Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banffshire. Earlier in the day this April 2023 born heifer had won the Overall Weaned Calf Championship, and with the Islavale herd having also won this title last year with the 6500gns Islavale Nestle. At the recent Stars of the Future Calf Show at Stirling, Islavale Peaches was the Junior Simmental Female and Overall Junior Champion. Entirely homebred, Peaches is the first heifer to be sold Islavale Lucifer 20 EX93, and is out of Islavale Honeypot VG 86 the mother of the 10,000gns Islavale Lord. Of Islavale Peaches the judge Reece Simmers said: “This a tremendous Simmental heifer calf, full of style and with a lovely head. Similar in type to my Female Champion she’s a calf with a very bright future ahead of her. Again she has great length with a tremendous top and plates, and has a good end with easy muscling.” Buying the Overall Weaned Calf Champion was the Burns Family for their establishing Tippetcraig pedigree herd at High Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Earlier in the day the Burns had also purchased the winner of Class Five, Springfield Night Shade from Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik for 5000gns. This August 2022 born heifer is by the herd stock bull Islavale Jabba, and is out of Springfield Imogen. A further purchase at 4000gns was the weaned heifer calf Newton House Posh for 4000gns from JW Gosmore & Partners, Tattenhall, Chester. January 2023 born this calf is by Lissadell Mr Mullarkey VIP, and is out of Clonagh Krystal Posh.
Springfield Night Shade 5,000gns
Speaking afterwards George Burns said: “Islavale Peaches is a tremendous showy heifer, full of style with a pretty, feminine herd, and had a powerful body for a young calf, and with great conformation. We presently only have two cows but are looking to increase the herd numbers with good quality heifers to breed and show in due course. As such we’re delighted with the three purchases we made on the day.”
Islavale Ashley 9 7,000gns
The Islavale herd had two entries in the catalogue and with their October 2022 born heifer, Islavale Ashley 9, making 7000gns when selling to the Lammermuir herd of James Anderson & Son, Headshaw Farm, Oxton, Lauder, Berwickshire. In the pre-sale show, Islavale Ashley 9 had stood second in her class to the day’s Overall Female Champion and sale top price. By Coose Lincoln (ET) EX90, and out of Islavale Ashley 3 EX91, Islavale Ashley 9’s parents are both classified EX and her dam is EX95 (EX2), the highest classification for a female in the Simmental breed. Commenting Mr Anderson said: “The pictures of Islavale Ashley in the pre-sale publicity caught our eye and at the sale she was a very stylish, correct animal. She also has good figures which is a bonus.” A further purchase on the day at 2200gns was Auchorachan Nicole Hilly, an Auchorachan Hercules 16 daughter from D&R Durno & Sons. The Anderson’s have a small pedigree herd presently which they are planning to grow using good quality, select cattle. The pedigree herd is run alongside a 130-cow commercial her of Simmental and Limousin cross cows.
Newbiemains Mariah 7,000gns
Strong supporters of the Next Generation Sales, the Newbiemains herd of Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbiemains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire again featured in the top prices when selling Newbiemains Mariah for 7000gns to the Dovefields pedigree herd of L Renshaw & I Brassington, Church Broughton, Derbyshire. This September 2021 born in-calf heifer is by Newbiemains Jetset 18, and is out of Woodhall Fidelity (P) EX93. Of Newbiemains Mariah Lorraine Renshaw said: “We are delighted to have purchased Newbiemains Mariah and the fact that she is in-calf is just that bit of added value. We feel she has a lot of quality and with her now settled at home it’s clear she has a super temperament. We were looking to maintain and bring a bit of size into the herd and we think Mariah will be perfect for that.” The Dovefields herd presently comprises of 30 head and is run alongside a flock of 100 sheep.
Springfield Nita 6,000gns
A first time vendor at the Next Generation Sale, Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik enjoyed a terrific debut when selling Springfield Nita to the herd’s top price on the day of 6000gns. Nita is by the herd sire Islavale Jabba and is out of Springfield Goldie, a Woodhall Beautiful daughter and described as the best breeding line in the herd. This animal was one of three purchases on the day by Philliphaugh Estate, Selkirk. On the day, three Springfield females sold for 6000gns; 5000gns; and 3000gns respectively. The herd’s bull calf Springfield Perry, again by Islavale Jabba, also won the Male Weaned Calf Class and placed Overall Reserve Weaned Calf.
Father and son team Lindsay and Robert Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan also made 6000gns when selling their September 2022 born heifer Braegarrie Nigella who was a first prize winner in Class Six. With a depth of breeding behind her, Braegarrie Nigella is sired by Overhill House Link, an Islavale Heston son, and is out of Braegarrie Helga, a Teviot Bouncer daughter. With a little track record behind her, Braegarrie Nigella headed to Next Gen with a class win behind her from the recent Simmental Youngstock Show held within Borderway Agri Expo at the same venue in October. Buying this animal was Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian for his noted Overhill House pedigree herd.
OTHER LEADING PRICES 5,500gns – Lot 220 Skerrington Faith 4th (P) sold to R Bulmer, Great Habton, North Yorks 5,500gns – Lot 244 Overhill House Ness sold to J W Gosmore, Tattenhall, Chester 5,000gns – Lot 203 Boars Head Karina 10th sold to R & A Simmers, Keith, Banffshire 5,000gns – Lot 224 Springfield Night Shade sold G & F Burns, High Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire 4,500gns – Lot 219 Denizes Cadette 44th sold to R Bulmer, Great Habton, North Yorks
In what was a ‘fantastic Friday’ for Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, the November 2022 born Simmental heifer Delfur Nifty won the Simmental Championship and the Overall Individual Interbreed on the opening evening of the Scottish National Fatstock Club’s Livescot Pedigree Calf Show on Friday 24th November at Lawrie & Symington’s Livestock Market, Lanark.
Overall Simmental Champion and Interbreed Champion Delfur Nifty
Initially put up as Simmental Champion by John Morton, Annan, in a show of some 29 Simmental entries, Delfur Nifty then went on to get the Overall Pedigree Championship tap from Interbreed judge Dennis Gall, Millhill, Stirling. Rounding off a cracking evening, Delfur Nifty then teamed up with her stablemate Delfur Weigela N12, to take Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs. Very much a ‘Delfur dynamic duo’, Delfur Weigela N12 had also been a class winner earlier and had placed Overall Simmental Reserve Champion.
Delfur Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. Delfur Weigela N12 is also a Ballymoney Larry daughter, and is out of Delfur Weigela E12, an Auchorachan ACDC daughter.
Reserve Champion Simmental Delfur Weigela N12
Very much a ‘Delfur dynamic duo’ this heifer combination also placed Champion and Reserve, in an entry of 60 Simmentals, at the recent Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo event at Carlisle. Further success was achieved at the Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling where Delfur Nifty placed Reserve Senior Female, and with Delfur Weigela N12 winning her class.
Commenting, Delfur Simmental herd manager Garry Patterson said: “This Interbreed win has really capped a terrific run of pedigree calf shows for these two heifers. Across the three events, Simmental Youngstock, Stars of the Future, and now Livescot there really has been a tremendous strength in numbers and quality of Simmental calves shown. To meet with the success we have had, and now to win an Interbreed, is really beyond our expectation. The aim at the outset was very much just to build a little profile for Delfur Simmentals and to showcase the type of heifers we are looking to breed across the herd.” The Delfur herd presently comprises of 120 breeding females.
Kicking off with the young bulls other Simmental class winners on the night included the November 2022 born Braegarrie Nightrider from Lindsay & Robert Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan. This calf is by Overhill House Link, and is out of Braegarrie Hannah, a Teviot Bouncer son.
Winning the second bull calf class was Newbiemains Pacquiao. Pulling no punches, the February 2023 born Pacquiao is by Auchorachan Kennedy 19 EX92, an Auchorachan Hercules EX92 son, and is out of Newbiemains Knockout VG88, a Skerrington Iceman 17 EX95 daughter. This young bull now heads to the Next Generation III Simmental Sale of Females & Weaned Calves due to be held on Friday 1st December at Borderway Market, Carlisle.
In the youngest female class of the day, it was a first prize red ticket for Castlewigg Empire Stella 3 from Frank Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. February 2023 born, this young lady is a Sterling Empire 13 EX94 daughter, and is out of the herd’s noted Castlewigg Stella Data.
Interbreed ChampionshipGarry Patterson
Simmental Results: Livescot 2023, Lanark Market Class 1036 Bull born between 1st July 2022 and 31st December 2022 1st – Lot 133: DL & S Currie – BRAEGARRIE NIGHTRIDER s. Overhill House Link 2nd – Lot 134: J & E Dyet – MERKLAND NELSON s. Merkland Infinity 3rd – Lot 128: N & N Gwynne – CHESTERMANN NEYMAR s. Chestermann Gibble
Class 1037 Bull born after 1st January 2023 1st – Lot 138: Jim & Patricia Goldie – NEWBIEMAINS PACQUIAO s. Auchorachan Kennedy 2nd – Lot 136: Richard McCulloch – OVERHILL HOUSE PATRICK s. Corskie Lambe 3rd – Lot 139: Gavin Brown – SPRINGFIELD PERRY s. Islavale Jabba
Class 1038a Heifer born between 1st July 2022 and 31st October 2022 1st – Lot 146: Delfur Farms – DELFUR WEIGELA N12 s. Ballymoney Larry 2nd – Lot 141: Gavin Brown – SPRINGFIELD NEXT GENERATION s. Islavale Jabba 3rd – Lot 142: Gavin Brown – SPRINFIELD NIGHT SHADE s. Islavale Jabba
Class 1038b Heifer born between 1st November 2022 and 31st December 2022 1st – Lot 147: Delfur Farms – DELFUR NIFTY s. Ballymoney Larry 2nd – Lot 148: Jim & Patricia Goldie – NEWBIEMAINS NAP s. Newbiemains Daz 3rd – Lot 151: Richard McCulloch – OVERHILL HOUSE NIGELA s. pending DNA
Frank Gwynne
Class 1039 Heifer born after 1st January 2023 1st – Lot 153: Frank Gwynne – CASTLEWIGG EMPIRE STELLA 3 s. Sterling Empire 2nd – Lot 152: Jim & Patricia Goldie – NEWBIEMAINS POSH WAG s. Carbery Lightening 3rd – Lot 154: Jim & Patricia Goldie – NEWBIEMAINS PRETTY WOMAN s. Auchorachan Kennedy
Champion Lot 147: Delfur Farms – DELFUR NIFTY Reserve Champion Lot 146: Delfur Farms – DELFUR WEIGELA N12
Interbreed Champion Lot 147: Delfur Farms – DELFUR NIFTY
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