Sales from the Slievenagh; Omorga; and Hiltonstown herds
Three-year-old cow Slievenagh Klassy Lady was exported to Felix Tobler from Switzerland.
The New Year is off to a good start for three Simmental herds located in counties Antrim and Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with the export of two cows and calves, five heifers, and one young bull to breeders in Switzerland and Germany.
Slievenagh Lottie was exported to the Bunde family’s herd in Germany.
The deal featuring the Slievenagh, Omorga and Hiltonstown herds, follows on from an ‘export first’ in July 2020 involving 11 Northern Ireland-bred Simmental cattle. This latest export deal was struck with three repeat customers and a new buyer, and bolsters an upsurge in international demand for genetics, embryos and semen from high health status herds in Northern Ireland.
Robin Boyd from the Portglenone-based 30-cow Slievenagh Herd is the British Simmental Cattle Society’s World Simmental and Fleckvieh Federation representative and was one of three breeders who shipped pedigree cattle to the continent last week.
“We are delighted to announce another significant export of Simmentals to Switzerland and Germany. The breed was first imported to Northern Ireland in 1971, and last year, as the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, we were brokering a deal to export ten Simmental cattle to the breed’s native homeland,” explained Robin Boyd.
“The dual-purpose Simmental is one of the more influential breeds in the UK, offering both superior terminal and maternal traits. This latest export is testimony to the quality and consistency of Northern Ireland bred cattle and gives breeders in Germany and Switzerland an opportunity to tap-into new bloodlines from proven bulls and cow families.”
Mr Boyd continued: “It is very pleasing to see that the majority of the cattle are going to satisfied customers Felix Tobler, Christian Bunde and Mario Walther, and new buyer Markus Rahn. “
The initial export almost eighteen-months ago was initiated by Flex Tobler, and his son Joel, from Chapelle in Switzerland, who had visited the UK and NI to participate in stockjudging competitions organised by the Simmental Young Members’ Association. Their enthusiasm fuelled a growing interest in local cattle, which resulted in visits from prospective buyers in October 2019 and January 2020.
The Tobler family were the first-ever herd owners to import cattle, of any breed, from Northern Ireland to Switzerland.
Felix and Joel Tobler took delivery of five animals carrying the Boyd family’s Slievenagh prefix. The consignment included the three-year-old cow Slievenagh Klassy Lady, an Omorga Isaac daughter, bred from Slievenagh Faith VG85, whose maternal granddam Slievenagh Madonna bred the 20,000gns Perth reserve supreme champion Slievenagh Talisman (Nov 2007). This young cow was accompanied by her polled eight-month-old Coose Jericho bull calf.
The March 2019 Slievenagh Krystal was sired by Shacon Hannibal, one of the most influential sires at the Society’s recent Next Generation Sale in Carlisle. Her dam is the Kilbride Farm Bantry daughter Slievenagh Emmylou EX90. Included in the deal was Krystal’s eight-week-old heifer calf Slievenagh Monica, a daughter of home-bred stock bull Slievenagh Kildare.
Also selling to Felix Tobler was the yearling heifer Slievenagh Molly. She is a polled daughter of Dermotstown Delboy, and a twin heifer bred from first calver Slievenagh Jasmine. This heifer’s maternal grandam Slievenagh Buttercup EX90 was the UK’s first Golden Cow in the new register launched by the society in 2019.
The Bunde family from Drewitz in Germany, purchased the 2020 born heifers Slievenagh Lottie and Slievenagh Lily (P).
Lottie was second in a strong class for autumn-born heifers in the NI Simmental Club’s virtual show last year. She was sired by Omorga Murray and is out of the Kilbride Farm Bantry daughter Slievenagh Goddess, which hails from the Madonna female line.
Lily is by Slievenagh Justthejob, a home-bred homozygous polled son of Kilbride Farm Glenhead. Her dam is Slievenagh Iris from the noted Omorga Daffodil family.
The Moore family’s polled heifer Omorga Midnight also sold to Mario Walther from Frankfurt.
Mario Walther from Frankfurt bought two Curaheen Gunshot progeny from the Moore family’s 40-cow Omorga prefix. Both nine-months of age, Omorga Midnight (P) is bred from the Kilbride Farm Bantry daughter Omorga Fanny, while the bull Omorga Moses (P) is bred from Curaheen Dell. Mr Walther previously purchased from the Omorga Herd in 2020.
Richard and Rhys Rodgers from Portglenone, were also part of the 2020 export deal, and this time sold a heifer to German customer Markus Rahan. The March 2020 Hiltonstown Lindsay was sired by the 2014 and 2015 Balmoral Show champion Dertmotstown Delboy and is out of the home-bred dam Hiltonstown Grace VG88 – one of 35 cows in the herd.
The export was facilitated by livestock haulier Martin O’Neill, with the journey from Northern Ireland via Rosslare and Cherbourg, taking almost three days. This latest deal continues what has been a significant export demand for British Simmental live cattle and genetics over the last two years with further sales to Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, USA, and China
Nine-month-old bull Omorga Moses sold to German buyer Mario Walther.Polled heifer Slievenagh Lily was purchased by the Bunde family from Drewitz in Germany.
• Islavale heifers at 9000gns, 8000gns (x2), and 7000gns
• Newbiemains heifer at 9000gns
• 21 lots sell at 4000gns and over
• Served & maiden heifers averaged £4396
• Bull calves average £6174
The ‘standout’ January 2021 born bull calf Omorga Murphy from HJW & JC Moore, Coolesker, Omagh, Co Tyrone, made 16,000gns to lead a strong Simmental trade at the inaugural Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves held at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 3rd December.
Winning the Hugo Arnold Trophy for Overall Champion Weaned Calf in the pre-sale show judged by Colin Inglis, Dalachy Farm, Aberdour, Fife, Omorga Murphy was purchased by Clive Houldey for his 170 cow Manor Park pedigree herd at Kirtleton House, Waterbeck, Lockerbie.
Omorga Murphy is sired by Omorga Isaac who is ‘breeding very well’ for AI Services in Northern Ireland and his dam, Omorga Juliet, is one of the top Mullyknock Gallant heifers in the Omorga herd and going back to Kilbride Farm Eunice 49T. Commenting on his Champion Weaned Calf, and the day’s top sale price, the pre-sale show judge Colin Inglis said: “Omorga Murphy was just a stand-out bull calf on the day. Well-grown he carried tremendous length, had a great backend, good legs, and walked very well for the shape he was carrying. He had tremendous breed character and very much fits the bill of a ‘modern’ Simmental.” With the added challenges presently faced by Northern Irish breeders bringing and trading cattle in England and Scotland, the decision to enter three bull calves paid off with the Omorga trio selling to a gross of £24,885. For the Omorga herd of 40 breeding females the 16,000gns represented their second top price at sale and behind the 22,000gns bull Omorga Samson.
Very much endorsing the judge’s comments, Clive Houldey said: “We’ve been looking for a stock bull for a little while and we think this calf has all the attributes to fit that bill for the Manor Park herd. He’s got length, style and character, shape, and depth down his back legs. We’ll look to use him a little bit in July next year and then ease him into the herd thereafter.”
Featuring a catalogue of predominantly maiden and in-calf heifers, along with weaned bull and heifer calves, the sale saw heifers from the Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith make 9000gns, 8000gns twice, and 7000gns. This was the first time the prolific Islavale herd had entered heifers into a show and sale and with their entries featuring top bloodlines breeding from some of the herd’s best cow families. A heifer from the Newbiemains herd of Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire also made the day’s joint second top price of 9000gns. In all, over 20 lots made 4000gns and more through the respective sections with buyers featuring from all four home countries and from Orkney to Southampton. The 16,000gns top price is a record for the breed at Carlisle and is also a record for a British Simmental weaned calf.
Commenting on the sale, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “The Next Generation Sale is a new fixture for the breed at Carlisle and it’s received tremendous support from the breeders with a very good standard of cattle forward. It is very much an aim that this sale can grow the reach and visibility of the Simmental breed across the country and to this end today has been a very solid first step. There was a strong demand for young stock, male and female, both in the heifers and the calves.”
Newbiemains Lady Wag 9,000gns
The first of the females to sell at 9000gns was the first prize winner and Overall reserve Female Champion, Newbiemains Lady Wag from Jim & Patricia Goldie. August 2020 born Lady Wag is one of the first heifers to be offered at sale by the herd’s stock bull Skerrington Iceman EX94, and she is out of Newbiemains Hash Tag Wag, a Lisglass Churchill daughter. Returning to Carlisle, Newbiemains Lady Wag had been shown at the recent Borderway Agri Expo where she also placed first in her class. With a depth of pedigree, the Lady Wag dam line goes back to Newbiemains Designer Wag EX92 who was Reserve Female Champion at the 2014 Royal Highland Show. Newbiemains Lady Wag was one of three purchases on the day by Richard McCulloch for his Overhill House pedigree herd at Armadale, West Lothian that comprises of 40 pedigrees and 160 pure Simmentals in all. Speaking after the sale, Richard McCulloch said: “It was a tremendous show and sale of Simmentals with a depth of quality right through the catalogue. Prior to the sale, Newbiemains Lady Wag had caught my eye in both pictures and videos and I was very impressed with her in the flesh. I was looking for different bloodlines and heifers that are real cow makers. As such I’m really delighted with the three animals bought on the day from the Newbiemains, Corskie, and Mavsey herds.”
Islavale Viva 8 9,000gns
Also at 9000gns, and leading the line-up from the Stronach family, was the September 2020 born Islavale Viva 8. Described as ‘one of the best heifers bred out of the Viva family,’ Viva 8 goes back to the noted Raceview Viva Kim, and her dam Viva 2, has twice classified EX94. Another animal with a recent show record behind her Islavale Viva 8 had placed Overall Senior Champion at the recent Stars of the Future Calf Show held in Stirling. Buying Islavale Viva 8 was Reece & Andrew Simmers for their 50-cow Backmuir pedigree herd at Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire.
Islavale Lullaby 8,000gns
The Simmers bought four animals at the sale and including the day’s Overall Female Champion Islavale Lullaby, another from the Stronachs, at 8000gns. April 2020 born, Lullaby is sired by Shacon Hannibal who is classified EX94 and is the first calf out of Islavale Inspire a daughter of the noted Atlow Dixon. Having been crowned the first Overall Female Champion at this new Next Generation Show & Sale, the judge Colin Inglis was full of praise for his choice of Champion and said: “Coming into the ring this heifer carried a lot of style and presence and just caught my eye straight away. She was very feminine, carried lots of breed character, walked very well, and was square from front to back with good shape. Lullaby is a lovely Simmental heifer and a worthy Champion from what was a tremendous show of females.”
The run of strong Islavale prices continued when the October 2020 born Islavale Liquorice also made 8000gns when selling to join purchasers Gavin Brown, who runs the Springfield herd at Penicuik, Midlothian, and along with Cameron Jackson, for his Future herd at Woodyett Farm, Lanark. Another heifer full of breed character, Islavale Liquorice is by the noted Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX94, and is out of the Woodhall Walker daughter Islavale Ebo. The previous lot, Islavale Lyra made 7000gns and was another to be snapped up by the Simmers for their Backmuir herd. A heifer’s calf with width and length, the October 2020 born Lyra is entirely homebred being by Islavale Echo 2 13 EX92, and out of Islavale Jinx (P), a Curaheen Giant daughter.
Corskie Limit 6,000gns
Selling at 6000gns was the January 2020 born Corskie Limit from the noted Corskie herd of WJ&J Green, Garmouth, Fochabers. This heifer is by Drumagarner Hughes, whose sons have already sold to 8000gns, and is out of Corskie Fuschia EX91, a Greencap Ace daughter. Corskie Lavender was a further purchase by Richard McCulloch for his Overhill House herd at Armadale.
Islavale Teresa 15 5,550gns
Early in the catalogue the first prized calved heifer Islavale Teresa 15, from the Stronachs, was sold with her heifer calf at foot Islavale Teresa 24 for 5550gns. Islavale Teresa 15 is by Corskie Highlander 16 EX92 and is out of the Curaheen bandit daughter Islavale Teresa 6 EX93. Her calf at foot, Islavale Teresa 24, is by Islavale Echo 2 13 EX92. This outfit was one of three lots on the day bought by E&M Fairhurst & Son, Bank End, Lawkland, Austwick, Lancaster.
Auchorachan Liqueur Madie from D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballandalloch, Banffshire made 5000gns when selling to Orkney and the Swannay herd of Ryan Morgan, Swannay Farm, By Evie. September 2020 born Auchorachan Liqueur Madie, is sired by Auchorachan Hercules 16 and is out of Auchorachan Favourite. A pedigree packed with breeding, Auchorachan Hercules first five sons sold have averaged over £10,500. Auchorachan Favourite is from the Madie family which has bred the noted Auchorachan bulls Wizard, Winger, and AC/DC. Auchorachan Liqueur Madie had been placed as Simmental Champion at the new pedigree section introduced at the recent LiveScot event held at Lanark.
Annick Jasmin’s Marigold 5,000gns
Also at the 5000gns mark, and from the heifer section of the Weaned Calves was Annick Jasmin’s Marigold from Mr LD Quarm, Holehouse Farm, By Irvine, Ayrshire. This calf, January 2021 born, is sired by Islavale Jackpot 18 and is out of Annick Fleur’s Jasmin VG88, a Wolfstar Golddigger 15 daughter, and whose breeding goes back to Whitemire Hannah, a top breeding female in the Annick herd. Going locally, this calf was purchased by GR Morton, who runs the Church Farm herd at Church Farm, Penrith.
Rachael Griffin with Hemingford Lancome
Special mention goes to James & Rachael Griffin, Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon, who sold the March 2020 born Hemingford Lancome for 3000gns and also to GR Morton, Penrith. In an incredibly generous gesture the entire proceeds of this heifer are to be donated to the Breast Cancer Now Charity. Over and above the sale price, the Just Giving page also set up for this cause, has pushed past the £2000 mark. For good measure, the Griffins also sold the weaned heifer calf Hemingford L’Oreal for 4800gns to Philiphaugh Estate, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk. With plenty of breeding behind her, Hemingford L’Oreal is by Woodhall Ferrari 14, and is out of Hemingford Ginny.
Over and above the sale price, the Just Giving page also set up for this cause, has pushed past the £2000 mark. For good measure, the Griffins also sold the weaned heifer calf Hemingford L’Oreal for 4800gns to Philiphaugh Estate, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk. With plenty of breeding behind her, Hemingford L’Oreal is by Woodhall Ferrari 14, and is out of Hemingford Ginny.
AVERAGES:
30 Heifers Served & Maiden £4396
3 Heifers with Calves at foot £4865
5 Weaned Bull Calves £6174
10 Weaned Heifer Calves £3444
Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington
Female Championship Line upWeaned Calf Championship Line upJudge Colin Inglis
Auchorachan and Newbiemains prize winners heading to Next Generation Sale
It was a Championship double for D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch when heifers from their noted Auchorachan herd took both the Simmental Championship and Reserve awards at the new Pedigree Calf Show fixture held within the Live Scot event at Lanark Agricultural Centre on Friday 26th November.
Taking the Overall Championship was the September 2020 born Auchorachan Liqueur Madie, who is sired by Auchorachan Hercules 16 and is out of Auchorachan Favourite. A pedigree packed with breeding, Auchorachan Hercules first five sons sold have averaged over £10,500. Auchorachan Favourite is from the Madie family which has bred the noted Auchorachan bulls Wizard, Winger, and AC/DC. Auchorachan Liqueur Madie took the Championship award after placing first in the senior heifer class.
Auchorachan Liqueur Madie
The Simmental classes were judged by Anne MacPherson of the well-known Blackford herd, Inverness and who described her Champion as “a really well fleshed and sweet heifer, who I have no doubt will go on to do well.” Of her Reserve she continued: “again this was a very similar heifer in type, but not quite as powerful on the day as the Champion.” Of the event as a whole Anne MacPherson said: “LiveScot was a very well-run event, and it’s great to see the inclusion of pedigree classes. As the event develops I have no doubt that the Simmental classes will continue to grow.”
Auchorachan Mellie Hilly
The Durnos also took the Reserve Champion with their Junior Heifer first prize winner Auchorachan Mellie Hilly. March 2021 born this calf is also by Auchorachan Hercules and out of Auchorachan Ellie EX90. For good measure, Auchorachan Major, another March 2021 born Auchorachan Hercules calf, out of Auchorachan Hilly 6 EX91, won the Junior Bull class. All three of these Auchorachan calves now head for Carlisle and the Society’s new Next Generation Sale of pedigree females and weaned calves (male & female), due to be held on Friday 3rd December.
Newbiemains Lady Wag
Standing second in her class to the Overall Champion was Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire with Newbiemains Lady Wag. The August 2020 born Lady Wag is by the herd stock bull Skerrington Iceman EX94, and is out of Newbiemains Hash Tag Wag, a Lisglass Churchill daughter. Previously shown for the first time at the recent Borderway Agri Expo Simmental Calf Show, and where she took first prize in a very strong class of heifers, Newbiemains Lady Wag is another headed for the Next generation Sale at Carlisle.
The Goldies took first prize in the Senior Bull Calf class with the August 2020 born Newbiemains Leonidas. This calf is by Moorglen Hillbilly EX91 and is out of Woodhall Ginger (TF) VG86.
In a further international sale of British Simmental genetics, twenty-one pedigree embryos, from the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, have been sold and exported to the United States based company Horizon Genetics.
In looking specifically to source Simmentals from the UK, a representative of Horizon Genetics first approached the Barlows through Facebook. Extensive discussions and exchanges of pictures followed to meet Horizon’s criteria of visual appearance, bloodlines, and performance figures. The required matings were established, and the embryos thereafter collected and subsequently exported through Mark Knutsford, Celltech Embryo Transfer Ltd.
Nineteen Grade A embryos were collected and exported from the mating of the 2018 born Denizes Cadette 37th, a Kilbride Farm Delboy 12 daughter out of Denizes Cadette 28th, and the sire Ballinalare Galaxy 15. A further two Grade A embryos were exported from the mating of Denizes Nelly 8th, a Cairnview Snazzy daughter out of Denizes Nelly 5th, and sired by Brookwood Alla King. In both instances semen for the matings was supplied for the respective bulls by the Chester based Cogent UK. The bulls had required to be tested for Schmallenburg prior to collection.
Commenting on the sale, John Barlow said: “We are delighted to see Denizes Simmental genetics sell to the United States. Horizon Genetics are showing considerable interest in British Simmental and in sourcing these embryos they are looking for quality female lines from which to breed bulls.”
Over the course of the previous two years, Horizon Genetics have sourced a number of British Simmental bulls subsequently exported to an AI centre in Italy and with semen collections destined for distribution and use in both the USA and China.
Also in the course of the last twenty four months a number of export sales has seen a combination of British Simmental live cattle and genetics sold to Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria; in addition to Italy; USA; and China.
For any other information, or queries, regarding this news release then please contact the British Simmental office on 02476 696513 or email information@britishsimmental.co.uk
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement
1 year
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Recent Comments