LOST FARM SIMMENTAL HEIFER WITH CALF AT FOOT SELLS FOR £3100 AT ABERDEEN BREEDING CATTLE SALE

LOST FARM SIMMENTAL HEIFER WITH CALF AT FOOT SELLS FOR £3100 AT ABERDEEN BREEDING CATTLE SALE

by | Apr 26, 2022 | 2021 Scottish News, 2021 Other Sales, 2021

• Simmental sired cattle lead the prices in a number of the sections

• Craig Malone wins Perpetual Challenge Trophy for Champion Simmental Sired heifer

• Rockytop pedigree Simmental bull makes 4000gns


Simmental cattle were again firmly to the fore in the top prices and sections of the sale of 264 breeding cattle held at Aberdeen & Northern Marts Thainstone Centre, on Tuesday 26th April.

Leading the strong Simmental sired entries, and heading the heifer with heifer calf section, was a Simmental cross with Limousin cross calf at foot at £3,100 from regular consignors George and Charles Gordon, Lost Farm, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire.

The Cow with Bull Calf section sold to £2,500 for a Simmental cross with Limousin cross calf from Knowehead, Kildrummy.
Cows with Heifer Calves sold to £2,150 (twice) including a Simmental with Limousin cross calf from Knowehead.

Danny Leslie presenting Craig Malone with the Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Champion Simmental Sired heifer & Steven Eddie of East Coast Viners



In the annual show and sale of heifers with calves at foot, kindly sponsored by East Coast Viners and judged by David Barclay, Tullo of Garvock, Laurencekirk, the Overall Reserve Champion and winner of the Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Champion Simmental Sired heifer went to Craig Malone, Pitcairn Farm , with a Simmental cross with Limousin cross bull calf realising £2,800 to the judge.

Rockytop Leo



In the show of breeding bulls the top price Simmental was Rockytop Leo which made 4000gns for Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. September 2020 born Rockytop Leo is fully homebred being sired by Rockytop I’m Yer Man, and out of Rockytop Tinka’s Geneva.

Overall, the sale averaged £2,316.02 and with other leading Simmental prices including:

Heifer with Bull Calf: SimX – Ardhuncart Farms, Auchtygall £2,900, Lost Farm £2,850, South Blachrie, Lost Farm, Auchtygall, Pitcairn £2,800, Fairburn, Lost Farm £2,750.
Heifer with Heifer Calf: SimX – Auchmaliddie Mains £2,850, Ardhuncart Farms, Lost Farm £2,750, Lost Farm £2,600.
Cows 2nd Calvers with Heifer Calf: Sim – Upper Ashalloch £2,250.
Cow with Bull Calf: Sim – Nether Kirkton £2,250, Knowehead £2,150; SimX – Knowehead £2,200, Nether Kirkton £2,080, £2,020, £2,000.
Cow with Heifer Calf: SimX – Nether Kirkton £2,000, £1,980, Knowehead £1,950.
Show and Sale of Commercial Beef Breeding Cattle Judging
Sponsored by East Coast Viners
Judge – David Barclay, Tullo of Garvock, Laurencekirk
Class 1 Simmental Sired Heifer with Male Calf
1st – C Malone, Pitcairn Farm, Cardenden £2,800
2nd – C & G Gordon, Lost Farm, Strathdon £2,600
Class 2 Simmental Sired Heifer with Female Calf
1st – H & K Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud £2,850
2nd – Ardhuncart Farms, Ardhuncart, Kildrummy £2,900
3rd – I & M Keith, Auchtygall, Peterhead £2,900

ANM Group Ltd
East Coast Viners Animal Nutrition

6000GNS KILBRIDE FARM EUNICE 314L (P) LEADS STRONG EXPORT TRADE AT KILBRIDE FARM PREMIER SIMMENTAL HEIFER SALE

6000GNS KILBRIDE FARM EUNICE 314L (P) LEADS STRONG EXPORT TRADE AT KILBRIDE FARM PREMIER SIMMENTAL HEIFER SALE

by | Aug 25, 2021 | 2021 Northern Ireland News, 2021 News, 2021 Other Sales, 2021

  • Top price heifer sells to Australia
  • Two heifers sell to Germany
  • Four heifers head to Scotland
  • Six heifers sell to Republic of Ireland
  • Fifteen heifers average £4886

A strong export trade was the theme of the day at the much anticipated premier heifer sale of WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim.  Held as a timed on-line auction over three days, 19th to 21st August, this export qualified sale celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the noted and prolific Kilbride Farm pedigree Simmental herd.

On offer was a select high-quality catalogue of yearling and in-calf heifers from the herds main and prolific cow families.  In the run up to the sale the Robson family had imaginatively and extensively promoted and marketed the sale through social media with in-depth picture and video content of the animals for sale, and with details of their breeding lines.  A number of potential buyers also viewed the animals on-farm.  The hard work paid off with the sale, held in conjuction with Ballymena Market and the online MartEye, raising worldwide interest.  The top priced heifer was purchased by an Australian buyer, with two further heifers heading to buyers in Germany.  Four heifers headed to Scotland, with six going south to the Republic of Ireland, and two remaining with buyers in Northern Ireland.  Fifteen heifers sold in all to average a very healthy £4886.

Kilbride Farm Eunice 314L (P) 6000gns

Leading the way at 6000gns was the August 2020 born Kilbride Farm Eunice 314L (P) who went ‘down under’ when being purchased by Jeff Knox, Crookwell, New South Wales.  Out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 191F, this heifer goes back to the Milnafua Graduate daughter, Eunice 34S. Her sire, Kilbride Farm Hans PP, goes back to Kilbride Farm Fanni 9V who also bred the 12,000gns Kilbride Farm Bantry.  As recently as last year, Mr Knox imported 32 embryos from the Kilbride Farm herd and from which he now has pregancies.  From here, agreement has been reached that Kilbride Farm Eunice 314L (P) will be kept at Kilbride Farm where she will be flushed, and with embryos being exported to Mr. Knox thereafter.

Commenting following the sale, Billy Robson said:  “We are delighted to have held this sale to mark 50 years of Kilbride Farm Simmentals.  As the herd has progressed in that time, we’ve exported Simmental genetics around the world. It’s very fitting therefore to have seen such an export theme to this sale.   The sale represented an opportunity for purchasers to buy animals from our best breeding lines and we very much trust they go on to do well for their new owners.”  One of the longest established British Simmental herds, Kilbride Farm have been prolific sellers privately and at both the Perth and Stirling bull sales over many years.

Kilbride Farm Eunice 295K (P) 5100gns

Selling at 5100gns was Kilbride Farm Eunice 295K (P) who was one of three heifers purchased by Eoin Coogan, Co Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.  August 2019 born, this heifer is by the homozygous polled bull Sneumgaard Imperator, a herd sire imported from Denmark. Again with a depth of breeding and performance, Eunice 295K (P), is out of the powerful Crugmelyn Brenin daughter Kilbride Farm Eunice 149D and with her grand dam Eunice 45T being a full sister to Kilbride Farm Titan who was a Champion at the Stirling Bull Sales.   This heifer was sold in-calf to Curaheen Gunshot (P).Mr Coogan was back in action when purchasing Kilbride Farm Eunice 306K for 4400gns.  Again with a connectivity in breeding, Eunice 306K is one of the few Crugmelyn Brenin heifers in the herd to ever have been offered for sale.  November 2019 born, she is out of the prolific Cairnview Snazzy daughter, Kilbride Farm Eunice 103B.   Making it a hat trick of purchases, the August 2019 born Kilbride Farm Jolly25K (P), also headed to the newly establishing herd of Mr Coogan in Co. Wicklow when she was purchased for 4100gns.  Jolly 25K (P) is by the Crugmelyn Brenin son Kilbride Farm Gruffalo 15 (P) and is out of Kilbride Farm Jolly 17G (P).  The Jolly family has produced some of the highest priced bulls from the herd and up to 22,000gns. Kilbride Farm Jolly 25K was sold in calf to Kilbride Farm Jetstream P.

Kilbride Farm Dora 97K (P) 4700gns

Two heifers sold at 4700gns.  The first of these Kilbride Farm Dora 97K (P), headed to Scotland when being bought by Mike Morrice for the Boharm pedigree herd at Mains of Newton, Craigellachie, Moray. The August 2019 born Dora 97K (P), is the first heifer to be offered at sale sired by Islavale Harvest 16, the Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 son.   She is out of Kilbride Farm Dora 75F (P), a daughter of the homozygous polled Ardadoney VIP (PP), and was sold in-calf to Kilbride Farm Jetstream P.

Kilbride Farm Eunice 305K 4700gns

Another selling to Scotland, and again at 4700gns, was the October 2019 born Kilbride Farm Eunice 305K who was one of two purchases by Kate & Alan McNee, Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee to join their Finlarg herd.   A further heifer by Kilbride Farm Gruffalo 15 (P), Eunice 305K is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 245I (P), a Sneumgaard Imperator PP heifer going back to Seaview Prince Charming and Dovefield Gallant.  Also heading to Over Finlarg at 3900gns was the youngest heifer in the catalogue, the August 2020 Kilbride Farm Eunice 315L (P).  Again full of breeding, Eunice 315L (P) is by Curaheen Gunshot (P), and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 274J (P).  Speaking after the sale Hazel McNee, who had viewed the cattle on farm prior to the sale, said: “These heifers offer a different type of breeding to what we presently have in the herd.  The depth of breeding in the Kilbride Farm herd is well known and we have always admired the Kilbride Farm bulls forward at Stirling sales.  The sale offered a good opportunity to buy into proven bloodlines and we are very pleased with the heifers bought.”

Kilbride Farm Eunicie 291K 4500gns

The very first lot in the catalogue, Kilbride Farm Eunice 291K made 4500gns when selling to the Killultagh herd of Connor Wilkinson, Killultagh Road, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.  Getting the sale off to a strong start, this April 2019 heifer, a full sister to Kilbride Farm Gruffalo, is a Crugmelyn Brenin daughter out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 92A (P).  Eunice 291K’s granddam was noted as being ‘a tremendous breeding polled Milnafua Graduate cow on whom a lot of the herd’s polled breeding was based.’ Kilbride Farm Eunice 291K was also sold in calf to Kilbride Farm Jetstream P.

Kilbride Farm Iris 25L (P) 4000gns

The final animal hitting the 4000gns mark was the March 2020 born Kilbride Farm Iris 25L (P). Another daughter of the homozygous polled Sneumgaard Imperator, Iris 25L (P) is out of Kilbride Farm Iris 17F who placed third Best Cow in the the 2020 European Simmental Virtual Show.

Kilbride Farm Laura 37L (P) 3900gns

Continuing the export theme, two animals made 3900gns and both sold to Simmental breeders from Germany.  The first of these was Kilbride Farm Laura 37L (P), an Islavale Harvest 16 daughter, and out of Kilbride Farm Laura 20H (PP), an Imperator daughter.  This heifer heads back to one of the breed’s homelands, Germany, and Mario Walther, Erlinbacher Stadtweg 52, Frankfurt.  No stranger to British Simmental, Mr Walther bought a female from the Omorga herd of John Moore, Co Tyrone in 2020.  Also at 3900gns was Kilbride Farm Laura 39L (P) who was purchased by Thomas Eydner, Frohburg, Germany.  April 2020 born, Laura 39L (P) is by Kilbride Farm Gruffalo 15 (P), and is out of Kilbride Farm Laura 22H (P).  Mr Eydner who had contacted the Robsons prior to the sale to express an interest, has previously bought semen from the Kilbride Farm herd. 

Kilbride Farm Laura 39L (P)

Average:

15 Heifers                          £4866

Auctioneers:

Ballymena Livestock Mart and in conjunction with MartEye

MILKY, FERTILE SIMMENTAL FEMALES IMPROVING GROWTH AND WEIGHT FOR AGE IN BALGRAY HILL COMMERCIAL HERD

MILKY, FERTILE SIMMENTAL FEMALES IMPROVING GROWTH AND WEIGHT FOR AGE IN BALGRAY HILL COMMERCIAL HERD

by | Jun 16, 2021 | 2021 Scottish News, 2021 Other Sales, 2021

Snapshot commercial herd feature on David and Rosemarie Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie as they prepare for the first part of their fast-approaching commercial herd dispersal sale at Lockerbie Mart on Tuesday 22nd June.

Beef producers will soon have the chance to purchase top-quality, well-bred cattle from a leading commercial herd based in South West Scotland. David and Rosemarie Cornthwaite of Balgray Hill, Lockerbie, are set to disperse 120 Limousin cross and Simmental cross heifers and cows with Limousin and British Blue calves at foot from their large-scale beef suckler herd on Tuesday, June 22 at Lockerbie Mart.

Featuring top Simmental genetics, the offering includes 85 first to third calvers and 35 fourth calvers and above, as well as four of the herd’s stock bulls which are all proven sires boasting tremendous bloodlines.

These include a Simmental named Newbiemains Daz; two British Blues, Greystone Limelight, and Greystone Meric; and the 19-month-old Limousin, Spedling Producer, a son of the former show cow Maybe Cute.

The Cornthwaites first introduced the Simmental to their breeding policy 13 years ago and they have been most impressed with the breed’s ability to produce a functional suckler cow which goes on to rear a strong calf with good growth rates.

“We buy in Limousin cross Friesian heifers from a closed herd and bull them to a Limousin to breed three-quarter Limousins which we use as herd replacements,” said David, who has been farming at Balgray Hill for three decades.

“The best of these replacement females are then bulled to the Simmental to give us an additional crossing, before being put back in-calf to Limousin or British Blue bulls.

“Although we use a variation of beef breeds, the Simmental is a staple part of our herd and has helped put milk back into our females and improve growth rates in our calves, particularly the males which are sold through the store ring.”

Rosemarie added: “We find Simmental females mature quicker and have more milk at a younger age which has also allowed us to calve heifers at two-years-old, compared to the Limousin crosses at three years of age. This is a huge benefit to our beef herd as the females are productive at a younger age, producing more calves overall.

“The Limousin and Simmental cross works well as you get the milk, shape and good maternal traits in the females.”

While the majority of the heifer calves are kept as herd replacements, the bull calves and heifers not suitable for breeding are sold at nine to 10 months of age through Carlisle, Kirkby Stephen, Lockerbie and Stirling (UA).

Despite selling Simmental-sired calves through store rings in areas where Limousins feature strongly, the yearling cattle from Balgray Hill have met a fantastic trade in the past, with bullocks selling at £1300-£1320 and heifers reaching tops of £1200 at nine to 10 months-old weighing 430kg-500kg.

Balgray Hill have also enjoyed success in pre-sale shows at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, having stood first, second and third in the pens of four at the annual continental store sale held in March.

“These calves are a good weight for age and are easy fleshing animals so they will go and perform well for the finisher,” said David. “It’s a great advantage being able to cross the Simmental cross females to virtually any breed of bull such as the British Blue which produces sweet calves with shape and style.”

Top-quality stock bulls have been purchased in over the years, with all four destined for next week’s sale having bred consistently well for the herd.

“We couldn’t fault the bulls for their temperament while they have been with us, particularly the Simmentals which have been easily handled and fit to work at a great age,” said David.

“The father of our nine-year-old bull Newbiemains Daz, was Newbiemains Apache, which we also owned. Both of these bulls have been very prolific.”

All heifers and cows destined for sale on Tuesday, 22nd June are free of the bull and the herd maintains a high health status, being BVD accredited, Johnes Level 2 and TB 4 (last tested December 2020).

The herd also vaccinates for Lepto & BVD and all calves have been dehorned.

David concluded: “Over the years, other vendors in the south west and Cumbria have shown interest in our calves and were keen to know more about the Simmental cross females we breed and the policy we follow. 

“I reckon there’s a secure future for the Simmental as both a maternal and terminal sire, producing milky, fertile replacements and easy fleshing cattle that can be sold at a good weight for age.”

S F STUBBINGS HERD REDUCTION SALE

S F STUBBINGS HERD REDUCTION SALE

by | May 13, 2021 | 2021 North East News, 2021 Other Sales, 2021

Malton Livestock Market are holding a herd reduction sale on behalf of S F Stubbings on Friday 21st May. The Sale consists of 53 Pedigree Simmental and Simmental x cows and calves and Bulling heifers, and commences at 12 noon. There are 25 Pedigree Simmental bulling heifers from Mr Stubbings’ Sledmere herd. For more information please visit www.maltonlivestockauctioneers.co.uk

CADE KOLOSSAL LEADS MELTON MOWBRAY SIMMENTAL SALE AT 3000GNS

CADE KOLOSSAL LEADS MELTON MOWBRAY SIMMENTAL SALE AT 3000GNS

by | Mar 29, 2021 | 2021 Midlands News, 2021 News, 2021 Other Sales

Cade Kolossal 19 (P) from Paul Cade, Paddock Farm, Buckden, East Anglia sold for 3000gns to lead the small Simmental entry at the Melton Mowbray Multibreed pedigree sale held on Saturday 27th March 2021.

Cade Kolossal
Cade Kolossal

July 2019 born, Cade Kolossal is by Heathbrow Impulse 17 (P), and is out of Dirnanean Abba who is described as ‘ leaving size, strong maternal instincts, and excellent milk production.’ Earlier in the day, this bull had placed first in the Simmental class of bulls in front of the judge Richard McInnes. Staying local, Cade Kolossal was purchased by LW Simons & Son, Brockhill Hall Farm, Melton, Leicestershire.

From the same home the July 2019 Cade King Pin 19 (P), who stood second in the bull class, sold for 2600gns to Robert Carlton, Cherry Tree Farm, Dunchurch, Rugby. Another polled Heathbrow Impulse son, this bull is a heifer’s calf being out of Thursford Debs 36th, a Scotland Hill Cairo daughter.

Selling at the same 2600gns mark was Storersmith Kaleidoscope 19 from R&L Storer Smith, Spath Farm House, Uttoxeter. October 2019 born, and the youngest Simmental bull in the sale, Kaleidoscope is by Kilbride Farm Comber and out of the Glenturk Rolex daughter Storersmith Domino EX 91. Storersmith Kaleidoscope 19 was purchased by AE Kerr & Son, Mannor Farm, Newark, Notts.

Through the book at 2300gns was the December 2018 born Midhope Jasmine from Mr WJ Hollingsworth, Mid Hope Hall Farm, Sheffield. This heifer, scanned in-calf, by Woodhall Everhart 13, and out of Midhope Girlie, went to a new breeder C Chuck, Skegness.

Midhope Jasmine
Midhope Jasmine

TJ Hassall & Co, from Winsford, Cheshire, sold three heifers from their Fishpool herd at 1700gns; 1300gns; and 1100gns respectively.  Showing the productivity and efficiency of Simmental females the 1700gns and 1100gns prices were twin heifer calves selling for a collective 2800gns at one year old.  Selling at 1700gns was Fishpool Lexi.  March 2020 born this heifer is by Sterling Hugo 16 and is out of Fishpool Heather.  Fishpool Lexi, and her twin Fishpool Laura, were both purchased by P Angelides, Langford Moor Farm, Coddington, Notts. The same buyer also purchased Fishpool Lucy at 1300gns.    

Averages:

3 Bulls averaged               £2870

4 Heifers averaged          £1680