BURY ST EDMUNDS BREEDER SETS 18,000GNS SIMMENTAL CENTRE RECORD AT CARLISLE SALE

BURY ST EDMUNDS BREEDER SETS 18,000GNS SIMMENTAL CENTRE RECORD AT CARLISLE SALE

Records were broken when Jimmy & Kath McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds, sold the in-calf pedigree Simmental heifer Brandane Lu Lu for 18,000gns to lead the second staging of the Simmental Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart on Friday 2nd December. 

Brandane Lu Lu

The 18,000gns was a new Simmental breed record at Carlisle, a new record price for the Next Generation Sale, and a new record price at sale for the eight-cow Brandane herd which was established in 2018.   Purchasing Brandane Lu Lu was Reece and Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Keith, Abderdeenshire.  Lu Lu is by Sterling Gino and out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK, an outstanding cow who has produced five heifer calves who have all gone on to shine in the show and sale rings, including Lu Lu’s full sister Sterling FCUK Impuls, who previously sold to the Backmuir herd for 13,000gns at Stirling in February 2019.

The long trip from Bury St Edmunds was made even more worthwhile for the McMillans when Brandane Mint sold for 4,500gns to Norfolk breeders RE & SHW Steggles, Honingham. Mint is a half-sister to Brandane Laura, who was tapped out as Female Champion at Stirling in February and sold for 6,000gns to the East Anglian base Cade Simmental herd of PA & SM Cade, Buckden.

Brandane Millie

Preceding these terrific 2022 sales, Jimmy McMillan also met with considerable success in this year’s ‘major’ show rings.  Along with a plethora of red rosettes for Brandane Lu Lu and Brandane Mint, the summer has seen Jimmy win the Royal Highland show Junior Female Championship and Overall Junior Reserve with his heifer Brandane Millie, who was also crowned Reserve Interbreed Champion at Suffolk Show, Reserve Overall Champion at the Hadley Show, and Reserve Breed Champion at the Royal Norfolk. Sired by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, this young February 2021 born heifer is bred is out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale, and whose first calf was Sterling FCUK Impuls, the 2019 RHAS Reserve Supreme Champion. Brandane Mille was recently sold privately to Finlay Soutter, Ashby De La Zouch, a new young breeder in the Simmental breed, and with Jimmy commenting: “I think she’s a tremendous heifer and she’ll give the lad a great start in the breed.”

Jimmy at Stirling in February

A well-known and highly respected figure in Simmental and pedigree show and sale rings around the UK for many years, Jimmy McMillan is no stranger to the winners’ circle, and has been at the halter of a number of Supreme Champions at national and local events. A born and bred cattle man, Jimmy was born in the Isle of Bute. The family moved to Damside of Dun, Brechin, Angus, when Jimmy was three where he was raised on the family farm and won his first prize in the show ring at the tender age of eight. Proud of his roots, he later chose Brandane as his prefix as this is what you were known as if you were born on Bute. When Jimmy was 22 his father and auntie sold the family farm and his dad moved down to Towcester, Northamptonshire, to work for the now renowned Seawell Charolais herd of Peter Donger.

Jimmy has now been a resident of Suffolk for some 30 years and moved to the area by chance. Whilst on a busman’s holiday at the East of England Show, Peterborough, he was approached by AR Clements of the Darsham Simmental and Charolais herds to see if he would like to come and progress the herds, and from there the rest is history! Jimmy looks back fondly at his time with the Clements; “I had great success with the herd and the best animal we bred was probably the famous Darsham Kit Kat. Selling to a record price for a Simmental female at the time of 18,000gns when the herd dispersed in 2006, she was by that time a winner of five ‘Royal’ championships and including the clean sweep of the Royal, Highland, Great Yorks, and Royal Welsh in 2005”.

Jimmy then moved on to work for the acclaimed Boddington Estates, Sterling herd and again his wealth of experience bought the herd great success in the show and sale rings until it’s dispersal in 2018. Roll on to today and the Sterling genetics have played a big part in the development of the Brandane herd: “All my foundation cows came from the Sterling herd and cattle that I bred and raised during my time there”.

Enjoying his sales this year Jimmy’s feet remain typically very firmly on the ground and with the simple forward ambition of continuing to breed quality Simmentals.  “I love breeding Simmental females”, Jimmy says, “they have got to have length, be feminine and breedy, have style in the head, good plates, good locomotion and just carry that little bit of jazz!  I breed Simmentals as they are so easy to work with. Their temperament and milking ability is second to none. Adding to that, their weight for age is better than any other breed up to 14 months of age, and they really have a lot to offer the forward beef industry”.

His passion for the Simmental breed also sees Jimmy being an active member of the growing East Anglia Simmental Breeders Club. Commenting on his recent successes, Zara Curson the Secretary of the East Anglia Simmental Club said: “Jimmy has so much experience in the Simmental breed and he is always ready to help and encourage young and establishing breeders with tips and advice on cattle breeding, feeding, and preparation for shows and sales.  He’s a great character and asset to the Club, and we’re really delighted for Jimmy and Kath that they’ve had such tremendous success this year.”

18,000GNS BRANDANE LU LU HITS THE HIGH NOTE AT SIMMENTAL NEXT GENERATION II SALE

18,000GNS BRANDANE LU LU HITS THE HIGH NOTE AT SIMMENTAL NEXT GENERATION II SALE

• 18,000gns a breed centre record price
• Heifers average £5202, up by £806 on the year, and a new breed centre record average
• Overhill House sells to 9000gns
• 8000gns Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th makes the top maiden heifer price
• Islavale leads the weaned calf trade at 6500gns

Brandane Lu Lu 18,000gns


Jimmy & Kath McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds sold the in-calf heifer Brandane Lu Lu for 18,000gns to lead the second staging of Simmental Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart on Friday 2nd December.

Getting the sale off to a fast start being the second lot in the ring, this upstanding February 2020 born heifer is by Sterling Gino and is out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK. Purchasing the top price was Reece and Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Keith, Banffshire. Brandane Lu Lu is a full sister to Sterling FCUK Impuls who previously sold to the Backmuir herd for 13,000gns at Stirling in February 2019. At the inaugural Next Generation Sale last year, the Simmers bought the Female Champion, Islavale Lullaby and went on with her to win the Simmental Championship at the Royal Highland Show, and also the Simmental Scottish National Show. Commenting afterwards Reece Simmers, who watched the pre-sale show online and bid by telephone thereafter, said: “We saw Brandane Lu Lu at the Royal Highland this summer and we thought a lot of her sister who has identical breeding and who we purchased back in 2019. Brandane Lu Lu is just a quality heifer. She is powerful and has size but is sweet and feminine at the same time. We like the fact that she is due to calf to Atlow Dixon in January and that just gives you a bit of a quicker return. We are looking for ever improving quality over numbers in the Backmuir herd and just to add one or two in that vein when the opportunity arises.” The Backmuir herd presently consists of approximately 80 pedigree cows.

The establishing Next Generation Sale II again saw some breed record marks set combined with new entrants to the breed buying some of the leading lots on the day. The 18,000gns top price was a centre record for the Simmental breed and eclipsed the 16,000gns price achieved at last year’s sale. Twenty-two heifers sold to average a very healthy £5202 which was up by £806 on the year, and again a new centre record average for the Simmental breed. Fourteen lots in all made 4000gns or more and the sale saw a 74% clearance rate. Speaking after the sale, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General manager Iain Kerr said: “The Next Generation Sale is a fixture that the Society aims to become established and recognised for offering primarily Simmental females with style, quality, a depth of bloodlines, and full of forward potential. Quality is the key, and with the ready trade and averages for the heifers, I think this second staging of Next Gen is another positive step forward for the breed.”

Overhill House Luna 9,000gns


Richard McCulloch, Over Hill House, Armadale, West Lothian attained the day’s second top price when selling Overhill House Luna for 9000gns. This December 2020 born heifer offered both quality and a depth of bloodlines being sired by Curaheen Drifter, who has had sons at 21,00gns and daughters to 17,000gns, and being out of Woodhall Bliss, a daughter of the noted Annick Talisker. PD’d in-calf to the herd’s 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman, this combination of breeding and performance saw Overhill House Luna being snapped up by D&R Holdings, Low Bowhill Farm, Newmilns, Ayrshire. New members to the Society but longer term supporters of the Simmental breed, D&R Holdings have previously bought Simmental females privately from the Corskie herd. Later in the day the same purchasers snapped up the January 2022 born Overhill House Nancy for 6000gns, and the second top price in the weaned calf section. Earlier this young heifer had placed second in her class to the Champion Weaned Calf in front of the judge Chris Weatherup from the noted Lisglass herd, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Overhill House Nancy is by the herd’s 24,000gns stock bull Islavale Heston, and is out of the Mohona Fletcher sired Overhill House Isla.

Overhill House Nancy 6,000gns


The leading maiden heifer price on the day was the 8000gns paid for Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th from the strong team offered by the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire. With outstanding breeding behind her, this March 2021 born heifer has Royal Highland Show Champions as parents being by the 2018 Champion Blackford Galaxy and out of the multi-title winning dam Auroch Eve who was the Royal Highland Champion in 2015 and 2016, and who was also voted the show’s Simmental Champion of the Decade. Purchasing this animal was RE & SH Steggles, Honingham, Norfolk for their establishing Wacton pedigree herd. Commenting, Sam Steggles said: “I saw Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th online and just really liked her. This was reaffirmed when I saw her in the flesh at Carlisle and the combination of looks and depth of breeding is I think a good fit and really suited to the Wacton herd.” The Wacton herd was established in 1973 by Sam’s grandad but was largely bought out in the late 1990’s. Never losing his love for the breed Sam Steggles is re-establishing the Wacton herd and now has eight animals in the herd within the space of a few months. Later in the day a further purchase for the Wacton herd came in the shape of the 4500gns Brandane Mint from Jimmy and Kath McMillan. This April 2021 born heifer is by Sterling Gino, the same sire as the day’s top price, and is out of the Mendick Butch sired Sterling Bacardi’s Funky. Again with a little bit of homework involved, Sam Steggles had been to view this heifer on farm prior to the sale.

Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th 8,000gns


Selling at 7000gns was the served heifer Newbiemains Lady Gaga from Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire. With ‘different and new bloodlines’ Lady Gaga is by the imported Irish bull Ardunsaghan Kool Kid and is out of the Islavale Cracker sired Moorglen Hit The Diff. Newbiemains Lady Gaga was one of two profile purchases on the day by Ryan Morgan who runs the establishing Swannay pedigree herd at Swannay Farm, By Evie, Orkney. Ryan Morgan purchased at last year’s inaugural sale and was again very impressed with the standard of Simmental cattle on offer at Next Generation II. Of his purchase he said: “I hadn’t seen either of the heifers before arriving at Carlisle but they both just stood out for me straight away. Newbiemains Lady Gaga will fit right in with the Swannay herd and her projected calving date just really works. Ranfurly Stella 13th is a heifer with style and offers some great figures which is something that I look closely at when purchasing any animal.” For the Goldies it was another successful Next Generation Sale and following on from last year’s joint top female price of 9000gns achieved for Newbiemains Lady Wag.

Newbiemains Lady Gaga 7,000gns


The aforementioned Ranfurly Stella 13th made 5000gns for her breeder WD & JD Hazelton, Colhannon House, Dungannon when selling to Ryan Morgan. October 2021 born this maiden heifer, with a Maternal (Milk) figure of +10, is by the 14,000gns Ranfurly Jackall who was Supreme Champion at Stirling in 2019, and is out of Raceview Fancywinty EX93 from the herd’s noted Matilda Stella family. Featuring figures and breeding, Stella 13th’s dam Raceview Fancywinty has previously bred the 9000gns Ranfurly Jackpot, and also Ranfurly Stella 12th, the 2022 Reserve Champion Female at Balmoral Show. These two purchases for Ryan Morgan add to the growing Swannay herd of Simmentals and with a forward aim of the herd selling at Society sales in the future. In addition to the pedigree cattle, Swannay Farm carries a commercial suckler herd and also run 400 head of sheep.

Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel 7,000gns


Hertfordshire breeders DA&LA Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Codicote, Hitchin made 7000gns for Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel when being another purchase by Reece & Andrew Simmers for their Backmuir pedigree herd and who noted her as being ‘a great example of the Simmental breed’. A red ticket winner in the first class of the day, this October 2020 born heifer arrived at Carlisle with a significant show record behind her having Interbreed honours and a class first prize at the Simmental English National Show, and a further first prize at the Royal Norfolk. Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel is by Scotland Hill Cairo 11 EX91, and is out Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy VG88 part of the Hockenhull Girly family that has bred very well at Heathbrow. Girlie’s Laurel was sold PD’d in-calf to Heathbrow Important who won the online European Simmental Bull of the Year in 2019. The sale of Heathrow Girlie’s Laurel is a taster of the quality within this 40-cow herd which will be dispersed, due to retirement, at Stirling in the autumn of 2023.

Islavale Nestle 6,500gns


A much-anticipated entry was the youngest calf in the catalogue in the shape of Islavale Nestle from the Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berrleys Farm, Grange, Keith, and she didn’t disappoint when lifting the Champion Weaned Calf title and going on to sell for 6500gns, the top price for a weaned calf on the day. Sired by Coose Lincoln, and out of the Curaheen Bandit daughter Islavale Elisha EX93, Islavale Nestle arrived at Carlisle having recently won the Junior Female Championship at the Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling. With a +8 figure for Maternal (Milk), this young calf was snapped up by the noted Popes herd of JH&VG Wood, Popes Farm, Clitheroe Road, Preston, Lancashire. Commenting, Jimmy Woods said: “We had seen photographs of Islavale Nestle from the Stars of the Future show and thought she looked a lovely feminine calf. When we saw her, she really is a sweet heifer, full of character, and will hopefully go on to prove to be a real asset in the Popes herd. As always, genetics play a big part in our choice of animals to purchase and we like Nestle’s breeding on both sides of her pedigree.”

Denizes Matilda 8th 6,000gns


The winner of class two in the females was Denizes Matilda 8th (P) from the MA Barlow & Sons team, and who went on to sell for 6000gns to a further new breeder James Anderson & Son, Headshaw Farm, Oxton, Lauder, Berwickshire. A blood red heifer from the herd’s noted Matilda family being out of Denizes Matilda 2, Denizes Matilda 8th is by the homozygous polled bull Slievenagh International 17 (PP). April 2021 born, Denizes Matilda 8th was a class winner at the 2021 Simmental Calf Show at the Borderway Agri Expo. With a very solid day’s trading the Denizes herd sold heifers at 8000gns, 6000gns, 4000gns, and 3500gns through the sale.

Taking first prize in Class Three was Islavale Topaz 18 from WS Stronach, Berrleys Farm, Grange, Keith and who went on to make 5000gns when selling to the Delfur herd of Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour. Entirely homebred this heifer calf is by Islavale Echo 2 13 EX92 and is out of Islavale Topaz 11 GP83. The Topaz line is noted as being one of the best breeding families in the herd and with Islavale Topaz 18 herself having a Maternal (Milk) figure of +7.

Leading Prices:
Females
Lot 2 Brandane Lulu 18,000gns to Backmuir Farm, Banffshire
Lot 7 Overhill House Luna 9000gns to Messrs Holdings, Newmilns, Ayrshire
Lot 15 Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th 8000gns to Messrs Steggles, Honingham, Norfolk
Lot 3 Newbiemains Lady Gaga 7000gns to Messrs Morgan, Evie, Orkney
Lot 6 Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel 7000gns to Backmuir Farm, Banffshire
Lot 16 Denizes Matilda 8th (P) 6000gns to Messrs Anderson & Son, Lauder, Berwickshire
Lot 26 Islavale Topaz 5000gns to Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour
Lot 35 Ranfurly Stella 13th 5000gns to Messrs Morgan, Evie, Orkney
Lot 19 Brandane Mint 4500gns to Messrs Steggles, Honingham, Norfolk
Lot 12 Popes Tarkas Misty 4000gns to Messrs Fairhurst & Son, Austwick, Lancashire
Lot 18 Popes Nellys Maya 4000gns to Philiphaugh Estate, Selkirk
Lot 20 Denizes Cadette 43rd (P) 4000gns to Messrs Stanley, Derby, Derbyshire

Weaned Calves
Lot 58 Islavale Nestle 6500gns to Messrs Wood, Dutton, Lancs
Lot 51 Overhill House Nancy 6000gns to Messrs Holdings, Newmilns, Ayrshire

Averages
22 Heifers served or maiden £5202.27
2 Bull Calves £2362.50
5 Heifer Calves £3759.00

BRITISH SIMMENTAL PEDIGREE REGISTRATIONS & NOTIFICATIONS SURGE TO AN INCREASE OF 15% ON THE YEAR

BRITISH SIMMENTAL PEDIGREE REGISTRATIONS & NOTIFICATIONS SURGE TO AN INCREASE OF 15% ON THE YEAR

Official Simmental Society Sales in the Year Gross £2,003,927

A strong year of performance for British Simmental has seen pedigree registrations and birth notifications surge with an increase of 15% in the year to an overall total of 7,388, up by 960. The figures released by the British Simmental Cattle Society are for the pedigree registration year of 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2022.

Sitting alongside these figures is a similarly strong performance at the point of both commercial and pedigree sales and which has seen Official Society Pedigree Sales in the same period nudge through the £2Million mark to gross £2,003,927. In the course of the year the Simmental breed enjoyed some record sale averages and clearances, most notably at Stirling in February when 89 pedigree bulls sold to a new breed record average mark of £6,835. In a new sale fixture introduced to ‘grow the reach of the breed’, the Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves at Carlisle in December saw a top price of 16,000gns, with heifer averages of £4,396, and bull calf averages of £6,174.

In the year, pedigree registrations increased by 13.5%, with birth notifications enjoying a 19.8% increase and this overall surge for the Simmental breed was warmly welcomed by the Society’s President Stewart Stronach, Maisley, Keith, Banffshire, who said: “Simmental females are naturally efficient, healthy, easy to manage, and just full of milk. Adding value to any cross, they are maternal mainstays of the commercial suckler herd, can calve at two years old, and can wean calves at 50% of their bodyweight at 200 days.”

“In 2021 AHDB confirmed Simmental as being the leading continental beef breed for age at slaughter, and this couples with Simmental sired progeny being fast growing, with terrific weight for age and leaving a high yielding, profitable carcase. These are the natural attributes and efficiencies of the modern British Simmental that are driving demand, forging a profitable commercial future in an industry with a higher cost base, and meeting the ‘green’ challenges of reducing beef productions carbon footprint.”

“We welcome these improved registration and sale figures, and collectively our focus will be to continue to work hard and provide commercial beef producers with future fit, profitable dual purpose Simmental genetics.”

The next pedigree sale under the Society’s auspices will be the much-anticipated Dispersal Sale of the noted Annick Simmental Herd, Holehouse Farm, Irvine, held on behalf of the late Lachlan Quarm, at United Auctions Stirling on Saturday 10th September.

BACKMUIR WINS 2022 ROYAL HIGHLAND SIMMENTAL SUPREME WITH ISLAVALE LULLABY

BACKMUIR WINS 2022 ROYAL HIGHLAND SIMMENTAL SUPREME WITH ISLAVALE LULLABY

• Backmuir Win Overall Supreme & Female Championship
• Annick Ginger’s Lucia Takes Overall Reserve
• Drumsleed Legacy Lifts Male Championship
• Denizes Monty Crowned Simmental Junior Champion
• Brandane Millie Wins Junior Female
• Blackford Local Hero Wins Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder Interbreed
• • Simmentals Place Champion & Reserve in Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder Interbreed

Overall Champion Islavale Lullaby

The cattle and the crowds were back to normal at Ingliston, Edinburgh as the 2022 Royal Highland roared into life on Thursday 23rd June and featuring a strong Simmental section of some seventy-five entries.

Judge for the day was Northern Ireland’s Joe Wilson who runs the noted Ballinalare herd of some 60 Simmental cows at Dorans Hill, Newry, County Down.  Played out in front of a large ringside crowd, and after working through some ten classes of bulls and females, the judge tapped out Islavale Lullaby from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire as his Female Champion and as the 2022 Simmental Overall Supreme Champion. 

Bred by Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith, this April 2020 born heifer by Shacon Hannibal 16 and the first calf out of Islavale Inspire GP 82, was purchased by the Simmers for 8000gns at the Society’s inaugural Simmental Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle in December 2021, and where she had also stood Overall Champion.  

Commenting on his choice of Champion Joe Wilson said: “This heifer just had tremendous quality throughout.  Super stylish, she was just full of breed character, was well fleshed and moved really well.  Overall a terrific heifer and just the kind of Simmental I’d love to take home with me!” Of the show generally, Joe Wilson went on to say: “With the advent of Covid I’ve been waiting some three years to judge the Highland!  It’s been a great honour and fully lived up to expectations. I’d like to congratulate all exhibitors for the quality of the stock forward and have no hesitation in saying that the future of British Simmental looks very bright.”

For the Simmers, this Supreme Championship win was the ‘next step up’ and followed hard on the heels of the last full Royal Highland in 2019 and where the Backmuir herd secured the Reserve Overall Supreme Championship with Sterling FCUK Impuls.  Established in 2018, the Backmuir herd now features some 80 pedigree Simmental cows and is already an increasingly prolific herd in both the sale and show ring.  Commenting after the judging a delighted Reece Simmers said: “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet but it’s a tremendous honour to win the Simmental Supreme Championship at what is the blue riband show in Scotland and with such a rich history.  The standard of competition here within the breed and from fellow exhibitors is really high.  To come through that and win the Championship is just fantastic and quite humbling.”

Of Islavale Lullaby, Reece Simmers continued: “Islavale Lullaby was bought as a new bloodline and as an investment in the future of Backmuir Simmentals.  We are really pleased with how she has come on and very much hope that she will be a cornerstone female in the herd.”  Mr Simmers noted that Islavale Lullaby had been served by the herd’s 18,000gns stock bull Wolfstar Jackaroo who was purchased at Stirling in February 2020. 

Reserve Female & Overall Reserve Supreme Annick Ginger’s Lucia

It was very much a Simmental ladies’ day and taking the Reserve Female Championship and the Overall Reserve Supreme Championship was Annick Ginger’s Lucia from the herd of the late Lachlan Quarm, Holehouse Farm, By Irvine, Ayrshire.   February 2020 born this heifer, by herd sire Wolfstar Golddigger and out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger VG 88, placed second in her class to the Overall Supreme before following her all the way through to the Championship places.  Following a string of wins at local and regional shows this summer, a strong Annick team at the Highland saw the herd pick up the Reserve Overall; the Reserve Female; the Reserve Junior female; and along with two first prizes, two seconds, and a third in the classes, and a reserve in the group of three.  The Annick group comprised of Annick Trixibelle 29th; Annick Desiree’s Midnight; and the young bull Annick Maximus 21.  The 2022 show season is providing a showcase for the Annick herd which is set to be fully dispersed at United Auctions Stirling Market on Saturday 10th September and following the sad passing of Lachlan Quarm last year.

Male Champion Drumsleed Legacy

Lifting the Male Championship was Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk with their April 2020 born bull Drumsleed Legacy 20.  This bull is by the herd’s stock bull Wolfstar Gordy, who himself has had sons up to 11,000gns, and is out of Drumsleed Farina 14.  No stranger to the showring herself, Drumsleed Farina has twice been Reserve Champion at the Simmental Scottish National Show and her last son sold for 11,000gns.  For the 100 cow Drumsleed herd, the Male Championship was secured for the second year in a row with Drumsleed Hivy having won this accolade, along with the Overall Simmental title, at last year’s 2021 Royal Highland Showcase event.  Fantastic supporters of the Royal Highland since 1983, the Drumsleed herd have secured numerous titles including three Overall Supremes in 1998, 2002, 2010, and the showcase event in 2021.  

Overall Junior, Junior Male and Overall Reserve Male Denizes Monty

Another bull to secure a bounty of prizes was Denizes Monty from MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Near Leyland, Lancashire. This January 2021 born bull placed first in his class of thirteen young bulls, the largest on the day, before moving through the gears to take the Overall Junior Championship; Junior Male; and Overall Reserve Male Championship titles.  Full of breeding and performance figures, Denizes Monty is by Denizes Hamish who has sold bulls up to 9,500gns and with his first eleven sons having averaged 6000gns.  He is out of Denizes Trixi-Belle 6th who herself has had sons up to 10,000gns.  Again strong supporters of the Royal Highland, the Denizes herd have had a strong last six years at the full show which have seen them win three Supremes, an Overall Junior & Reserve Male; a Reserve Male; and with Michael Barlow himself judging in the other year. Next stop for Denizes Monty will see him take aim at the October 2022 Stirling Simmental Bull Sale.

Reserve Junior Male Corskie Mikah

Taking the Reserve Junior Male Championship was the January 2021 born Corskie Mikah from Mr WJ&J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. This young bull placed second in his class to the Junior Male Champion, and again in the day’s largest class, before following him through to the Reserve position. Corskie Mikah is by Kilbride Farm Haka and is out of Corskie Elissa VG 88 who is a Dirnanean Bradley 10 EX 93 daughter. Later in the day the Corskie herd picked up the Group of Three award with Corskie Mikah being joined by the heifers Corskie Mimic and Corskie London.

Junior Female & Overall Junior Reserve Brandane Millie

Back in the females and winning the Junior Female Championship and Overall Junior Reserve was Brandane Millie from the herd of Jimmy McMillan, The Beeches, Back Lane, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds. A well-known figure in Simmental show and sale rings around the UK over a prolonged number of years, this was Jimmy McMillan’s first time showing at the Royal Highland on his own behalf. No stranger to the winners’ circle, Jimmy has been at the halter of a number of Supreme Champions at the Highland and including for such noted herds as Darsham and Sterling respectively. On this occasion Brandane Millie is out of Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale, and whose first calf was the aforementioned Sterling FCUK Impuls, the Simmers 2019 RHAS Reserve Supreme Champion. Sired by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, this young heifer is February 2021 born. With a show record behind her already, Brandane Millie was Reserve Interbreed at Suffolk Show and will now move on to the Royal Norfolk. The longer-term intention is to enter Brandane Millie into this year’s Next Generation II Sale at Carlisle in December.

Heathbrow Koko Star
Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy

A first time and welcome exhibitor in Simmental classes at the Royal Highland Show was David & Lesley Sapsed, all the way from High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Their long journey met with reward when securing two red tickets in the classes. First up was the April 2019 born Heathbrow Koko Star, last year’s Supreme Champion at the Great Yorkshire, and who won the class for Females calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in Milk, or in calf born in 2019. The Sapseds’ second first prize winner was for Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy who secured the Female born in 2017 or 2018 in Milk or certified in Calf at the time of Show.

Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder Champion Blackford Local Hero

Rolling on to the second day Friday 24th June and the Simmental breed secured the first beef Interbreed of the show when winning not only the Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder title but landing both the Champion and Reserve positions. This Interbreed title takes into account a combination of the animal’s conformation and performance figures. Winning the Interbreed, in front of judge Michael Durno, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, was the December 2020 born Blackford Local Hero (P) from the noted Mr WG MacPherson (A FIRM), Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness. This young polled bull is by the show sire Heathbrow Important (P), and is out of Blackford Echo VG 86, a Curlieu Knight daughter. This is another bull that will now be aimed at the Stirling Simmental October 2022 Bull Sale. For the MacPhersons, this latest win made it a nap hand of five Interbreed wins over the years with Simmentals in the Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder competition. Lifting the Reserve was the previously mentioned Corskie Mikah from WJ & J Green.

Judge Joe Wilson of Ballinalare Farm herd

To common acclaim it was great to be back at the Royal Highland Show and a big thank you and congratulations are extended to all the prize winners and exhibitors, and to the Simmental judge for the day for a job very well done, Mr Joe Wilson.

2022 ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW SIMMENTAL RESULTS
262 Female born on or after 1st April 2021
1st Gary & Angela Christie Rockytop Mamma Mia
2nd Mr J McMillan Brandane Mint
3rd Mr W J & J Green Corskie Millie

Rockytop Mamma Mia

263 Female born between 1st January & 31st March 2021
1st Mr J McMillan Brandane Millie
2nd Mr W J & J Green Corskie M-Enna
3rd Mr L D Quarm Annick Desiree’s Midnight


264 Female born on or between 1st January & 30th June 2020
1st Mr L D Quarm Annick Icicle’s Leah
2nd Mr W J & J Green Corskie London
3rd Reece & Andrew Simmers Islavale Viva 8

Annick Icicle’s Leah


265 Female born on or between 1st January & 30th June 2020
1st Reece & Andrew Simmers Islavale Lullaby
2nd Mr L D Quarm Annick Ginger’s Lucia
3rd Mr J McMillan Brandane Lu-Lu


266 Female calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in milk or in calf born in 2019
1st D A & L A Sapsed Heathbrow Koko Star
2nd Mr L D Quarm Annick Islay’s Kiwi
3rd Reece & Andrew Simmers Rathnashan Legsfirst


267 Female born in 2017 or 2018 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st D A & L A Sapsed Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy
2nd Mr L D Quarm Annick Desiree’s Joy

Blackford Hyalite


268 Female born on or before 31st December 2016 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st Mr W G MacPherson Blackford Hyalite
2nd Mr L D Quarm Annick Colleen’s Ginger


269 Bull born on or after 1st April 2021
1st Gavin Brown Springfield Medallion 21
2nd Gavin Brown Springfield Major 21
3rd James McKay Wightman Coxhill Master 21

Springfield Medallion


270 Bull born on or between 1st January & 31st March 2021
1st M A Barlow & Sons Denizes Monty 21
2nd Mr W J & J Green Corskie Mikah 21
3rd Gavin Brown Islavale Jackpot 21


271 Bull born on or between 1st January & 31st December 2020
1st Mr G W Smith Drumsleed Legacy 20
2nd Crudie Farming Company Clonagh Matador
3rd Mr W G MacPherson Blackford Local Hero 20


SP1 Best Junior Female
Mr J McMillan Brandane Millie


SP2 Reserve Junior Female
Mr L D Quarm Annick Icicle’s Leah


SP3 Best Female
Reece & Andrew Simmers Islavale Lullaby


SP4 Reserve Female
Mr L D Quarm Annick Ginger’s Lucia


SP5 Best cow with calf at food, to be judged as a pair
D A & L A Sapsed Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy


SP6 Best Junior Bull
M A Barlow & Sons Denizes Monty 21


SP7 Reserve Junior Bull
Mr W J & J Green Corskie Mikah 21


SP8 Best Bull
Mr G W Smith Drumsleed Legacy 20


SP9 Reserve Bull
M A Barlow & Sons Denizes Monty 21


SP10 Breeder of Best Bull Mr G W Smith


SP11 Best Junior Animal
M A Barlow & Sons Denizes Monty 21

SP12 Reserve Junior Animal
Mr J McMillan Brandane Millie


SP13 Best Animal of opposite sex to the Junior Champion
Mr J McMillan Brandane Millie


SP14 Champion
Reece & Andrew Simmers Islavale Lullaby


SP15 Reserve Champion
Mr L D Quarm Annick Ginger’s Lucia