The much anticipated second staging of the Simmental Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves is fast approaching and will take place this year on Friday 2nd December 2022, at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
Hitting the ground running, the inaugural Next Generation Sale proved to be a tremendous success with served and maiden heifers averaging £4400, and weaned bull calves averaging over £6000 with a lead price of 16,000gns. Moreover, the sale attracted a fantastic show of Simmental cattle full of style, quality, and with a depth of bloodlines.
With 66 entries catalogued this year, the British Simmental Cattle Society is delighted to announce that the pre-sale show judge is Chris Weatherup, Ballyclare, Co Antrim who, along with his father Leslie, runs 35 breeding females with the noted Lisglass Simmental pedigree herd. The Weatherups also run 60 breeding Texel cross ewes and 150 store lambs on their 130 acre holding.
Chris Weatherup, Lisglass herd, and this year’s judge at the Simmental Next Generation II Sale
The Lisglass herd, established in 1989, has certainly made its mark in the Simmental breed. A list of achievements would include exhibiting a hat-trick of Balmoral Supreme Champions, breeding the ‘Simmental Champion of Europe’ in the shape of Lisglass Goldstar (shown by Gordon Clarke), and holding the Northern Ireland home sale Simmental top price record of £25,000 for the bull Lisglass Kirk.
It was very much the commercial value of the Simmental breed that drew the family into pedigree breeding and with Chris’s father Leslie starting out by farming store heifers which were mostly Simmental cross. Commenting Chris said: “Dad was so pleased with the way they performed in their growth and ability to finish that he decided to purchase two pedigree Simmental heifers at Automart Portadown. Over the years the pedigree herd has grown and we’ve looked to invest in the future of the herd with some top female lines being purchased at production and dispersal sales”.
Speaking on his general breeding philosophy Chris went on to say: “Our aim is to breed modern, easy fleshing, structurally sound, docile Simmental cattle with good milking ability. They must have plenty of length and growth to meet the demands of today’s market. We use a combination of a stock bull and AI, and our stock bulls over the years have included Blackford Explosion, Omorga Prince, Raceview Stanley, Dermotstown Delboy and currently Omorga Jaguar. The bulls we use have to be correct with good locomotion, and have style and presence with good breed character”.
“We want to breed Simmentals that go on and perform well and which brings repeat customers both commercially and pedigree. Of course it’s a bonus on top if you can breed that one that is a little bit ‘special’ and catches the eye. In the commercial sector, it’s a proven fact that Simmental is the leading continental beef breed for age at slaughter. I think there is a huge potential for choosing modern Simmental bulls when you are getting the advantages of high growth rates for age, and with super weights and carcases. It’s all about efficiency and performance giving increased profit”.
Speaking of the job ahead at Carlisle, Chris said: “The Next Gen Sale has all the potential to be a year on year showcase event for British Simmental providing quality, performance, and genetics for existing and new breeders. In judging the females come December I’ll be looking for cattle with femininity, length, growth, good mobility, and just carrying that ring presence, style and breed character. It’s a sale that offers something for everyone and I’m delighted to have been asked to judge and am really looking forward to it.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The provisional timetable for the Next Generation II Sale is as follows:
Please keep an eye on the Society’s Facebook page from here for further updates and previews of the Simmental Next Generation II Sale of Females & Weaned Calves due to be held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 2nd December.
Northern Irish Simmental breeder Norman Robson of Doagh, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, has been announced as the new President of the British Simmental Cattle Society. Mr Robson who was elected following the Society’s recent AGM held in Stirling, takes over the reins from Stewart Stronach, Maisley, Keith, following the completion of Mr. Stronach’s two-year term of office.
Steeped in Simmental history, Norman Robson becomes the third member of the Robson family to serve as BSCS President with his father Billy being President in 1985-1986, and 1999-2000; and his brother Michael holding the office between 2011-2012. Norman and his wife Jill, a native of Scotland, have two children. Charlotte 21 is a fourth-year medical student in Edinburgh, whilst son Angus 19, is in his second year of an agricultural degree at Queens University, Belfast.
Operating as a family partnership, Kilbride Farm is a traditional mixed farm and with a 300-sow birth to bacon single site pig unit being a backbone, and alongside the pedigree Simmentals.
The Kilbride Farm Simmental herd, now consisting of 90-100 Simmental cows, is one of the most recognisable names in the pedigree beef sector, with a highlight reel track record of selling bulls and Simmental genetics through home and Society Sales to pedigree breeders and commercial producers in the UK and to international markets. The herd was established in 1971 with four heifers from the first importation into Northern Ireland. From the farm growing cereals, carrying a suckler herd and a sheep enterprise, the land-based operations consolidated into a pedigree Simmental herd only as the Robsons recognised the performance, fertility, docility and profitability that the breed was giving them.
Over the years the Kilbride Farm herd has attained a mighty seven Supreme Championships at the Perth and Stirling Sales and whilst regularly attaining five figure prices. The majority of bulls in a typical year are sold privately off farm to buyers in the UK and Ireland. Kilbride Farm genetics have been exported in the early years to North America, Australia and New Zealand whilst more recently it has been ‘coals to Newcastle’, with the herd exporting semen and stock back to the breed’s homeland countries of Austria and Switzerland. The Kilbride Farm has always aimed to grow fleshy cattle with a moderate mature weight, and with stock bulls used to add uniformity. Over recent years the herd has introduced the polled gene with 70-80% of the cows now carrying polled genetics whilst retaining Kilbride Farm’s traditional qualities.
Commenting, Norman Robson said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be elected as the 27th President of the British Simmental Cattle Society, and to be the sixth breeder from Northern Ireland to hold this office. With a motivated membership and Council, I hope to lead a Society that offers value and assistance through practical breeding tools to all breeders, and positively promotes British Simmental to every industry level. Over the last two years we have seen some record sale averages for the Simmental breed, some successful new fixtures, and an increase in pedigree registrations. It is very much a further aim that we can continue to build on this base and to grow the reach of the breed into all areas of the UK.”
Continuing, Mr Robson went on to say: “The Society will look to build on the performance benefits the Simmental breed offers all types of farming systems. No other breed has the flexibility of the Simmental, from crossing on a Luing type cow on the hill, to high output lowland suckler herds, and as a crossing sire onto the dairy herd. As breeders if we can collectively continue to provide the genetics for a profitable, sustainable forward beef industry, I feel there is a bright future for British Simmental.”
Following his election, one of Norman Robson’s first Simmental fixtures as Society President will be the second staging of the Next Generation Sale of Simmental Females and Weaned Calves at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday December 2nd where there are three Kilbride Farm entries amongst the 66 head entered.
The British Simmental Cattle Society and North West Simmental Club annual calf show took place within Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle on Friday 28 October. Featuring 14 classes including a young handlers section, Simmental breeders travelled from throughout Scotland and the North of England to show off their Simmental young stock.
The judge for the day was Varrie Loggie, who had travelled from Strathaven, Lanarkshire for the event. Having grown up with Simmental cattle, Varrie now spends her evenings and weekends helping her mum and dad Jim and Elizabeth Dyet, whilst working in graphic design during the week. The family have 90 head of cattle, including 60 pedigree Simmentals in the noted Merkland herd, as well as 700 sheep on their 600 acre holding.
Supreme & Junior Champion Newbiemains Noble Wynn
After working through the classes and section winners, Varrie’s pick for the Supreme Champion was the young bull Newbiemains Noble Wynn, bred and exhibited by Jim and Patricia Goldie, Annan, Dumfrieshire, and who had been tapped out as the Junior Champion just moments before. “This is a young bull with lots of breed character, full of length and with plenty of shape. He’s got tremendous potential and I look forward to seeing how he gets on in the future” Varrie said. At only eight months old, Newbiemains Noble Wynn is the first son to be shown by the 9,000gns Auchorachan Kennedy, who was purchased by the Goldie’s at Stirling in February last year. His Dam is the homebred Newbiemains Kannwynn, bred from one of the herds top female lines. Her grandmother Newbiemains Eclypse was a Royal Highland Show and Great Yorkshire Show champion. The next stop for the Champion will be back at Carlisle in December to feature in the high-profile Simmental NxtGen II sale which will be held at Borderway Mart on Friday 2 December.
Senior Champion Newbiemains Moosala
The Goldies had a very successful day, winning three classes and also securing the Senior Championship with their August 2021 born bull Newbiemains Moosala. From the first crop of calves by the homebred Newbiemans Jericho, who has now been sold for commercial breeding, he is the second calf bred out of Newbiemains Icandy. Icandy’s sire Woodhall Fantastic has bred very successfully for the herd with four of his sons being sold to an Italian AI stud who the Goldies have been dealing with for the past three years and have now sent a total of seven bulls to. Jim and Patricia established their pedigree Simmental their herd back in 2004, after using Simmental bulls over their dairy herd. Building their herd from the best stock available, they have pioneers of type classification within the breed, a process which has helped them to establish high quality female lines and in turn has created a demand for their bulls.
The Reserve Supreme and Junior Champion was bred and exhibited by Gavin Brown, of the Springfield Simmental herd. This was his second visit to the show having secured the Supreme Championship last year and with Springfield Major. Gavin who topped the female section at 6000gns at the recent Stirling Sale, is based in Penicuik, Midlothian. In the eight years since he has joined the Simmental Society has grown his herd from his two foundation cows to its present 30 head. Exporting Simmental bulls and semen to Turkey and China, his Facebook sales have now grossed over £68,000 alone.
Reserve Supreme & Reserve Junior Champion Springfield Niagara
Gavin’s Reserve Champion was the April born bull Springfield Niagara. From the second crop of calves sired by Islavale Jabba, who has bred daughters to 6,000gns and averaged £4,700 for his eight progeny sold to date, Niagara is out of Springfield Italia, who goes back to the Irish-bred Shiloh Freedom, the first stock bull purchased to work at Springfield.
Reserve Senior Champion Chestermann Gibble Lulu 3
The Reserve Senior Champion, Chestermann Gibble Lulu 3, was bred and exhibited by N and N Gwynne, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. Out of the homebred Chestermann Wick Lulu, a Kilbride Farm Wick daughter, this November 2021 born heifer is sired by the homebred Chestermann Gibble, classified as EX93, and who has bred bulls to 7,000gns. Mr Gwynne is a long-time supporter of the Borderway Simmental Calf Show, with him showing for the ninth consecutive year.
Judge Varrie Loggie with Junior Young Handler winner Callum Leedham
The young handlers section was split into two age groups this year for the first time and the junior class of 10 to 15 year olds was won by Callum Leedham, who travelled across from Rowan Farm, Lockton, Pickering, North Yorkshire, with his mum and dad Andrew and Yvonne, who had themselves earlier topped class five with their January 2022 born heifer Grangwood Wanda’s Myrtle. This is the second time that the 15-year-old Callum has won the young handlers at the Calf Show. A keen Simmental enthusiast, he has shown an animal at this years English National show, where he also took part with great success in the young persons stock judging. William Loftus of the Clearwater herd, Preston Lancashire placed second and with Cloe Fitton, Bolton, Lancashire, placing third.
Judge Varrie Loggie with Senior Young Handler winner Abby Forsythe
The senior section of 16- to 28-year-old was headed up by Abby Forsythe in her second consecutive win. At 24, Abby is an Agricultural Officer for the Scottish Government and has been involved with cattle showing all of her life. Taking an interest in Simmental over the past eight years, she can regularly be found helping the Newbiemains herds at Society sales and shows. Placing second in the class was Frank Gwynne of the Castlewigg Simmental herd, Newtown Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway.
Full Show Results Class 1 – Bull born on between 01.08.2021 & 31.08.2021 1 – Lot 815: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MOOSALA – s. Newbiemains Jericho
Class 2 – Bull born on between 01 09.2021& 31.12.2021 1 – Lot 816: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MCGREGOR – s. Newbiemains Jericho
Class 3 – Bull born on between 01 01.2022 & 15.03.2022 1 – Lot 821: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NOBLE WYNN – s. Auchorachan Kennedy 2 – Lot 822: RCS & CFE Addison LYVENNET NOAH – s. Greencap Klassik 3 – Lot 820: Ron Loftus CLEARWATER NITROUS – s. Booroola
Class 4 – Bull born on or after 16/03/2022 1 – Lot 825: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA – s. Islavale Jabba 2 – Lot 824: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEMO – s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 827: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY NESTLE – s. Auchorachan Hercules 4 – Lot 823: Ron Loftus CLEARWATER NO SMOKE WI’OUT FIRE – s. Double Bar D Rolex
Class 5 – Heifer born on between 01.08.2021 & 15.09.2021 1 – Lot 839: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD WANDA’S MYRTLE – s. Ranfurly Impeccable 2 – Lot 829: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD TOLLIE’S MILLIE – s. Ranfurly Impeccable 3 – Lot 828: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MAG WAG – s. Newbiemains Jericho 4 – Lot 831: Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham GRANGEWOOD MAGGIE MAY – s. Ranfurly Impeccable
Class 6 – Heifer born on between 16 09.2021 & 31.12.2021 1 – Lot 836: N & N Gwynne CHESTERMANN GIBBLE LULU 3 – s. Chestermann Gibble 2 – Lot 832: Mr J David Loftus BLACKPOOL MARY – s. Woodhall Ferrari 3 – Lot 838: Frank Gwynne CASTLEWIGG RINGLEADER J-LO – s. Blackford Ringleader 4 – Lot 835: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY KLASSIC MINI ROLL – s. Auchorachan Hercules
Class 7 – Heifer born on between 01 01.2022 & 15.03.2022 1 – Lot 841: RCS & CFE Addison LYVENNET BRIONY 5TH – s. Greencap Klassick 2 – Lot 839: Mr & Mrs Fitton SIMPLY KLASSIC NORA – s. Auchorachan Hercules
Class 8 – Heifer born on or after 16/03/2022 1 – Lot 843: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NITA – s. Islavala Jabba 2 – Lot 845: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NALA – s. Islavala Jabba
Senior Champion Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS MOOSALA Reserve Senior Champion N & N Gwynne CHESTERMANN GIBBLE LULU 3
Supreme & Junior Champion Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NOBLE WYNN Reserve Supreme & Junior Champion Lot 825: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA
Pairs 1 – Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham 2 – Gavin Brown
Young Handlers Aged Between 10 – 15 years old 1 – Callum Leedham 2 – William Loftus 3 – Cloe Fitton
Young Handlers Aged Between 10 – 15 years old 1 – Abby Forsyth 2 – Frank Gwynne
The Autumn Northern Ireland Simmental Club sale took place on Friday 21 October at Dungannon Mart, where five bulls sold, all going to commercial homes, to a top price of 4,800gns and an average of £3,003.
Corrick Major – 4,800gns Top Price & Reserve Male Champion
Top of the lots at 4,800gns was the Reserve Male Champion Corrick Major from Cecil and Scott Mcilwaine, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone, whose 20-cow pedigree herd was established in 1979. Corrick Major, is a June 2021 born lad sired by Seafort Gill, who also sired the herds March Dungannon Male Champion Corrick Laird, and the 8,000gns Corrick Logic, sold at Stirling in February this year. In total, Seafort Gill’s five Corrick sons sold to date have averaged £4851.20 apiece. Bred out of Corrick Heidi, who goes back to the 12,000gns Kilbride Farm Bantry, Major was purchased by F Watson, who runs a 150 strong suckler operation in Kircubbin, Co Down. Commenting on his purchase Mr Watson said “I was delighted to secure Major, for me he ticked all of the boxes. A good balanced bull from front to back, he carried himself very well. We breed all our own replacements and finish all our other calves for beef and the Simmental is the perfect breed to produce good mothers and as a terminal sire”.
Dressogue Mario – 2,500gns Supreme & Male Champion
The pre-sale show judge Paul McArdle travelled from Co Monaghan, Eire, where his Broomfield Simmental herd is based. His pick for the Supreme and Male Champion, Dressogue Mario, was next in the trade stakes, and the first of a trio of bulls to be knocked down for 2,500gns. The May 2021 born Mario, is out of the 8,000gns Delfur Decider-sired Dressogue Gloria and by the herd sire Clonagh Fifty Shades who has bred over 70 sons and daughters into the Dressogue herd since his purchase in 2015. Bred and exhibited by Seamus O’Kane, Mario is the first Dungannon champion for the 35 cow Dressogue herd based in Omagh, Co Tyrone, and on only his third visit to the sale. Most of the family’s sales from their closed herd are made from the farm gate to repeat customers. E McMenamin, Kesh, Co Fermanagh, was the man with his hand in the air as the hammer went down.
Judge Paul McArdle, Co Monaghan, Eire
Matching the 2,500gns price tag was Phillip Robb’s 19-month-old bull Slieve Croob Magnificent, from Ballynahinch, Co Down. Sired by the homebred Slieve Croob Juggernaut, his dam is Kilbride Farm Fanni 54h, a third time calving daughter of the 7,000gns Stirling Reserve Senior Champion Corskie Damario. Mark Fawcett, of the Rushlin Simmental herd, Gortadrehid, Co Fermanagh was the lucky purchaser and commenting on his purchase Mr Fawcett said, “I was really pleased to secure Magnificent, as I need a durable bull to work on my hill farm. We have a 20 head Simmental cross suckler herd which we run alongside our Marina and Caravan park and I was looking for a bull which is going to get the job done without me having to watch over him”.
Cladymore Mr Muscle – 2,500gs Junior Champion
The other bull to secure 2,500gns, was Cladymore Mr Muscle, who had been tapped out as the Junior Champion and first in his class in the presale show. Offered for sale by AW Reaney and Sons, Mowhan, Co Armagh, and purchased by Thomas Hall, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, he is the eighth calf to be bred out of the Ashland Brandy daughter Cladymore Edel, and with the popular AI bull Auchorachan Hercules being the sire of this August 2021 born bull.
The final bull sold was the blue ticket winner Camus Macduff, who was purchased by Edgar Cumins, Lisburn, Co Antrim, for 2,000gns. A 17-month-old, who was offered for sale by Mr J Campbell, Strabane, Co Tyrone, Macduff is by the 8,500gns Islavale Cracker, and is out of Camus Imprint, who goes back to the Eire bred Ex92-rated Dermotstown Delboy, the Balmoral Champion in 2014 and 2015.
Corrick Luma – 3,700gns Reserve Female Champion
There were seven quality Simmental females on offer and with five sold to average £2,772. The top priced at 3,700gns was Corrick Luma, the Reserve Female Champion from Cecil and Scott Mcilwaine, who had also secured the top price in the bull section. Luma is a September 2020 born daughter of the 2013 Ploughing bull champion Curaheen Dickens and Corrick Francis 14, who goes back to the Roscommon Premier Show junior bull champion Carbery Carribbean. She was purchased by Ian MaGill, who takes her back to join his Ballyrolly Simmental herd in Newtownards, Co Down.
Just behind at 3,600gns was D McElmurry’s 23-month-old heifer Wellbray Diana Kim, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who caught the eye of Chris Traynor of the Kilmore Simmental herd, Armagh, Co Armagh, when she placed second in her class earlier in the day. The popular AI bull Samark Superman is the sire here, and Kim is bred out of the first calving Raceview K Diana Kim, who is a daughter of the prolific AI bull Kilbride Farm Newry, who has bred over 1200 progeny into the national herd.
Two lots then went on to sell for 2,000gns a piece. The first being the Dressogue Maisie, a blue ticket winner bought forward for sale by Seamus O’Kane, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Sired by the 11,000gns Islavale Invincible, her Dam is Dressogue Irish Lady, who goes back to the Eire bred Clonagh Fifty Shades. Edward Henry, Newtownards, Co Down, was the purchaser of this March 2021 born heifer.
The Reserve Supreme and Female champion and 19-month-old Breaghey Vida-M420, was the other heifer to be knocked down at 2,000gns. Bred and exhibited by Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh, she was snapped up by Connor Wilkinson, Lisburn, Co Antrim, to join his Killultagh Simmental herd. She is out of the Breaghey Vida 1, who goes back to the aforementioned Dermotstown Delboy, and sired by Omorga Regan.
Selling for 1,900gns and completing the Simmental lots was Rehall Majesty, a heifers calf bred out of the 8,000gns Delfur Decider-sired Rehall Kerry. Sired by Rehall Karl, the July 2021 born Majesty, who stood third in her class, was presented by W and K Stubbs, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh and purchased by P Woods, Collone, Co Armagh.
A big congratulations to Ant Hart, Carloggas Farm, Treverybyn, St Austell, Cornwall who with their January 2022 born bull calf Treverbyn Norman, won the Overall All-Breeds Supreme title at the Cornwall Pedigree Calf Show, held yesterday 22nd October at the Royal Cornwall Showground.
A heterozygous polled calf, Treverbyn Norman is by Coose Norman P, and is out of Treverybyn Keira, a Skylark Geronimo daughter. Having come through the Simmental classes and lifted the Championship from Simmental judge Jonny Ward, Treverbyn Norman then went head to head with the other breed champions to lift the Overall title and this time in front of the judge Mrs Ria Rice, daughter of Philip Warren the noted Launceston based butcher. In what was the tenth staging of the Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show, this is the first time the Overall Supreme Championship has been won by a British Simmental. Well supported by Simmental breeders, the classes featured entries from the Treverbyn, Bosahan, Wellatree, Angwella, Tregnether, and Loxton herds respectively, and with the catalogue featuring 90 entries in all across the breeds. A great win for the Harts and for Cornish Simmental breeders!
New Simmental Breed Record average of £7559 for 45 Bulls, and up by £1597 on the year
Two Bulls over 20,000gns, with 10 bulls over 10,000gns in all, and 29 at 5,000gns and above
Seven Islavale Bulls Average £13,500
Sale grosses £366,315
Springfield Heifer tops females at 6,000gns
Islavale Magnum 28,000gns
The March 2021 born Islavale Magnum from WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banffshire sold for 28,000gns to fire the Simmental bull trade to a new breed record sale average of £7559, up by a remarkable £1597 on the year, at the breed’s October Sale held at United Auctions Stirling on Tuesday 19th October 2022.
With commercial producers competing fiercely with pedigree breeders for the quality bulls on offer, two bulls made over 20,000gns with ten in all over the 10,000gns mark and twenty-nine at 5,000gns and more. The total Simmental sale gross on the day came to £366,315.
A tremendous team of Islavale bulls broke new ground for this prolific Simmental herd with the 28,000gns topping their previous sale best of 24,000gns and seven bulls in all selling to an incredible average of £13,500. Five of the bulls broke the five-figure mark. The sale leader, Islavale Magnum, is by the noted AI sire Team Celtic and is the first calf at sale out of Islavale Harper who herself had stood as the Senior Champion as a yearling heifer at Stars of the Future in 2017. Combining a depth of pedigree with performance figures showing +14 for Maternal (milk), this classy dark red bull was purchased for the Delfur pedigree herd of Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour.
Commenting on behalf of Delfur Farms, which runs a 120-cow herd, new herd manager Garry Patterson said: “This is a big investment for the future, but we were looking for a bull that will put a serious stamp on the herd and help us to take that next step. I thought Magnum was a standout bull the minute I saw him, and with his breeding and performance figures he’s just the full package. We wanted a bull which will click with our females, breathe new life into the herd, and to take that next step. We very much think and hope that Magnum’s daughters will have the potential to do that and produce some first quality bulls at the same time.”
The 28,000gns top price surpassed the Islavale herd’s previous top sale mark of 24,000gns, and the average for the seven bulls sold smashed the previous best for a herd that has been consistently at the top end of Simmental sales over a number of years. Speaking after the sale, and commenting on the bulls they are breeding, Stewart Stronach said: “We breed the type of Simmental bulls that we like and what we think meet the needs of the market. Our aim is to breed correct, big square bulls, good on their plates with plenty of length, free flowing in their locomotion, and with character, style and presence. Our main aim is breeding first quality Simmental bulls for commercial producers and with sales to pedigree breeders a real bonus on top. We’re really delighted with this trade and hope and trust that the bulls sold go on to do well in their new herds.” In addition to the 28,000gns top price, further Islavale bulls sold on the day for 18,000gns; 13,000gns; 10,000gns x 2; 6,000gns; and 5,000gns.
Denizes Monty 20,000gns
Selling at 20,000gns was Denizes Monty from MA Barlow and Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire. On the previous day this January 2021 born bull placed first in his class, before moving on to secure the Senior Championship and the Overall Supreme Championship in the pre-sale show and in front of the judge Chris Martindale who runs the noted Forsdale herd at Coedfa, Oswestry, Shropshire. Commenting on his Champion Mr Martindale said: “What a modern Simmental bull this is. He’s clean throughout, has a super top line, has width shoulder to shoulder, and a back end to die for. The breed is known for its maternal traits of milk, fertility, and calving ease. A bull like this will retain those advantages and by adding terminal traits just gives you something very modern that ticks all the boxes for breeders and commercial beef producers.”
The Supreme Champion went to Northern Ireland when being purchased by Mr HJW and JC Moore for their noted Omorga pedigree herd at Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone and who said: “I’ve seen this bull as a calf and through the summer and he’s just a very modern Simmental. I feel he’s the whole package with the breeding behind him, top figures, full of shape but with style and class. Monty brings new breeding to the herd, and I’m delighted to have bought him.”
For the Barlows the pre-sale show marked a first time Stirling Supreme Championship for their Denizes herd that has previously enjoyed a string of section wins and top prices at Stirling with their highest sale price to date being the 30,000gns Denizes Lancelot in February of this year. Denizes Monty is by the noted Denizes Hamish who had previously sired bulls up to 9,500gns (with his first twelve sons at Stirling averaging 7,500gns), and who is out of the herd’s highly noted Auroch Eve. Monty is out of Denizes Trixi-Belle 6th who herself is the mother of Denizes Impressive, the sire of the sale’s Reserve Supreme, Popes Matchmaker. Through the summer Denizes Monty had stood as Junior Male and Reserve Male at the Royal Highland Show, and he was sold with strong performance figures for calving ease, gestation length, and Maternal (milk).
Simmental judge Chris Martindale in action
Speaking after the sale, British Simmental Cattle Society General Manager Iain Kerr said: “It’s great to see a Simmental sale with an average of over £7,500gns, a new record mark, and continuing a series of strong sales and averages for the breed over this past year. There were breeders buying bulls today, but the trade was underpinned by commercial producers competing for the bulls of their choice and willing to pay five figure prices. The Simmental is a maternal mainstay of the UK suckler herd and the efficiency of females in milk, fertility and easy calving, combined with growthy, fast finishing progeny is just adding up for commercial producers. We would have liked to have seen more bulls sold but there was a strong demand for the quality lots of offer and we have to be mindful of the continued move to spring calving, and farmers taking time to consider at present in a very cost-conscious moment for the industry.” A further seven bulls were sold after the sale and up to 7000gns.
Islavale Mint 18,000gns
The Junior Champion came in the shape of Islavale Mint, who went on to sell for 18,000gns to Crudie Farming Company, Crudie Farm, Arbroath, who run the 45 cow Crudie pedigree herd alongside a predominantly Simmental commercial herd of 120 cows, and with 30 Blue Greys. The April 2021 born Islavale Mint is by the noted herd sire Corskie Highlander, who has previously had calves up to 15,000gns, and is out of Islavale Amber 5 VG 86, an Islavale Echo daughter. With an emphasis on ease of calving, milk, fertility and temperament, the Simmental is the go-to breed for Crudie both commercially and pedigree, and herd manager Kenny McKeague was delighted with their purchase: “Islavale Mint is a very typical Simmental bull with what we’re looking for to add to the herd. He has a tremendous top line, is very square, has a good leg in every corner, and with a lot of breed character in his head. He’ll go home for a period of isolation, and we’ll aim to put him to some cows come March time.”
Delfur Maverick 16,000gns
Immediately recouping a little of their outlay on the top price purchase was Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour when they made 16,000gns for Delfur Maverick the second prize bull in the third class of the day. March 2021 born, Delfur Maverick is sired by the 10,000gns Woodhall Instinct 17, a previous Stirling Junior Champion, and is out of the Auchorachan ACDC sired Delfur Denise, one of the top and easiest calving lines in the herd. Again with a depth of breeding, and strong figures including a +11 for Maternal (milk), this bull was purchased in a two way split between the Fallhills herd of Bruce Lambie, Fallhills Farm, Penicuik, and the Innerwick herd of Mr and Mrs L Moffatt, Innerwick Farm, Dunbar, East Lothian. Speaking after the sale Bruce Lambie said: “I am really delighted to buy a share of this bull and he was my number one pick of the sale. He ticked all the boxes for both Dorothy (Moffatt) and I being a long clean bull with great shape and with good legs and feet. This is the first time that I have purchased a bull with Dorothy. There’s a family connection and the same high health status in the herds, and Dorothy helped me get a start in the breed in 2013 when I purchased my first two heifers from her”.
Corskie Mikah 11,000gns
Another strong team of Simmental bulls came from the noted Corskie herd of Mr WJ and J Green, Corskie, Fochabers, Garmouth, who made 11,000gns; 10;000gns; 7500gns; 6500gns; and 5,500gns respectively to gross £42,525 and at a cracking average of £8,505. Leading the way was the 11,000gns Corskie Mikah who placed first in the second class of the day. Arriving at Stirling with a strong show record behind him, Corskie Mikah had placed Reserve Simmental Junior Male Champion and Reserve Interbreed Beef Breeder Champion at the Royal Highland Show in June and went onto be Junior Male Champion and Reserve Overall Junior Champion at the Scottish National Show, at the Black Isle. Sired by Kilbride Farm Haka and out of the Dirnanean Bradley daughter Corskie Elissa VG 88, this bull was purchased jointly by J Milne and Son, Oldwhat Mains, Turriff, and David Ross and Fiona Shand, who run the Fortmarine herd at New Deer, Turriff.
Coltfield Murry 11,000gns
Also selling at 11,000gns Coltfield Murry, from JC MacIver, Wester Coltfield, Forres, Moray. Bred out of Coltfield Izzie G 79, who goes back to Newbiemains Cocaine, he is sired by the 14,000gns Rockytop Invader. The May 2021 born Murry, successfully shown through the summer, was purchased for export by the well know Garret Behan who runs the 65-cow Clonagh Simmental herd in Portlaoise, Republic of Ireland. A long-time purchaser of British Simmental bulls, going back to his purchase of the 8,500gns Banwy T-Rex at Perth in November 2007, Mr Behan was delighted with his new acquisition, and commented: “We focus on bulls with feminine traits and showing and sales are a huge part to the herd’s success. Throughout the years and in particular the last ten the herd has, we think, achieved unrivalled success. In the past nine National Irish finals the herd has claimed the overall title at six of them including the champion and reserve in 2010”.
Corskie Monarch 10,000gns
Three bulls were sold for 10,000gns, and with the first being another from the Corskie team in the shape of Corskie Monarch, and who had stood second in his class to the aforementioned Corskie Mikah. Buying this bull was J Barclay and Son for their Whiteknowes herd at Ardiecow Farm, Fordyce, Banff. Also sired by the 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Haka, he is bred out of Corskie Highness VG 86, a daughter of the 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie, and one of the best and most consistent cow families within the herd. Commenting on his purchase, Mr Barclay said, “this is the first Corskie bull we have purchased, and we were looking to bring some new bloodlines into our stock. He looks a good strong bull, and I really liked his back pedigree. Monarch will be working alongside our other four Simmental bulls and over the 270 head suckler herd. Calving in the Spring and Autumn, we keep around 50 heifers for replacements to our mainly purebred Simmental suckler herd and sell the others finished to Morrisons”.
Islavale Mojo 10,000gnsIslavale Maximus 10,000gns
The two further bulls at the 10,000gns price, both came from Islavale team of the Stronach family. Islavale Mojo, a March-2021 born bull was the first through the ring and was snapped up by Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin, Morayshire, for their Pitgaveny herd. A previous purchaser of Islavale genetics, Mojo again caught their eye after he stood first in his class in the pre-sale show, and in front of Islavale Magnum the day’s top price bull. Islavale Mojo is by Curaheen Giant, who has bred Stirling champions in the past for Islavale, and is out of the Popes Laird daughter Islavale Britney Ex 94. Islavale Mojo carried a Maternal (milk) figure of +9. The Stronach’s other 10,000gns bull was the blue ticket winner and April 2021-born Islavale Maximus. This calf is a son of the popular Irish bred AI bull Dermotstown Delboy E92 and is out of Islavale Chloe Ex 91, a daughter of the 15,000gns Atlow Dixon Ex 91. With both muscle and milk, Islavale Maximus goes to work with the high-end commercial herd of A and J Craig, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, who are again repeat buyers from the Islavale herd.
Sway Monarch 8,500gns
All the way from Hampshire, and in what was the herd’s first time at Stirling was Mr and Mrs S and L Blomfield, Lymington, with their February 2021 born bull Sway Monarch 21 (PP). This bull brought something different to the sale with him being the only homozygous polled bull in the catalogue and, despite being full homebred, featuring some Czechoslovakian and Canadian bloodlines in his pedigree. By the homozygous polled Sway Kingsman 19 (PP), and out of Sway Babycham (P), the long trip reaped its reward when Sway Monarch made 8,500gns in selling to the Dargill pedigree herd of J C McLaren and Partners, Knox House, Crieff, Perthshire.
Popes Matchmaker 8,000gns
The first of two bulls through the ring at 8,000gns was the pre-sale show Reserve Supreme and Intermediate Champion Popes Matchmaker from the noted Popes herd of JH and VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Lancashire which comprises of 60 cows and followers with 80 to calf. Full of breeding, performance, and figures, Popes Matchmaker is by Denizes Impressive who is out of Denizes Trixi-Belle 6th, the mother of the 20,000gns Supreme Champion and the same breeding line as Popes Laird. Matchmaker’s dam is the noted Popes Whispers Della whose dam line goes back to Greenside Whisper. With a Maternal (milk) figure of +12, Matchmaker is another bull who has had great success in the show ring this season, being crowned Reserve Junior Interbreed Champion and the Simmental Male and Junior Champion at the Great Yorkshire show in July. Heading all the way to Cornwall, this bull was purchased by Steve and Gill Gummow, to work in their well-known Killiworgie Simmental herd in Newquay. Killiworgie Simmentals have bred five figure bulls at Stirling, are prolific herd competition winners in Cornwall and the South-West, and this year won the 2022 Simmental Virtual Show competition.
Team Magregor 8,000gns
Matching the 8,000gns price tag and snapped up by Snaigow Farming, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, was the April 2021-born Team MacGregor, a heterozygous polled bull by Lopemede Gregg and out of Team Melody, a daughter of the 10,000gns Auchorachan Winger. Team MacGregor, with strong figures for calving ease and a Maternal (milk) figure of +9, was bred and exhibited by Mr R J Macgregor, Perth, Perth and Kinross. A small but high-quality offering of Simmental females averaged £3,045 for the eight sold. Topping the lots at 6,000gns was the stylish Springfield Minstrel from Gavin Brown, Penicuik, Midlothian. A 15-month-old heifer out of Woodhall Cheeky and sired by Islavale Jabba, Springfield Minstrel was purchased by JH and VG Wood, Dutton, Lancashire for their noted Popes herd. Commenting, Vikki Wood said: “This is just a dark red heifer with a lot of class and the type of female that we feel we could breed from for progeny aimed at the Stirling market.” The Woods went on to purchase four heifers in all from Gavin Brown, with Springfield Melody and Springfield Meg, being knocked down for 4,800gns and 4,000gns respectively, and Springfield Magic at 2600gns. Melody, a July 2021 born lass, is by the same sire as her 6,000gns shed mate Minstrel, Islavale Jabba, but this time bred out of Springfield Imogen, who goes back to the Irish-born Shiloh Freedom. Springfield Meg, who has been running with Kilbride Farm Landmark, is sired by Team Celtic and is out of Springfield Ivory, who also goes back to Shiloh Freedom. In the pre-sale show of bulls the Springfield herd had one red ticket and went on to sell bulls at 5,500gns, 5000gns and 4,000gns.
Female Champion Popes Nellys Maya with Female Reserve Scotland Hill Mabel
AVERAGES: 45 Bulls £7559 (+£1579) 8 Females £3045
OTHER LEADING BULL PRICES: 7,500gns Lot 646 Corskie Meldrew, sold to M Cruickshank 7,000gns Lot 688 Backmuir Mustang, sold to J & R Stanger 7,000gns Lot 691 Backmuir Macallan, sold to I J Blackhall & Sons 7,000gns Lot 731 Strathisla Mandarin, sold to W J Hollingsworth 6,5000gns Lot 647 Overhill House Marshall, sold to McKenzie Craiglands Ltd 6,500gns Lot 668 Auchorachan Malcom, sold to C & V Fraser 6,500gns Lot 680 Broombrae Monty, sold to A D Sutherland 6,500gns Lot 682 Auchorachan Magic, sold to A P Whyte 6,500gns Lot 733 Corskie Megastar, sold to C H Evans & Sons 6,000gns Lot 694 Islavale Merlin , sold to J Walker & Sons 6,000gns Lot 706 Blackford Mustang, sold to P & M Grant
Islavlale Mojo, Islavale Matrix & Islavale Mint winning the Group of three bulls bred by exhibitor – Kilbride Farm Perpetual Crystal Bowl
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