ISLAVALE LULLABY ‘ROCKS’ TO SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE BACKMUIR HERD AND LIFTS THE OVERALL INTERBREED SUPREME AT THE BLACK ISLE

ISLAVALE LULLABY ‘ROCKS’ TO SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE BACKMUIR HERD AND LIFTS THE OVERALL INTERBREED SUPREME AT THE BLACK ISLE

by | Aug 8, 2022 | 2022 Scottish News, 2022 News, 2022, 2022 National Shows

• Backmuir achieve the 2022 double of Scottish National Show, and Royal Highland Show Championships with Islavale Lullaby
• Islavale Lullaby wins the Overall Interbreed at the Black Isle Show
• Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd takes Simmental Overall Reserve

Supreme & Female & Interbreed Champion – Islavale Lullaby

The April 2020 born heifer Islavale Lullaby scooped the Overall Supreme Championship for Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, at the 2022 Scottish National Simmental Show, held within the Black Isle Show, on Thursday 4th August. For good measure the stylish Islavale Lullaby then went on to win the day’s Overall Individual Interbreed title.

This latest win at the Scottish Simmental National Show secured a memorable 2022 double for the Simmers with Islavale Lullaby, following on from their Simmental Supreme Championship at the Royal Highland Show in June.

Bought for 8000gns at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s inaugural Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle in 2021, where she also stood Champion, Islavale Lullaby was bred by Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. By Shacon Hannibal 16 she is the first calf out of Islavale Inspire GP 82, an Atlow Dixon 12 EX91 daughter. Described in June as ‘a new bloodline for the herd with all the qualities to be a cornerstone female’, Islavale Lullaby has been served by the Backmuir herd’s 18,000gns stock bull Wolfstar Jackaroo, who was purchased at Stirling in February 2020.

Commenting on his Champion the judge for the day John Moore of the noted Omorga herd, Beragh, Omagh, Northern Ireland, said: “My Champion on the day Islavale Lullaby was just exceptional, a really super heifer. She has all the qualities you would want in a modern breeding female and I just knew that she would go on to do well in the Overall Interbreed, I am really delighted that she was crowned the Interbreed Champion.” Of the Scottish Simmental National Show generally John Moore went on to say: “I was delighted to be asked to judge the National Show and I would like to thank the Scottish Simmental Club and also the Black Isle show for their very warm welcome. It was a great show of animals, especially the females which really impressed me.”

At the conclusion of the Scottish Simmental National Show, Islavale Lullaby did indeed move on to secure the Overall Individual Interbreed Championship of the Black Isle Show and this time in front of interbreed judge Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet. The Scottish Simmental National Show rounded off the 2022 series of breed National Shows which saw the English National within the Royal Lancashire, and the Northern Irish National within the Armagh County Show.

Commenting, the Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “These Simmental National Show events provide a tremendous promotional window through which to see the depth of quality within the Simmental breed across the UK and to highlight established genetics and youngstock with forward potential. A big well done is extended to all exhibitors through the summer who have showcased the breed so well.”

Reserve Supreme Champion & Reserve Female Champion – Denzies Eve’s Beauty

Lifting the Overall Reserve Supreme and Reserve Female Champion at the Scottish Simmental National Show was Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd from MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancs. With a pedigree full of performance and quality bloodlines, the January 2020 born Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd parents are both previous Supreme Champions at the Royal Highland Show, with the sire being Blackford Galaxy 15 and the dam being Auroch Eve, a two-time Highland Champion and voted as the Highland’s Simmental Champion of the Decade in 2020. This latest title for Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd follows hard on the heels of this heifer securing the same Reserve Overall position at the recent English Simmental National Show and where she also featured in the winning Interbreed Team of Four.

Of his Reserve Champion, John Moore said: “Another quality female, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd was a different type of female to the Champion but equally good in her own way. A strong heifer, she’ll make a great cow and go on to do well in the future.”

Overall Junior & Female Junior Champion – Corskie Mimic
Reserve Junior Champion & Male Junior Champion – Corskie Mikah

Throughout the show summer the quality of Simmental females has been very much to the fore and that again proved to be the case at the Simmental Scottish National Show. Lifting the Overall Junior Championship, and the Junior Female title was Corskie Mimic from the noted Corskie herd of Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. January 2021 born, Corskie Mimic is by Kilbride Farm Haka 16 and is out of Corskie Imitation EX90, an Auchorachan Farmer 14 daughter. Doubling up in the Juniors, the Corskie herd also lifted the Junior Male Championship, Overall Junior Reserve, and Reserve Male Champion with the January 2021 born Corskie Mikah. Another by Kilbride Farm Haka, Corskie Mikah is out of Corskie Elissa VG88 who is a Dirnanean Bradley 10 EX93 daughter. Earlier in the summer this young bull, who is now aimed at the October Stirling Sale, placed Reserve Junior Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show. Rounding off a strong show the Corskie team also took the red ticket in the Calf Born in 2022 class with Corskie Nutmeg 22, again by Kilbride Farm Haka and this time out of Corskie Jasmine, a Bel Dhu Capercaillie daughter.

Best Calf – Corskie Nutmeg
Male & Senior Male Champion – Backmuir Kingsley

Capping a fine show for the Backmuir team, and a strong summer season, the homebred Backmuir Kingsley 19 took the Overall Male, and Senior Male Championship awards. This bull is by Islavale Hamilton 16 and is out of Starline Kristle 24th, a Skerrington Warlord 2 daughter. For the record the roll call of titles at the Scottish Simmental National Show for the 80-cow Backmuir herd included: Interbreed Champion; Overall Supreme; Female Champion; Male Champion; Overall Senior Champion; Senior Male Champion; & Best Pair.

Another herd to feature strongly on the day was the noted Blackford herd of Mr WG MacPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness, who took four red ticket first prizes in the classes before moving on to take the Reserve Senior Male; Reserve Junior Male; and Reserve Junior Female Championships. Standing second in his class to the Supreme Champion and taking the Reserve Senior Male position was Blackford Local Hero 20 (P). This young polled bull is by the show sire Heathbrow Important (P), and is out of Blackford Echo VG 86, a Curlieu Knight daughter. At this year’s Royal Highland, Blackford Local Hero 20 (P) led a Simmental 1-2-3 when winning the Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder Interbreed. This is another bull that will now be aimed at the Stirling Simmental October 2022 Bull Sale.

Reserve Junior Male Champion – Blackford Mustang
Reserve Junior Female Champion – Blackford Malia

Taking the Reserve Junior Male title, and placing first in his class, was another Heathbrow Important (P) son in the shape of Blackford Mustang 21 (P). April 2021 born, this bull is out of Blackford Frosty VG89, a Kilbride Farm Doubleaction 12 EX93 daughter. Continuing the run, the August 2021 born Blackford Malia also won her class before moving on to the Reserve Junior Female title. With the same sire as the day’s Reserve Overall, Blackford Malia is by Blackford Galaxy 15 and is out of Blackford Wagtail VG86, a Kilbride Farm Strabane daughter. The remaining Blackford red tickets came in the shape of Blackford Hyalite, a Kilbride Farm Doubleaction daughter who won the class for best female born before 31st July 2019, and the Ranfurly Confederate son Blackford Mosby 21, who won the best bull born on or between 1st July 2021 to 31st December 2021.

Blackford Hyalite & Calf Nijinsky
Blackford Mosby

A massive thank you is extended to all event sponsors and with a particular mention to Mix’N’Mill Ltd as main sponsors. Mix’N’Mill is a family run Agricultural contracting business based in Dingwall who provide a wide range of all Agricultural services and have a mobile service van and workshop. A large range of products are available for retail on premise.

The full list of sponsors includes: Ravenhill Ltd; C&S Smith- Drumsleed; Denis Brinicombe; Alister Young Engineering; Moray Coast Vets; M.A.M Contracting; D. Woods; Netherton Tractors; Highland Tractors; Caithness Livestock Breeders; Simpsons Oils; Sports Masters Ltd; United Auctions; Ross Agri Services; Norvite Ltd; Aberdeen and Northern Marts; Johnston & Carmichael; and the British Simmental Cattle Society Ltd. Thank you to all for your support, it really is greatly appreciated.

Supreme & Reserve Supreme Champions Islavale Lullaby & Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3
Judge John Moore with Richard Pettit – Scottish Club Secretary & Patricia Goldie – Scottish Club Chairperson

Scottish Simmental National Show 2022 results
Held at the Black Isle Show
On Thursday 4 August 2022
Judge: John Moore, Beragh, Co Tyrone of the Omorga Simmental herd

Bull, born before 31/12/2020
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
2 – Mr W G Macpherson (A Firm) – Blackford Local Hero 20 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Bull, born on or between 01/01/2021 – 31/03/2021
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Maximus 21 – s. Team Celtic 11
3 – Jenson Sinclair Gunn – Caithness Maverick 21 – s. Corskie Jackpot 18

Bull, born on or between 01/04/2021 – 30/06/2021, kindly sponsored by Aberdeen & Northern Marts
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 – s. Heathbrow Important 17
2 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Medallion 21 – s. Islavale Jabba 18
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Merlin 21 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
4 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Murry 21 – s. Rockytop Invader 17
5 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Maserati 21 – s. Rockytop Invader 17

Bull, born on or between 01/07/2021 – 31/12/2021
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mosby 21 – s. Ranfurly Confederate

Female, born before 31/07/2019, kindly sponsored by Moray Coast Vets
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Hyalite – s. Kilbride Farm Doubleaction 12
2 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Herb – s. Bel Dhu Capercaillie 11
3 – Pitgaveny Farm – Hazelden Diamond 6th – s. Annick Claymore 11
4 – Grant Stephen – Denizes Cadette 35th – s. Bosahan Dynamo 12
5 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies – Tulla Fawn – s. Auroch Anto

Female, born on or between 01/08/2019 – 31/03/2020
1 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
2 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Rathnashan Legsfirst – s. Dermotstown Delboy
3 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie La-Enna – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
4 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Latice – s. Dirnanean Geldof 15
5 – Pitgaveny Farm – Pitgaveny Lilac – s. Scotland Hill Invader 17
6 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kreole’s Liberty – s. Islavale Imperial 17

Female, born on or between 01/04/2020 – 31/12/2020
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
2 – Gavin Brown – Islavale Liquorice – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11

Female, born on or between 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2021
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Mamma Mia – s. Rockytop Inferno 17
3 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Molly – s. Islavale Jabba 18
4 – Geoff & Kate Anderson – Quarryhill Melody – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11

Female, born on or between 01/07/2021 – 31/12/2021
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Malia – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
2 – Pitgaveny Farm – Pitgaveny Moondust – s. Islavale Kristoff 19
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mimosa – s. Sacombe Kite 19
4 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Flake’s Madison – s. Rockytop I’m Yer Man 17

Calf, born in 2022
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Nutmeg 22 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Grant Stephen – Glendual Nevis 22 – s. Team Celtic 11
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Nijinsky 22 – s. Sacombe Kite 19
4 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies – Scenic Niall 22 – s. Aughenbest Intimidator 17
5 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies, – Scenic Northstar 22 – s. Aughenbest Intimidator 17

Best Pair, any sex
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby & Rathnashan Legsfirst
2 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie La-Enna & Corskie Latice
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 & Blackford Merlin 21
4 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Murry 21 & Coltfield Maserati 21
5 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Maximus 21 & Springfield Medallion 21

Junior Male Champion – presented with the Woodhall Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Junior Male Champion
Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Senior Male Champion
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
Reserve Senior Male Champion
Mr W G Macpherson (A Firm) – Blackford Local Hero 20 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Male Champion – presented with the Islavale Trophy
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
Reserve Male Champion
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16

Junior Female Champion – presented with the Norbrook Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Malia – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Senior Female Champion – presented with the Dem-Master Trophy
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Senior Female Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Female Champion – presented with the Strathearn Rose-bowl
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Female Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Overall Junior Champion – presented with the Zoetis Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Overall Junior Champion
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16

Overall Senior Champion
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Overall Senior Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Supreme Champion – presented with the Neil Ross Challenge Cup & The Drumsleed Cup
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Supreme Champion – presented with the Scottish Club Salver
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Backmuir Kingsley 19 – Class winner of Bull, born on or before 31.12.2020
Corskie Mikah 21 – Class Winner Bull, born on or between 01.01.2021 – 31.03.2021
Blackford Mustang – Class winner Bull, born on or between 01.04.2021 – 30.06.2021
Blackford Mosby 21 – Class winner, Bull born on or between 01.07.2021 – 31.12.2021
Blackford Hyalite – Class winner, Female born before 31.07.2019
Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – Class winner, Female born on or between 01.08.2019 – 31.03.2020
Corskie Mimic – Class winner, Female born on or between 01.01.2021 -30.06.2021
Blackford Malia – Class winner Female born on or between 01.07.2021 – 31.12.2021
Corskie Nutmeg 22 – Class winner Calf born in 2022
Best Pair – Islavale Lullaby & Rathnashan Legsfirst
BACKMUIR WINS 2022 ROYAL HIGHLAND SIMMENTAL SUPREME WITH ISLAVALE LULLABY

BACKMUIR WINS 2022 ROYAL HIGHLAND SIMMENTAL SUPREME WITH ISLAVALE LULLABY

by | Jun 28, 2022 | 2022 Scottish News, 2022 Midlands News, 2022 East Anglia News, 2022 South East News, 2022 News, 2022, 2022 Royal Highland Show

• 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

SIMMENTALS PROVING THEIR ‘DUAL-PURPOSE’ QUALITIES AT MCNEE’S OVER FINLARG FARM

SIMMENTALS PROVING THEIR ‘DUAL-PURPOSE’ QUALITIES AT MCNEE’S OVER FINLARG FARM

by | May 26, 2022 | 2022 Scottish News, 2022 News, 2022

Farm feature on Robert & Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee who along with their children Kate & Alan, are hosting the NSA Scotsheep 2022, and who run the Finlarg pedigree Simmental herd within their 740-acre unit.

NSA Scotsheep 2022 hosts Robert and Hazel McNee have farmed Over Finlarg since 2011 and are well-known breeders of pedigree and commercial livestock.

The couple, along with their young family of Kate and Alan, sell stock the length and breadth of the country, commanding strong prices in the sale ring for various breeds of pedigree bulls, as well as Cheviot Mules and ewe hoggs with lambs at foot.

Since purchasing the farm, the duo has made several improvements to the 740-acre unit, whether it be new farm buildings, fencing, lime spreading or drainage work, while also building up a herd of 200 suckler cows and a flock of 1100 breeding sheep.

Rising from 800ft above sea level, right up to 1200ft on the hill, half of the farm is ploughable but is mainly used for grazing, apart from producing 75 acres of cereals and 25 acres of turnips. The couple also rent a further 40 acres of grass from a neighbouring farmer, as well as a 400-acre heather hill.

Finlarg Jaguar

The beef suckler cow herd includes pedigree Limousins, Luings, Simmentals and Charolais, with 60 Limousins run under the Westhall prefix and 120 pedigree Luings kept in the Finlarg herd.

Around 25 bulls are sold for breeding each year, with Luings having sold to a top of 18,000gns for Finlarg Warrior at Castle Douglas in 2019, and Limousins to 11,500gns at Stirling.

Simmentals came with the duo to Over Finlarg as Hazel established the herd back in 2008 when she purchased Robert a wedding present before they got married. This was Team Clover, which goes back to many of the females in the 15-cow herd today.

Females were also purchased shortly after at the Dirnanean dispersal.

“We used to run the Simmentals under the Benhar prefix but when we moved to Over Finlarg we changed the herd’s name to Finlarg and transferred it into Kate and Alan’s names to give them their own wee project,” explained Hazel.

“The children then purchased Mendick Cara with her heifer calf Mendick Joyce at the Dykes family’s dispersal. Both females have produced bulls sold at auction and we’ve flushed Cara to give us more from that breeding line.”

Kate and Alan have sold quite a few Simmental bulls around the 6000gns and 7000gns mark but their top price to date is 10,000gns achieved at Stirling Bull Sales in February 2020 for Finlarg Jaguar.

Robert added: “The Simmental is a good dual-purpose breed, producing milky females and male calves with good growth rates. We demonstrate first-hand how they can be crossed with other breeds successfully such as the Luing to produce Sim-Luing females and the Limousin which works well for our bull beef enterprise.”

Team Drambuie has been an influential breeder in the Finlarg Simmental herd, with a home-bred son retained.
Kate and Alan also purchased two heifers in August from the Kilbride herd, with one bull calf already on the ground.

The family will have two Simmental bulls available for sale on the day of Scotsheep, both sired by Drambuie. They hope to also have sons by Overhill House Fife heading to Stirling Bull Sales next February.

Bulls not suitable for breeding are sold entire and are fed and finished on a high energy diet based on home-grown barley and wheat. They are sold to ABP Perth and the aim is 1kg of carcase weight per day which is already being achieved by the top performing bulls.

Calving takes place mainly in the spring months, with Luings calving down from the end of March onwards and Limousins calving throughout May/June and November/December.

In the sheep enterprise, around 600 North Country Cheviot Lairg-type ewes run alongside 200 Blackfaces, 60 Texels and 40 traditional and crossing type Bluefaced Leicesters, with an additional 200 home-bred Texel cross and Mule ewe hoggs tupped to the Beltex to sell as hoggs with lambs at foot.
These units have topped at £230, while 260 Cheviot Mule gimmers sold at Longtown last year, produced a new centre record of £232.

All North Country Cheviot gimmers and 100 of the best NCC stock ewes are tupped to Auldallan tups, hired from Robert and Hazel’s brother in-law Bob Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, to produce home-bred replacements, with Blackface gimmers also bred pure for easy lambing.
The remaining Blackfaces go to the crossing type Bluefaced Leicster to produce Scotch Mules.

Pure Texel and Bluefaced Leicester ewes produce tup lambs which the duo use as tup lambs at home first, before selling them the following year as shearlings through Stirling, Huntly, Dingwall and Forfar.
Texel shearlings regularly average £1000 per head, with Bluefaced Leicester tups hitting a top of £1700.


Lambs which don’t make the cut for breeding, are finished and sold deadweight to Scotbeef, with the first lot away by the end of September and the last sold by mid-March.

Robert and Hazel aim to get most of the lambs finished off grass but turnips are used for wintering.
Brother in-law Bob Adam, takes care of the sowing and harvesting, while Robert carries out only the ploughing and spraying himself, resulting in the farm’s investment in machinery being kept minimal.

The business employs one full-time member of staff Alistair McCarthy, who hails from Caithness, as well as local girl Jody Jackson, who is working at Over Finlarg during the lambing period and on the run up to Scotsheep.

ROCKYTOP SIMMENTAL BULL SELLS TO £4000 AT DINGWALL

ROCKYTOP SIMMENTAL BULL SELLS TO £4000 AT DINGWALL

by | May 18, 2022 | 2022 Scottish News

The November 2020 born Simmental bull Rockytop Lennox from Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly sold for an excellent £4000 at Dingwall and Highland Marts special sale of 287 adult head of breeding cattle yesterday, Wednesday 18th May.

Sired by Rathnashan Jasper and out of Rockytop Willows Holliday, a Corskie Cannon daughter, Rockytop Lennox was sold to an online bidder, Messrs Nicholson, Caithness.

This latest sale from the Rockytop herd follows on from the recent sale of Rockytop Leo for 4000gns in late April and at Aberdeen & Northern Marts Thainstone centre.

INNERWICK SIMMENTAL BULLING HEIFERS TO £2350, KIRKTON SIMMENTAL HEIFERS WITH CALVES AT FOOT TO £2600 AT STIRLING’S SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL CLUB SALE

INNERWICK SIMMENTAL BULLING HEIFERS TO £2350, KIRKTON SIMMENTAL HEIFERS WITH CALVES AT FOOT TO £2600 AT STIRLING’S SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL CLUB SALE

by | May 2, 2022 | 2022 Scottish News, 2022 News, 2022, 2022 Other Sales

Dorothy Moffat with grandson Logan

Simmental bulling heifers from Dorothy Moffat, Innerwick Farm, Dunbar sold strongly and to £2350 at the Scottish Simmental Club Annual Show and Sale sponsored by Carrs Billington and held within a sale of some 340 breeding cattle at Stirling on Monday May 2nd. From a quality offering a number of Innerwick heifers made over the £2000 mark with 14 in all averaging £1915.

Innerwick heifers pictured prior to the sale
Chris Johnston, Kirkton



Simmental cattle featured throughout the sale and to a top of £2600 for a Simmental X heifer with heifer calf at foot, and also for two Simmental X Heifers with bull calves at foot, from Iain Johnston, Kirkton. Some of the leading Simmental prices on the day included:
Bulling Hfrs: Innerwick(Sim) £2350, £2250 & £2200; WJ Millar, Huntingfaulds (SimX) £1850 & £1720.
Heifers and Bull Calves: Iain Johnston, Kirkton (SimX) £2600×2.
Heifers and Heifer Calves: Iain Johnston, Kirkton (SimX) £2600.
Cows and Bull Calves: Corsehillhead (SimX) £1850
Cows and Heifer Calves: Corsehillhead (SimX) £1850×2
Prize List judged by J Thomson, Hilton of Beath
Pen of 4 SimX bulling hfrs, over 15 months.
1st W Moffat, Innerwick £2350
2nd W J Millar, Hunting Faulds £1850
3rd M J & A M Mill, Shawsmill £1500
SimmentalX Heifer and Calf
1st Iain Johnston, Kirkton £2600
2nd Iain Johnston, Kirkton £2400



Thank you to all vendors for your support of this Scottish Simmental Club Sale of commercial breeding cattle, and thanks also to Carrs Billington for their valued sponsorship.

Carr’s Billington