• Delfur double up in the Overall & Junior Championships • Springfield take Senior Championship and Overall Reserve • 60 Simmentals entered at Youngstock Show
Following hard on the heels of a record breaking sale day at Stirling, Simmental breeders turned their attention just four days later to the Simmental Youngstock Show hosted by the North West Simmental Club and British Simmental Cattle Society, and held within the Borderway Agri Expo event at Carlisle.
Supreme & Junior Champion Delfur Nifty
After some fantastic classes featuring a high quality entry, the judge for the day Heather Duff of the noted Pitmudie herd, Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus, tapped out the classy heifer Delfur Nifty from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour as the day’s Overall Champion having earlier awarded her the Junior Championship. In a cracking day for the Delfur herd, first time exhibitors at the Simmental Youngstock Show, Delfur Weigela followed her stablemate through from the class to lift the Reserve Junior Championship. Quite a debut day for the Delfur herd and with the cattle being shown by well-known herd manager Garry Patterson.
Commenting on her choice of Champion the judge Heather Duff said: “My Champion is just a super Simmental heifer. She’s very stylish and eye catching with a lot of breed character, she has great lines to her and is I think a very modern Simmental female with a big future ahead of her.”
November 2022 born, Delfur Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. The Reserve Junior Champion, Delfur Weigela N12 is also by Ballymoney Larry and is out of Delfur Weigela E12, an Auchorachan ACDC daughter. Just for good measure the two then teamed up at the end of the day to lift the Simmental Pairs Championship!
Speaking afterwards Garry Patterson, who took over as Delfur herd manager in May last year, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this event from within such a big entry and across a really high standard of Simmental cattle. The Borderway Agri Expo is a great industry event and presents a real opportunity to build the Delfur profile and showcase cattle in the herd. I think a lot of these two heifers but against the level of competition you can never expect to or anticipate winning the Overall Supreme and Juniro Champion & Reserve, so a cracking day.” From here both heifers have been entered to the Stars of the Future and LiveScot events. Ballymoney Larry, one of the first Saltire Impressive sons at sales, was a bull purchased for 9000gns prior to Garry joining Delfur and has left some terrific calves before being sadly lost to injury. The present herd sire starting to leave progeny is the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum who was purchased in October last year. The Delfur herd presently comprises of 120 breeding females and Garry says a forward aim is simply working on the breeding females and keeping the quality high: “We’re trying to capture the very best of female genetics and to build on that. Some embryo work and possibly flushing the mothers of these two heifers will really help with that.”
The Simmental Youngstock Show saw a fantastic entry of sixty cattle, the events largest to date by some distance, and with entries from nineteen breeders ranging from the north of Scotland down through to the south of England, and from Wales! Of the general show, Heather Duff went on to say: “I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors for putting on such a great show. There was a depth in quality in the classes that really showcased young Simmental cattle with a lot of potential. It made my judging job a very enjoyable one and I would like to thank both the North West Club and the Society for inviting me to judge this prestigious event.” Along with her parents Arthur and Jennifer, Heather aims to build the Pitmudie herd up to fifty calving cows to run alongside their 110-strong commercial herd. No strangers themselves to the showring the Pitmudie herd have enjoyed a terrific show summer themselves with a number of wins including at Fettercairn, and Kirriemuir Shows respectively.
Reserve Supreme & Senior Champion Springfield Neptune
Having won the Overall Supreme, and the Reserve Supreme & Reserve Junior Championships in two previous visits, Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik was back at it again and this time winning the Overall Senior Championship and Overall Reserve with the April 2022 born Springfield Neptune. Neptune is by the herd’s 6000gns stock bull Islavale Jabba, and is out of Springfield Ivory, a Shiloh Freedom daughter. From here Springfield Neptune will be aimed at the February 2024 Stirling Bull Sale. Islavale Jabba was purchased for 6000gns in 2020 and his first bulls at Stirling last year averaged 5000gns and with a good run of heifers levelling at 4500gns. Springfield Major, the champion at Borderway in 2021, and also a Jabba son, sold for 7500gns at Stirling in February this year. Another strong day’s showing at Borderway on Friday saw the Springfield herd pick up two firsts, three seconds, and a third in addition to their Overall Reserve Championship win.
Reserve Senior Champion Braegarrie Nadia
Taking the Reserve Senior Championship was the classy heifer Braegarrie Nadia from Lindsay and Robert Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan, Ayrshire. This April born heifer is by Woodhall Ferrari and is out of Braegarrie Julia, a Keeldrum Geronimo daughter. In August this year Nadia had been part of the winning Pair at the Scottish Simmental National Show held at Dumfries. At Carlisle the Braegarrie herd again featured in the Pairs when winning the Reserve with the bull Braegarrie Nightrider, an Overhill House Link son, and Braegarrie Nigella a heifer by the same sire. In another strong day’s showing the Braegarrie herd took three firsts, and a second along with their Reserve titles.
Other class winners on the day came from the Pistyll herd of GA & HM Francis; the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons; Cameron Jackson’s Future herd; and the Fishpool herd of Tom & Jenny Hassall.
A massive thank you is extended to all breeders who supported the 2023 Simmental Youngstock Show and put on another fantastic promotion and showcase of Simmental cattle with forward potential.
Class 1 – Bull born on or between 01.01.2021 & 31.03.2022 No entries
Class 2 – Bull born on or between 01.04.2022 & 30.07.2022 1 – Lot 701: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEPTUNE s. Islvala Jabba 2 – Lot 702: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NIAGARA s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 704: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NUGGET s. Denizes Hamish 4 – Lot 704A: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NEFF s. Denizes Hamish
Class 3 – Bull Born on or between 01.08.2022 and 15.09.2022 1 – Lot 707: Barlow Brothers DENIZES NEWTON s. Denizes Hamish
Class 4 – Bull born on or between 16.09.2022 & 31.12.2022 1 – Lot 708: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NAVIGATOR s. Overhill House Link 2 – Lot 712: DL & Currie BRAEGARRIE NIGHTRIDER s. Overhill House Link 3 – Lot 713: R & L Storersmith STORERSMITH NAVARONE s. Clonagh Latin Lover 4 – Lot 710: R & L Storersmith STORERSMITH NEWTON s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Class 5 – Bull born on or between 01.01.2023 & 15.03.2023 1 – Lot 719: GA & HM Francis PISTYLL PABLO s. Pitmudie Lancelot 2 – Lot 718: Andrew Ryder RYDEN PADDY POWER s. Sacombe Juggernaut 3 – Lot 720: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS PACQUAIO s. Auchorachan Kennedy
Pistyll Pablo
Class 6 – Bull Born on or after 16.03.2023 1 – Lot 722: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD PERRY s. Islavale Jabba
Class 7: Heifer on or between 01.01.2022 & 31.03.2022 1 – Lot 726: Future Livestock FUTURE NEW GIRL s. Banwy Bonzo 2 – Lot 724: Barlow Brothers DENIZES MELODY 48 s. Blackford Galaxy 3 – Lot 723: Nick Edmondson CRAKESIDE NINA KUTZ s. Edenbank Iceman
Future New Girl
Class 8 – Heifer born on or between 01.04.2022 & 30.07.2022 1 – Lot 728: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NADIA s. Woodhall Ferrari 2 – Lot 731: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NEXT GENERATION s. Islavale Jabba 3 – Lot 729: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD NITA s. Islavale Jabba 4 – Lot 730: Barlow Brothers DENIZES CADETTE 44TH s. Denizes Hamish
Class 9 – Heifer born on or between 01.08.2022 & 15.09.2022 1 – Lot 736: DL & S Currie BRAEGARRIE NIGELLA s. Overhill House Link 2 – Lot 737: Barlow Brothers DENIZES MELODY 53 s. Hiltonstown Lorenzo 3 – Lot 735: PA & DM Cade CADE FIFI’S NALA s. Sacombe Jameson 4 – Lot 776: Frank Gwynne CASTLEWIGG RINGLEADER GIRLIE 3 s. Blackford Ringleader
Braegarrie Nigella
Class 10 – Heifer born on or between 16.09.2022 & 31.12.2022 1 – Lot 742: Delfur Farms DELFUR NIFTY s. Ballymoney Larry 2 – Lot 741: Delfur Farms DELFUR WEIGELA N12 s. Ballymoney Larry 3 – Lot 743: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS NAP s. Newbiemains Daz 4 – Lot 744: GA & HM Francis PISTYLL NERYS s. Anatrim Bodybuilder
Class 11 – Heifer born on or between 01.01.2023 & 15.03.2023 1 – Lot 749: T & J Hassall FISHPOOL POPPY s. Newbiemains Kalypso 2 – Lot 751: JF & C Saunders MAIDENLANDS POLARINE 4P (P) s. Derrycallaghan Kingkong 3 – Lot 754: Jim & Patricia Goldie NEWBIEMAINS PRETTY WOMAN s. Auchorachan Kennedy 4 – Lot 750: PA & SM Cade CADE KATHLEEN’S PRADA s. Sacombe Jameson
Class 12 – Heifer born on or after 16.03.2023 1 – Lot 758: Mr D C Houldey MANOR PARK PATRICA s. Omorga Murphy 2 – Lot 759: Gavin Brown SPRINGFIELD PEARL s. Islavale Jabba
• Eleven-year-old cow wins the Supreme Championship • Kilbride Farm Jetstream is Overall Reserve • 2023 competition sees 431 entries over six classes
After some six weeks of online judging through July and August, and with 431 animals entered from 81 pedigree breeders all over the United Kingdom, the 2023 Simmental Virtual Show Championship has been won by the eleven-year-old cow Vale Royal Annie from James Arnold, Tarporley, Cheshire. Mr Arnold has now won this fledgling but high-profile competition, the UK’s largest online pedigree show, twice in its four-year history having won the inaugural event with Vale Royal Heavenly Girlie in 2020.
The Simmental Virtual Show was started as a ‘bit of fun’ during Covid lockdown but its popularity has seen it grow into one of the most anticipated and highlight Simmental show events of the year. This year’s event has seen 431 animals entered over the six classes, up by 145 on last year.
Vale Royal Annie initially prevailed from a tremendous class of 92 Cows-in-milk, judged by Bridget Olds of the Bosahan herd, Falmouth, Cornwall, before securing the Female Championship from the section judge John Barlow of the Denizes herd, Nr Leyland, Lancs. In the Supreme Championship, judged by David Lowry of the noted Keeldrum Herd, Newsteadings Farm, Lanark, she went head-to-head with the Male Champion Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare, before duly being announced as the winner.
Commenting, David Lowry said: Vale Royal Annie is just a tremendous example of the Simmental breed. She’s eleven-years-old and in the picture she just retains such a freshness, and is full of breed character and femininity. Annie has an excellent top line on her, lovely balanced body, a tremendous udder for her age and looks to be standing on a good set of legs. With nine calves to her name she’s also a terrific example of the longevity that is typical of Simmental females and I think she’s a very worthy Supreme Champion.”
2018 born, the Male Champion and Reserve Overall, Kilbride Farm Jetstream is by the homozygous polled bull Sneumgaard Imperator (PP), and is out of Kilbride Farm Dora 70F from one of the herd’s noted cow families. Kilbride Farm Jetstream won the fifth class of this year’s show and which comprised of a hugh quality entry of 26 Senior Simmental Bulls judged by Alan Wilson of the Bannhill herd, Dorans Hill, Newry. Moving into the Championships, Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) was awarded the Male Championship by the section judge Stewart Stronach of the Islavale herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith.
Of the Overall Reserve, David Lowry said: “Again, this is a terrific Simmental bull. He’s just about five-years-old and is extremely smart. He shows plenty of breed character with a good head, has lovely fleshing with excellent muscling, and appears to be standing on a good set of legs. Correct and square over the plates this is a very modern type Simmental bull and who has come through some very strong classes.”
For a delighted James Arnold, the Supreme Championship win was also a poignant one as Annie’s mum Curaheen Annie was bought as an 8-month-old heifer on his last trip away with his father (Hugo Arnold of the noted Hockenhull herd). After the Championship news was announced, James Arnold said: “It feels amazing to have won this competition and for a second time. The Simmental Virtual Show is great fun but the standard of entries this year has been really top drawer. I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors who’ve put on a fantastic promotion of the quality and potential in the Simmental breed.”
Continuing he said, “Vale Royal Annie is an incredible cow. She’s bred to every bull she’s been put to and has produced nine calves. All bar one of her five bull calves have gone to pedigree breeders and with arguably the best of the lot going to a commercial producer. We sell them young due to our set up and in one instance she bred a £10,000 bull sold to the Crowgey herd at 11-month-sold. Her latest bull calf Vale Royal North Star was sold to the Bailey family’s noted Mixbury Hall herd in Northamptonshire this year.
“Annie has been amazing for us. She’s so low maintenance, gets in calf easily and first time, is so sound and just very feminine. I think this year at eleven-years-old she’s looking as well as she ever has done, and she’s back in calf to Curaheen Wakeman. There’s been many offers to buy her over the years but Annie’s part of the furniture and definitely not for sale!”
In the four years of the event the Simmental Virtual Show has seen in excess of an incredible 2200 pedigree Simmentals entered. With the return of live summer showing the number of Virtual Show classes has been refined but the interest in the event continues to grow. Commenting the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “A massive well done to the Championship winners and to all of the Simmental breeders who have entered this year and put on another fantastic Simmental show case. We can see that live showing is becoming more challenging and recognise the forward potential in this event. As such we’ll keep providing the platform for breeders large and small, in all geographies, to take part easily and showcase their Simmental stock. The social media numbers watching the show are remarkable and the audience extends well beyond the UK to cattle lovers from all round the globe which is great to see.”
To see the class winners and all of the entries in this year’s 2023 Simmental Virtual Show then please visit the Society’s Facebook page, and also go to www.britishsimmental.co.uk.
Four new classes added in all, two in the bulls, and two in the heifers
Show extended to twelve classes plus the Championships
Closing date for entries is 25th September
The North West Simmental Breeders’ Club, in association with the British Simmental Cattle Society, is delighted to announce the addition of four new classes to the annual Simmental Pedigree Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle, and this year on Friday 27th October.
2021 Borderway Simmental Calf Show Champion: Springfield Major
Extending the age range for entries, two new classes have been introduced in both the bull and heifer sections and for animals born between 1st January 2022 and 31st March 2022; and also 1st April 2022 and 31st July 2022. The new schedule will now see twelve classes in all followed by the Championships, including an Overall Senior Champion, and an Overall Calf Champion. Thereafter there is a Pairs Class, and two classes for Young Handlers aged between 10 and 15 years; and 16 and 28 years.
Commenting, the North West Simmental Club Chairman Clive Houldey said: “The Simmental Calf Show has been a tremendous opportunity to show case pedigree Simmentals at what has become the largest one day autumn show in the UK. As such we are delighted to introduce these new classes and ‘upgrade’ the event name to Simmental Youngstock Show! We very much hope and anticipate that these additions extend the opportunities for Simmental breeders to promote and market their cattle and breeding potential.”
Endorsing these comments the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Chairman of Shows & Sales North John Barlow said: “There’s been a significant momentum at Simmental Society Bull Sales, breeders’ sales, and at new fixtures such as the Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves introduced at Carlisle. Shows such as this really provide a platform to promote and market Simmental stock to both commercial producers and pedigree breeders.”
Judging the extended schedule of classes will be Heather Duff from the noted Pitmudie pedigree herd at Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus.
The ‘upgraded’ North West Simmental Club Youngstock Show, in association with the British Simmental Cattle Society, represents the opportunity to put on another showcase of Simmental breeding and forward potential and is very much one to look forward to!
Super Simmentals stole the headlines on day two of the 2023 Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate as the breed secured a memorable hat-trick of Interbreed title wins. Leading the way was the six-year-old Popes Princess Immie, with her bull calf at foot Popes Premier, from Messrs JH & VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs who won this historic show’s Overall Supreme Beef Interbreed Championship in front of the Interbreed judge, Gail Ellis, St Ives Cornwall.
Sired by Kilbride Farm Comber, Popes Princess Immie is out of the much decorated show cow Popes Princess Cleo who herself secured the herd’s first Overall Supreme Interbreed at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2017 and also as a six-year-old, and with Immie as her calf at foot!
With rolling Interbreeds through the morning, the Simmental breed had already secured the Overall Junior Interbreed title through the April 2022 born Heathbrow Natasha, the Simmental Junior, & Junior Female Champion from the noted Heathbrow herd of D&L Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Herts. Dominating the juniors, the Simmentals confirmed a fantastic day when winning the Junior Interbreed. The team consisted of the Simmental Male & Junior Male Champion Heathbrow Nationwide from the Sapseds; Heathbrow Natasha, the Simmental Junior, & Junior Female Champion also from the Sapseds; Popes Princess Noor, the Simmental Reserve Junior, and Reserve Junior Female from Messrs JH&VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs; and Williams Ellie’s Nelly, who stood third in a strong class behind both the Junior, & Reserve Junior Champions, and exhibited by William Clarke Livestock Ltd, Model Farm, Hevingham, Norwich.
Winning Junior Interbreed team
The summer ‘major’ shows have seen some quality line ups of Simmental cattle and the Great Yorkshire Show carried on this trend and with exhibitors from Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire, Buckinghamshire, and Scotland.
Judge Dafydd Jones
On day one on Tuesday 10th July, the rain just about held off for the judging and under the watchful eye of Dafydd Jones of the noted Banwy Simmental herd, Welshpool, Powys. The day’s Champion, Popes Princess Immie, emerged from the first female class of the day, cow or heifer in-calf or with calf at foot, before powering through to take the Female Championship, and the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship. Immie is by the 20,000gns stock bull Kilbride Farm Comber, and has been shown through the summer with her tremendous bull calf at foot, the January born Popes Premier sired by Popes Lethal Weapon. Commenting on his choice of Champion, Dafydd Jones said: “My Champion is a thick, easy fleshing cow with plenty of width. She’s just full of milk and we can see the great job she’s doing of her calf at foot. Full of breed character she’s just a typical modern Simmental mum!” Of his day’s judging and the overall show of Simmentals, Dafydd Jones went on to say: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to judge the Simmental classes at a renowned show like the Great Yorkshire. The classes, particularly the females, were very strong throughout and full of breeding potential. Well done to all of the exhibitors and it was terrific, and well deserved, to see the breed go on to do so well in the Interbreed competitions the next day.”
Strong supporters of the Simmental sections at summer majors over the years, 2023 has proven to be another highly successful year for the Popes team of Jimmy, Vikki, Hannah, and Harry Wood. The win at the Great Yorkshire Show confirmed an outstanding ‘double, double’ with the Popes herd winning the Simmental English National Show and Great Yorkshire Show Overall Simmental Supreme titles in both 2022, and 2023. Both respective Champions, Popes Princess Immie, and Popes Princess Lumi, are out of the multi decorated Popes Princess Cleo. Immie’s Overall Supreme Interbreed title at the Great Yorkshire, and the Reserve Continental Interbreed at the Royal Norfolk has been significant icing on top of another tremendous show summer. Popes Princess Cleo secured the herd’s first Great Yorkshire Show Supreme Interbreed title when winning back in 2017.
Speaking to this further success, Vikki Wood said: “We are just blown away to win both the Simmental Championship and this prestigious Overall Supreme Interbreed. To win against the quality that was in the Simmental lines and then against the best in show just means everything and is very special. It’s a win for a Red Rose herd in the White Rose county, but the Great Yorkshire Show really is one of our favourites and we love coming here.”
Next up for Popes Princess Immie is a trip to the Scottish National Show being held within Dumfries Show on Saturday 5th August, and within an entry of 70 pedigree Simmentals. One not to be missed!
Reserve Overall Champion Brandane Millie
Making his mark this summer is young Simmental breeder Finlay Soutter (17), Yew Tree Farm, Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire and who lifted the Reserve Overall Simmental title with his February 2021 born heifer Brandane Millie. Millie is the foundation female in Finlay’s newly established Millennium Simmental pedigree herd, and was bred by well-known breeder and stockman Jimmy McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds. With a depth of pedigree Brandane Millie is by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, and out of the noted Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale. As a young heifer Millie was successfully shown in 2022 by Jimmy McMillan and where she won a number of awards including the Junior Female Championship at the Royal Highland. Coming through a strong class for heifers born in 2021, the Reserve Overall title was a fantastic achievement for Finlay Soutter and or Brandane Millie who the judge Dafydd Jones described as being “an upstanding powerful Simmental heifer again with width, presence and character, and who I have no doubt will go on to make a first quality Simmental cow.”
A high-quality first step in the pedigree path, Brandane Millie was purchased privately by Finlay’s granddad, Doug Mash, Chesham, Bucks and was gifted to Finlay as a birthday present to initiate his Millenium herd. The Reserve title at the Great Yorkshire followed on from the Royal Norfolk and where Finlay, accompanied by Brandane Millie, won the Young Handlers trophy and which he received from William, Prince of Wales. Next step for this Millie will see her head to Llanellwedd Wells and the upcoming Royal Welsh Show.
With the herd dispersing in October this year due to retirement, the summer 2023 show season has been a showcase of the quality that will be on offer at the sale from the noted Heathbrow Simmental herd of David & Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Herts. The Great Yorkshire Show very much emphasised this with the Heathbrow herd’s roll of honours including: the Overall Junior Interbreed title; two animals in the winning Junior Interbreed team; the Simmental Male Championship; Simmental Junior Championship; the Simmental Pairs; second in the cow class; and second in the Group of Three!
The Junior Interbreed Champion, and Junior Simmental Champion, came in the shape of the classy Heathbrow Natasha. Again, with plenty of breeding behind her Natasha is by Heathbrow Important and is out of the imported Raceview Emerald Alicia600. Heathbrow Important himself won the Overall Interbreed at the Great Yorkshire in 2019 and in the same year won four out of four interbreed titles and was crowned European Simmental of the Year. A herd built around quality female lines, Raceview Emerald Alicia600 is from the noted Kim bloodline, and has been a top breeding family in the Heathbrow herd. Commenting, Dafydd Jones said: “This was a very stylish, balanced and correct heifer, and again who has all the potential to go on to be a super Simmental breeding female.” In one of the strongest classes of the day, Heathbrow Natasha pipped Popes Princess Noor from the Wood family into second place, and William’s Ellie’s Nelly from Andrew & Hayley Clarke, William Clarke Livestock Ltd, Model Farm, Hevingham, Norwich into third. Come the second day these three heifers joined with the Sapseds Male Champion, Heathbrow Nationwide, to make a sparkling team that went on to win the Overall junior Interbreed title and again in front of Gail Ellis, St Ives Cornwall.
With a connectivity in breeding, the April 2022 born ET calf Popes Princess Noor if by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie, a Popes Princess Cleo daughter. This heifer, who placed Reserve Overall Junior, won the breed Junior Championship at the Simmental English National Show at the Royal Norfolk. Entirely homebred, the February 2022 born Williams Ellie’s Nelly is by Williams Josef 18, and is out of Williams Beauxbaton’s Ellie. The five-year-old Williams Josef is a Clonagh Diehard Gallant son.
Male Champion Heathbrow Nationwide
The aforementioned Heathbrow Nationwide won both the Male Championship and the Junior Male Championship for the Sapseds. This young February 2022 born bull is the first calf by the herd’s stock bull Blackford Kirk and is out of Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy. Again with a depth of breeding in the pedigree, Blackford Kirk is a son of the Royal Highland winning bull Blackford Galaxy, whilst Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy comes from another strong breeding family in the herd and was herself Reserve breed Champion at the 2022 Great Yorkshire Show. The Heathbrow herd comprises of 100 head in total with 40 cows plus followers, and heifers. The much-anticipated Dispersal Sale will take place at United Auctions Stirling Livestock Market on Monday 23rd October and following the autumn Simmental Bull sale on the same day.
Reserve Male Champion Newbiemains Nightrider
Standing second in his class to the Male Champion was Newbiemains Nightrider from Scottish exhibitors Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. The February 2022 born Nightrider is by Annick Klondyke, and is out of Newbiemains Jetstream, a Newbiemains Golden Eye daughter.
Overall Champion and ReserveSimmental Pairs winnersMale Champion and ReserveJunior Interbreed Heathbrow NatashaSimmental Group of Three from the Wacton Herd of Sam Steggles
Great Yorkshire Show 2023 Judge Mr D Jones, Welshpool, Powys Results from the Simmental judging on Day One
Bull, born on or after 1 January 2022. 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Nationwide 2nd Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Nightrider 3rd Mr P Gunter Fircovert Neptune 4th William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Nicholas 22
Cow or Heifer, in calf or with calf at foot, having had a certified calf before attaining the age of 3 years. 1st Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Princess Immie 2nd Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Jasmine 3rd Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Just a Star 4th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Lizbet
Heifer, born in 2021. 1st Mr FS Soutter Brandane Millie 2nd Mr RE & SHW Steggles Denizes Eves Beauty 7th 3rd Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Trixies Mikala 4th Mr J Goldie Newbiemains My Girl 5th Miss LH Harding Hallway Winnies Majesty 6th Mr RE & SHW Steggles Scotland Hill Ivy Molly 7th Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Milky Way 8th Mr RE & SHW Steggles Brandane Mint
Heifer, born in 2022 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Natasha 2nd Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Princess Noor 3rd William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Ellies Nelly 4th Mr CA Jackson Future New Girl 5th William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Nalha Kat 6th Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Nap 7th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Noel 8th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Nancy
Group of Three animals. 1st Mr RE & SHW Steggles 2nd Mr & Mrs D&L Sapsed 3rd Mr J Goldie
Pair of animals 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed 2nd Mr RE & SHW Steggles 3rd William Clarke Livestock Ltd 4th Mr J Goldie
• Record Simmental average at Carlisle of £6519 • 100% clearance rate with all 12 bulls sold • Eight bulls make 6000gns and more • Midhope lead the pedigree females at 3800gns • Auchorachan top the Simmental High Health bulling heifer sale at £3800 • Chestermann Reduction Sale tops at 3300gns
Richard McCulloch, Overhill House, Armadale, West Lothian led a terrific Simmental bull sale at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart when he took the 10,000gns sale top price with Overhill House McCoy at the breed’s May Carlisle Sale on Saturday, May 13th.
Overhill House McCoy 10,000gns
A strong demand from a packed ring side saw a 100% clearance of the 12 bulls forward and a centre record average at this May fixture of £6519. In all, eight bulls made 6000gns and more with top price bulls selling to Orkney, Aberdeen, Northumberland, Hawick, Derbyshire, and Newton Stewart. A busy Simmental day saw pedigree females sell to 3900gns, whilst the newly introduced sale of Simmental X High Health heifers saw a top price of £3800 and 33 average £1790.
Earlier in the day, the December 2021 born Overhill House McCoy had been placed as the Supreme Champion in the pre-sale show of bulls by the judge Harry Wood of the noted Popes herd, Dutton, Lancashire. Come sale time some fast bidding for this bull saw him race to 10,000gns before being knocked down to prolific Simmental bull buyer Liam Muir, Stromness, Orkney. Mr Muir was purchasing the bull for clients in the shape of Ronnie & Gladys Brown, Newhall, Stromness, and for their 60-cow suckler herd. Commenting after the sale Mr Muir said: “This is just a good Simmental bull. He has width, plenty of length, great style, and is the dark red colour I was also looking for.”
These thoughts were echoed by the judge Harry Wood who speaking immediately after the sale said: “The Champion is just what you’re looking for in a modern Simmental. He had a good top line, was good on his legs, had plenty of breed character, and is the colour that buyers are looking for.”
Judge Harry Wood Popes herd
The Supreme Championship and sale top price made it a double for the Overhill House herd who achieved the same feat at the recent Stirling Simmental Sale with the 16,000gns all-breeds top priced Overhill House Neil. Overhill House McCoy is by the 24,000gns Islavale Heston, the same sire as the herd’s Stirling topper, and is out of Islavale Caitlin a heifer bought privately as a yearling from the Islavale herd.
In all, eight bulls made 6000gns or more. Simmental bulls with polled genetics have increasingly been in demand and the second top price at Carlisle was the 8000gns paid for the heterozygous polled Auchorachan Monarch ET 21 (P), from D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. This August 2021 born bull, who placed first in the first class, is by the heterozygous polled bull Lykke Iceman P, and is out of the Omorga Samson sired daughter Auchorachan Autumn EX94. A bull with length, power, and breeding, Auchorachan Monarch ET 21 (P), was purchased by the commercial producer, A&L Craig & Co, Downiehills Farm, Peterhead. A few lots later and the Durnos sold the entirely homebred Auchorachan Maserati for 6500gns to the Firm of McKinnel, Drumneil Farm, Newton Stewart. November 2021 born this bull, another with length and width, is by the prolific Auchorachan Hercules, and is out of Auchorachan Letta H2 VG88.
Auchorachan Monarch 8000gns
Two bulls made 7000gns. The first of these was the upstanding Newbiemains Mammoth from Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire. Standing second in his class, this July 2021 bull with size and length, is by Newbiemains Jetset 18, and is out Newbiemains Joy VG 87, an Islavale Frontier daughter. Off to Northumberland, he was bought for the commercial herd of CJ Sutherland, Ross Farm, Belford. Speaking after the sale, Mr Sutherland said: “I liked this bull immediately as he had size, length, wasn’t overdone and I think is a good honest bull. He’ll be put to use straight away in the commercial herd.” Mr Sutherland’s commercial herd comprises of 140 suckler cows.
Newbiemains Mammoth 7000gns
Also at 7000gns was T Hill & R Wright, Wadworth, Doncaster with the October 2021 born Scotland Hill McCoy. This bull followed the Champion through his class to take the Reserve Overall Championship in the pre-sale show. Sired by Clonagh King Eyes, and out of Scotland Hill Avril 2nd, Scotland Hill McCoy sold to the Borders and to IHG Warden, Skelfhill Farm, Hawick. Commenting afterwards, Mr Warden said: “This is the most we’ve paid for a bull at Carlisle, but we certainly think Scotland Hill McCoy will be worth it. He’ll be put to work at the end of June and will be run with 30 Luing heifers. The Simm Luing cross really works for us and we put them back to a Limousin bull. The bull had a certain finesse about him, and we think he’ll be perfect to produce nice hill females.” Strong supporters of the Simmental sales, the 65-cow Scotland Hill has previously sold bulls at Carlisle to 8800gns.
Scotland Hill McCoy 7000gns
Regular vendors at Carlisle, Mr DC Houldey, Kirtleton House, Lockerbie made 6500gns when selling their December 2021 born Manor Park Mickey. Sired by Corskie Ebay 13, and out of Manor Park Bronte, this bull had strong figures being +11 for Maternal (Milk), in the top 5% of the breed, and +82 for 400 Day Weight, within the top 10% of the breed. Purchasing this bull was TW Hamilton & Son, Kirkton of Crawford, Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Polled genetics was again to the fore when the heterozygous polled Rooklea Newyear 22 (P), the last bull in the ring, from Mrs A Trafford, Springfield Farm, Cockermouth made 6500gns when selling to Peter & Andrea Booth who run the Barleyclose pedigree herd at Gun Lane Farm, Belper, Derbyshire. A January 2022 born calf, Rooklea Newyear 22 (P) is by the imported sire Losning Iver (P), and is out of Rooklea Jasmine, a Kilbride Farm Glenhead 1 (P) daughter.
The final bull at 6000gns and over was Braegarrie Maverick from DL&S Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan. October 2021 born this calf got by AI is by the well-known Woodhall Ferrari sire and is out of Braegarrie Vanessa who previously produced the 7900gns Braegarrie Bravo a Male Champion at Carlisle. From this milky dam line, and with a Maternal (Milk) figure of +9, Braegarrie Maverick was bought on the day by R McKinnel & Sons, Garrarrie Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart.
Midhope Matilda 3800gns
In the small show of Simmental females, the top price was 3800gns for the March 2021 born in-calf heifer Midhope Matilda from regular consignors WJ Hollingsworth, Midhope Farm, Sheffield. This heifer by Delfur Chas 11, was another to go to the Barleyclose herd of Messrs Booth, Belper, Derbyshire. From the same home, Midhope Melanie made 3500gns when selling to Philiphaugh Estate, Selkirk. March 2021 born, Melanie is by Denizes Johnny
The newly introduced sale of SimmX HighHealth bulling heifers drew much attention and again met with a strong trade. Leading this sale, and rounding off a good day’s trading, was D&R Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, with a September 2021 born Simmental heifer making £3800 and being one of two purchases by James Hodge, Dreghorn, Irvine. Other leading prices in this sale saw the Houldeys, Manor Park sell heifers to £2600, and £2500 x 2. As well as the top price of £3800, the Durnos sold further heifers to £2400, £2200, £2100, and £1900 x 2. Messrs Freeman, Troutbeck Farm, Winderemere sold 14-month-old Simm x Luings to £1850 x 2, and £1800 x2. S&L Dodd, Tundergarth Mains, Lockerbie sold 12- to 14-month-old Simm x Luings to £1800 x 4; and Messrs Finlay McGowan, Incheoch Farm, Alyth sold 12 to 13-month-old Simm x Luings to £1750 x3. In all, 33 Simm X High Health bulling heifers averaged £1790.
The Simmental section also saw a major reduction sale for the Chesterman Herd of Nick & Nadia Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm, Newton Stewart. Being held due to a change in farming policy, the Chestermann herd is well recognised at Carlisle and with the herd topping last year’s bull sale at 6200gns, and 6000gns. The sale on the day saw a top price of 3300gns paid for the seven-year-old Chestermann Data Nonne 3, sold with her heifer calf at foot Chestermann Empire Nonne 4. Purchasing this outfit was Andy Wilson for his Cairnview pedigree herd at Kilwinning, Ayrshire. Four further lots made 3000gns as 12 in all averaged £2703.75.
Across the sections on the day the Simmental sale grossed £180,755.
AVERAGES
12 Bulls £6518.75 33 Simm High Health heifers £1790 4 Heifers £2756.25 12 Chesterman Reduction Sale £2703.75
• 36.23% of buyers changed to Simmental from a different breed of bull in previous five years A fantastic ninety four percent of Simmental bull buyers have confirmed that they will purchase further Simmental bulls at future Society sales. That’s the strong endorsement of the Simmental breed following a snapshot survey of bull buyers at Society Sales held between 2017 and 2019.
The survey saw buyers through these years being sent a detailed questionnaire covering the initial reasons for purchasing a Simmental, and thereafter how satisfied they have been with the abilities and the performance of their bulls to date. A broad range of questions invited respondents to score and comment on the performance of bulls bought, including: calving ease; temperament of the bulls and their progeny; fertility and serving capacity; longevity and physical condition of the bull; and performance of progeny, including growth rates and perceived food conversion. Further questions asked buyers about the most important traits when buying a Simmental; the principle purpose of the bull; use on heifers; the importance of herd health information, pre-sale inspections, performance figures, and pre-sale fertility testing.
Unsurprisingly maternal traits featured highly in the characteristics of the Simmental breed most attractive to buyers, including: mothering ability and easy calving; milk; producing replacement heifers; and fast-growing progeny. The top characteristic for buyers was temperament and this was emphasised later in the survey with a total of 97.18% saying that the temperament of their bulls was good (88.73%), or average (8.45%), and with 92.53% saying that the temperament of the progeny was very good or good. Across these two categories less than 5% of purchasers responded that the bulls or their progeny had been below average for temperament.
Just over 70% of buyers indicated that performance figures and EBVs were a ‘quite’ or ‘very’ important aid when purchasing a bull. Of the traits, EBVs for calving ease were ranked the most important and with Maternal (Milk), a close second. The Simmental breed has taken a lead in many aspects of herd health at sales over the years, and the importance of this is shown in the survey with a total of 98.59% of respondents saying that it was ‘very important’ (83.10%), or ‘important’ (15.49%), for them to purchase bulls from herds with a high health status. Over 90% of buyers placed importance on bulls having passed through a pre-sale inspection with 57.34% saying it was ‘very’ important.
Interestingly, and perhaps indicative of some strong Simmental sales, 36.23% of buyers said that they had changed from a different breed of bull in the previous five years, and predominantly from other continental breeds. 53.62% of buyers run over five Simmental bulls with a further 40.58% indicating that they had one to five Simmental bulls. The makeup of buyers’ farms shows that 60% of the bulls have gone to hill farms, and with 40% to lowland. The bulls are used on mainly suckler herds (93.25%), with the dominant breed of suckler cows being Simmental/Simmental X, followed by Limousin/Limousin X; Angus/Angus X; and Luing/Luing X. The largest percentage of buyers run 31 to 100 cows (41.43%); with 37.14% having 101 to 200; and just over 21% having over 200.
The working abilities of the breed are again highlighted with 94.12% of buyers saying that they were happy with the physical and structural condition of the bulls bought, and with over 85% of the bulls still working in purchasers’ herds. In an anticipated strength of the breed, just over 92% of buyers said that they retained heifer calves as herd replacements. 42.86% of buyers said that they used bulls on heifers, and of those, 44.12%, aiming to calve the heifers at 28 months and under.
In another strong endorsement of the performance and commercial attributes of the Simmental breed, a remarkable 89.65% of those surveyed said the progeny of their bulls had been of the standard they expected (81.03%), or better than expected (8.62%), and 10.34% saying that the progeny had been average. No respondents replied that progeny from their bulls had been below expectations.
At the conclusion of the survey buyers were asked for ‘any other comments’, and again these were a combination of extremely positive, constructive, and insightful points. A number of comments remarked on what they saw as the ‘big strides’ in ongoing improvement in the Simmental breed over the last ten years. A further similar sentiment was that if the breed maintains and improves its strengths in milk, easy calving, docility, and good locomotion, ‘Simmental bulls will sell themselves’ in the forward industry. Breeders were given some ‘signals’ for forward sales to not overfeed bulls, and the importance of feet, good legs and mobility. Herd health, the versatility of Simmentals on all breeds, the importance of good growth rates, and food conversion from grass were also noted. Producing ‘bulls that make good cows’ was also a sentiment with a clear overall emphasis on the desire for Simmentals many recognised maternal strengths.
Commenting on the survey BSCS General manager Iain Kerr said: “It’s really important for the Society to engage with Simmental buyers to find out how satisfied they have been with their purchases, and to feedback their thoughts to breeders. The Simmental breed is renowned for breeding quality heifer replacements and for being first class suckler cows with plenty of milk, good fertility, easily calved and crossing to advantage with any other breed. We also see Simmental progeny being easy fleshing, with good growth rates, top weights for age, and being the industry leader for age at slaughter. To have these qualities recognised and endorsed by the breeds buyers, with an approval/repeat customer rate of 94%, is really encouraging. A massive well done is extended to pedigree Simmental breeders for these results and for consistently bringing forward a high standard of bulls. There is an ongoing commitment from the breeders and Society, in the sum of all its parts, to keep working hard to consistently produce the choice and quality of bulls that commercial beef producers and pedigree breeders require.”
The survey results have been released in the run up to the next round of pedigree Simmental Sales with sale fixtures at Stirling on February 20th; Aberdeen on 1st March; Dungannon on 24th March; and Melton Mowbray on 25th March.
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