EASY KEEP, VERSATILE SIMMENTALS LEAVING MORE MONEY FOR CUMBRIAN DAIRY FARM

EASY KEEP, VERSATILE SIMMENTALS LEAVING MORE MONEY FOR CUMBRIAN DAIRY FARM

by | Feb 8, 2023 | 2023 North West News, 2023, 2023 News

By using a Simmental bull on their dairy herd to produce strong, sellable store cattle, the Ladds family at Benson Hall Farm, Kendal, Cumbria have developed a low input, high output system that works well within their busy farming enterprise.
“We have tried a few different beef breeds over the years and thought we’d try something a bit different. We wanted frame and carcase, but also something that would be cheaper to feed and calving ease was a major priority. The Simmental calves hit the ground running and are easier and cheaper to rear than other beef breeds we’ve tried. Costs obviously vary, but we think we’re around £200-£300 per calf better off, with the Simmentals,” says Richard Ladds.


See the full Ladds family feature, just one of a number of commercial and pedigree herd profiles, in this year’s Simmental Review which is out today!

AUCHORACHAN HERCULES TOPS THE SIMMENTAL SIRE RANKINGS FOR THE MOST PEDIGREE PROGENY REGISTERED IN 2022

AUCHORACHAN HERCULES TOPS THE SIMMENTAL SIRE RANKINGS FOR THE MOST PEDIGREE PROGENY REGISTERED IN 2022

by | Feb 8, 2023 | 2023 Scottish News, 2023 North West News, 2023 Midlands News, 2023, 2023 News

With a few ‘new movers’ hitting the rankings, the 2016 born Auchorachan Hercules has moved straight into the number one position of most calves registered to a Simmental sire in 2022, with 71 calves added to the BSCS Herdbook. Auchorachan Hercules was bred by D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballandalloch, Banffshire and was the result of an embryo purchased from the Ranfurly herd of David Hazelton. Sired by the noted 12,000gns Auchorachan ACDC, Hercules is out of the Ranfurly herd’s prolific show cow South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd EX93. Clearly making his mark, Auchorachan Hercules breeder Michael Durno says: “Hercules has bred really well and is passing on all his great attributes to his progeny including length, carcase, style, and character!” Auchorachan Hercules carries a +11 figure for Maternal (Milk) placing him in the top 5% of the breed. In October 2021 Auchorachan Landmark sold at Stirling for 18,000gns, the highest price for a Hercules sired calf, and with Hercules sons at sale averaging £8500 to date. In the summer of 2022, Auchorachan Hercules was sold in a private deal to Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire for their Newbiemains pedigree herd.

Auchorachan Hercules 16


In second place with 53 calves registered to him in the year, and another new entrant to the top 20, is Denizes Hamish from MA Barlow and Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire. January 2016 born Denizes Hamish is by Dinton Nautical and is out of the herd’s much decorated show cow Auroch Eve, a two-time Simmental Champion at the Royal Higland Show. In October 2022, the Hamish son Denizes Monty won the Supreme Championship at the pre-sale show of Simmental bulls before going on to sell for 20,000gns. Hamish’s first 12 sons sold at Stirling have averaged 7,500gns. Commenting, John Barlow says: “Denizes Hamish is breeding progeny with the full package of pedigree and performance figures, the noted Simmental maternal traits, and with shape and muscle. He’s leaving some very modern Simmental calves.” Denizes Hamish is in the breed’s top 1% for Calving Ease Direct, the top 5% for gestation length, and the top 1% for both Eye Muscle Area, and Retail Beef Yield.

Denizes Hamish 16


Other noted entrants to the top rankings include Coose Lincoln (42); Curaheen Bandit (41); Annick Klondyke (39); and PHS Polled Worldwide 14 (39). Please see the Top 20 table below.