Feature on James McKane, Spring Farm, Ballymena, and where the performance efficiency of the Simmental breed is the backbone of the farm’s commercial suckler herd. Spring Farm will host a NI Simmental Breeders Club Open Day, in conjunction with the British Simmental Cattle Society, on Saturday 20th May 2023.
James McKane
Fact file
• 100 acres grassland • 55 cow commercial Simmental herd • 6 pedigree Simmental cows • 15 months, 350kg age and weight at first breeding • 24 month age at first calving • 100% herd calving within three months • 100% calves reared • 380kg dwt in 14 months, weight and age of finished bulls, majority grading U bracket, remainder R3
Suckler producers searching for an efficient and profitable cow need look no further than the Simmental, says James McKane who has a lifetime’s experience working with the breed. “Simmentals are future fit; we’ve adopted a relatively low input high output system and they tick all the boxes. They’re fertile, have ample milk, great growth rates from forage-based diets, and equally important, they’re docile.” Add together the herd’s performance efficiency and it has the hallmarks of contributing to reduced emissions.
“We’ve a 55-cow herd of predominantly Simmental genetics run with two Simmental stock bulls, and usually end up averaging 100% calves reared. We’re achieving our target for the entire herd to calve from mid-February within a 12-week block. Cows and calves are turned out as soon as the weather permits, and they look after themselves eating nothing but grass, supplemented with magnesium licks, throughout the season which we like to extend to at least seven months,” explains James who farms at Laymore, near Ballymena in partnership with his wife, Laura and with help from brother, Bill.
Six-week old Simmental calves
“The cows and heifers milk like trains right through to the bitter end without any meal and they keep themselves in body condition score 3 to 4 right round the year. Furthermore, we’ve never fed creep to the calves; it’s another expense, results in poaching and what’s more, we don’t need to, their mothers have plenty of milk.” Following weaning, the herd is housed and thrives on pure silage diets, without any supplementary feed, until turn out.
James explains replacement heifers are sufficiently well grown to serve at 350kgs and calve at two years. “They’re bred to the Angus and we synchronise. Since we strive to be more and more efficient, there’s no way we would think about keeping them on for another year grazing valuable grass.”
The commercial Simmental herd thrives on a forage diet throughout the housing period
While a few of the later born male calves are steered and sold as stores, most are kept entire and are currently finishing within an average 14 months at 380kg and sold deadweight on to a rising late spring market. The majority are grading within the U bracket, the remainder R3. “On housing, these bulls are introduced to a diet of first cut grass silage and meal, and after a settling down period, by the turn of the year we finding they’re averaging 1.7kg DLWG.
“In fact, we’ve just started to weigh the bulls on a monthly basis – it was something the NI Simmental Club has encouraged us to do, and its proved to be an eye opener finding out how they’re really performing. I would never have picked out some of those bulls that are doing up to 2.0kg DLWG.”
James’s Simmental journey began in 1971 when he saw the breed for the first time pictured in Farming Life accompanying an article marking one of the initial Simmental importations to the province made by W David Perry, Killane. “David was a friend of the family, so I asked my Dad if we could visit and ended up bringing home a Simmental heifer; she was my 13th birthday present. She cost £40 which was a lot of money at the time, however she turned out to be an investment for life.”
Since then, James says it’s been a slow road to success. “I’m a first-generation farmer and made sacrifices to save up pocket money sufficient to buy one pedigree heifer from Killane in 1978, before growing the herd to stocking capacity on our 100-acre grassland unit. We’ve now got six pedigree cows registered under the Springfarm prefix and are presently hoping to introduce ET to help expand the herd. It’s a development that’s been inspired by daughter, Megan’s love of the breed and interest in showing at local agricultural shows.
“I’ve also got a contracting business so I’m away from the farm a lot, particularly during spring and summer. Again, that’s where Simmentals score, they’re so quiet and easy to handle, and we’ve always been confident our cattle are safe for our two daughters, Megan and Ruth to work amongst.”
He adds: “For this unit to have a future, then we’ve to keep costs down, be as efficient as possible and only keep low input high performance cattle. Our Simmentals are ticking all the boxes.”
Hiltonstown Indiana exhibited by James McKane & Balmoral Show Simmental Champion
• If you are interested in attending the Simmental Open Day at Spring Farm on Friday 20th May, then you can ‘register your interest’ by clicking: https://britishsimmental.co.uk/open-days-farm-walks/ This would be a huge help in allowing us to anticipate the number of attendees and to organise accordingly.
• Please also keep an eye on the NI Simmental Breeders Club, and British Simmental Cattle Society’s Facebook pages; and also www.britishsimmental.co.uk
The carbon footprint of agriculture in Ireland is under the microscope and whether you agree with it or not, we have fixed targets to achieve in the next seven years.
From a beef production point of view, age of slaughter is the area that is expected to lead to the greatest reduction in emissions. The logic is simple; the longer an animal is alive, the more it eats.
Producing beef at a younger age, significantly reduces not only the carbon footprint of the beef produced, but also the input costs.
The importance of age of slaughter is further highlighted in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) recent announcement that it will soon have its own sub-index, which will feed directly into the existing terminal and replacement indexes.
This represents the first major change in the index calculations in seven years and there is an expected terminal breeding value increase of approximately €1/day lower slaughter age.
SIMMENTAL CATTLE’S RAPID GROWTH RATE
Simmental cattle have always been renowned for their rapid growth rate. This fact is to the fore if you look at recent reports from Tullamore farm.
The 2022-born Simmental heifers on the farm have an average liveweight in February or 435kg – 50kg higher than any other breed. The top was a February-born Simmental heifer which weighed 485kg at just a year old.
The top weight of last year’s bulls was a February-born Simmental weighing 580kg at a year old, which translates to an average daily gain of 1.52kg/day since birth. All this growth rate was achieved before the bulls even started their intensive finishing stage.
The kill data for the 2021 bulls was presented at the Tullamore Farm open day earlier this year, where the Simmental bulls produced the same carcass weight as the other main continental breeds 10 days earlier and with a higher fat score.
This level of performance is in line with previous results from ICBF’s Tully test centre. In one trial, eight Simmental bulls were slaughtered at 13 months with an average carcass weight of 374kg and a feed efficiency 6.2kg.
The top performer had a carcass weight of 404kg at 13 months with a feed efficiency of 5.98kg.
One of the biggest challenges of slaughtering bulls this young, is to achieve an adequate fat score, however the Simmental bulls averaged 3- for fat.
Another example is that in seven year of Tully trials, the average age of slaughter for Simmental steers was between 50 and 80 days younger that the other main continental breeds.
Weight for age has always been the motto of the Simmental breed. Our years of dedication to maximising growth potential, particularly pre-weaning has given the breed a head-start in what is probably the single biggest challenge facing the future of our sector.
AGE OF SLAUGHTER AND CARBON RELATIONSHIP
As a sector we have been set a target of reducing the age of slaughter to under 24 months, and top-performing Simmental bulls are taking a further 10 months off that.
It’s not just 10 months less emissions, it’s 10 months less feeding too.
In summary, the key message is having a breed type that can be slaughtered at a young age with the necessary fat cover, will result in much less input costs, deliver greater returns and help in the carbon challenge.
NOTE: Thank you to the AgriIand Team, and also the Irish Simmental Cattle Society for the use of this article
Drumlone Malcom Supreme Champion Simmental & Top Price – 4,000gns
Seven bulls sold average £3,075.
Averages up by £30 on the year for one more bull sold
The November 2021 born Drumlone Malcom from Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw, sold for 4,000gns to top the sale of Simmental bulls held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 24th March 2023.
A heifer’s calf got by AI, Drumlone Malcom is by Curaheen Wakeman, a Carnkern Titan son, and is out of the Cleenagh Flasher daughter Drumlone Kirsty. Earlier in the day this bull had won his class before lifting the Overall Championship in front of the judge for the day Andrew Patterson of the Wilandale pedigree Simmental herd, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, who said his choice of champion “He was a very good bull which would stand up anywhere, a bull with great shape and a nice size”. Come sale time Drumlone Malcom was bought by the commercial breeder William Hall, Netwonabbey, Co Antrim.
Seven of the eight bulls forward sold to average £3,075, up on the year by £30 and for one more bull sold. All of the bulls were purchased by commercial producers and first time Simmental buyers at sale.
Two bulls made 3,100gns. The first of these was the first lot in the ring Dressogue Maurice from Seamus Okane, Drumquin, Omagh. This July 2021-born bull is by the 11,000gns sire Islavale Invincible and is out of Dressogue Clover, a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter. With good calving and milk figures, Maurice who had stood second in the first class, was bought by Trevor Stockdale, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone.
Knockreagh Magic – 3100gns
Also at the 3,100gns mark was Knockreagh Magic from Val and Conrad Fagan, Rostrevor, Newry. Magic is the maternal brother to the 10,000gns Kilreagh Kilroy. September 2021 born this calf is by the AI sire Mullynock Gallant and is out of Omorga Dorcas, a daughter of Corrick Kentucky Kid. Purchasing this bull, the first prize winner in the first class, was Samuel Moorhead, Rathfriland, Co Down.
Not far behind at 2,800gns was the October 2022-born bull Gortdonaghy Norman. Presented for sale by Mark Cutler, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, he was purchased by Geoffrey Armstrong, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh. Sired by the Irish National Senior Male Champion Anatrim Bodybuilder, he is bred out of Kickhams Ginger.
• 97 bulls average a new February record of £7,260, up £425 on the year • Clearance rate of 88% with eight more bulls sold on the year • 28,000gns bull sets a new Northern Ireland Simmental record • Two bulls break the 20,000gns mark with twenty bulls in all at 9,000gns and over • Bulls sell to all four home nations, and with nine heading to Orkney
There was a snap, crackle, and record-breaking pop to the Simmental Bull Sale at United Auctions, Stirling, on Monday 21st February, with some fierce bidding from start to finish generating a new breed record average at this fixture of £7,260, up by £425 on the year and for 97 bulls sold, up by eight on the year. With commercial breeders again going head-to-head with pedigree breeders for the quality bulls on offer, the sale continued the surge in demand for Simmentals with this being the fourth Stirling fixture, and fifth Society Sale, in a row where a new record mark has been set.
Leading the sale at 28,000gns, and setting a new record top price for a Simmental bull from Northern Ireland, was the stylish Bannhill Farm Masterpiece from Alan Wilson, Rathfriland, Co Down. In the pre-sale show, in front of the judge Colin Fordyce who runs the Blair herd at Islabank Farm, Meigle, Blairgowrie, and is also herd manager at Strathisla Farms, this June born bull won the Intermediate section before going on to lift the Overall Supreme title. Commenting on his champion, Colin Fordyce said: “This is a typical and modern Simmental bull with a lot of class. He had tremendous length with plenty of shape but is not extreme. Really good across the plates, he had good legs, walked well, and really showed himself. A quality bull and a worthy champion from within a strong show of Simmentals.”
Come sale time, there was a tingle in the air as Bannhill Farm Masterpiece raced through the gears before reaching 28,000gns and being knocked down to Noel Kilpatrick who runs the Ballymoney pedigree herd at Banbridge, Co Down. Of his purchase a delighted Mr Kilpatrick said: “This is the best Simmental bull that I have seen since I purchased Saltire Impressive back in 2018. I couldn’t find a fault on him. He is a great walker with a good back end, plenty of length and a lovely head, just very pleasing on the eye. People might ask, why is a man with 26 breeding females spending this kind of money on a bull, and I say that it’s because I want the best quality bull to enhance my herd! The aim from here is that Masterpiece will go straight to stud, while I wait to bring him home. The bull has been purchased in partnership with Bartley Finnegan of Elite Pedigree Genetics and we will be making his semen available throughout the UK as soon as possible. A further aim is to produce sexed semen to target the dairy industry which is important in the trade in Northern Ireland.”
Bannhill Farm Masterpiece is sired by the 12,000gns AI bull Kilbride Farm Bantry and is the fifth calf bred out of his dam Ballinalare Farm Evita, a full sister to the noted Ballinalare Farm Galaxy she is by the 21,000gns Auchorachan Wizard. This breeding line has seen success at Stirling previously with Mr Wilson selling Masterpiece’s full brother Ballinalare Farm Legacy at the corresponding sale last year for 10,000gns.
It was a terrific day for Northern Irish breeders with the top two prices both coming from the province and further five figure bulls from NI herds selling throughout the sale. Selling at 20,000gns was the much admired Reserve Junior Champion Hiltonstown Matrix from Richard and Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone, County Antrim. September 2021 born, this calf is by the noted sire Saltire Impressive and is out of the Kilbride Farm Warren daughter Hiltonstown India Rose GP 83. Full of style and breeding, Hiltonstown Matrix also had good performance figures, being in the top 5% of the breed for 400 and 600 day growth, and having a +7 figure for Maternal (Milk). Purchasing this bull was Ross King for the family’s noted Wolfstar pedigree herd at Ormiston, East Lothian, who themselves had enjoyed a hugely successful sale when selling four quality bulls to gross over £43,000. Wolfstar run 180 cows, 60 of which make up the pedigree herd, and the 20,000gns price is the highest they have paid for a Simmental bull to date. Commenting, Ross King said: “We’ve been looking for a bull for a wee while and are delighted to get Hiltonstown Matrix. He’s a young bull with plenty of length, tremendous fleshing qualities, and just full of flash and style. His pedigree adds new lines to our herd, he carries very balanced performance figures, and we think he’ll complement our type of cows. It’s a significant price but a bull of this quality is an investment in the future of the herd and to take that next step forward.”
Speaking after the sale Rhys Rodgers said “I am extremely pleased with the sale, with both of my bulls making top prices. The 20,000gns is a record price for the Hiltonstown herd and eclipsing the 17,000gns for Hiltonstown Dominic, who was sold in October 2013. Matrix oozed style from day one and we’ve long thought he had that x-factor, so it’s great to realise such a trade at the sale and for him to go to a top herd. We look to breed red muscular bulls with power and length, and both Matrix and our other bull Magnificent we think typify these attributes”. Later in the day the July 2021 born calf Hiltonstown Magnificent, a Dermotstown Delboy son, made 9,000gns when selling to A Bell & Co, Towie Farm, Fraserburgh.
Hiltonstown Magnificent – 9,000gns
Over the course of the two days there had been a tangible buzz around the Simmental lines with a tremendous crowd at the pre-sale show and a packed ring come sale time. The sale itself reflected this with a fierce trade from start to finish realising a new record average for this February fixture and a high clearance rate of 88%. Speaking after the sale Iain Kerr the general manager of the British Simmental Cattle Society said: “It’s been a tremendous sale and well done to the breeders for bringing forward a great show of bulls full of choice and quality for commercial producers, and with breeders’ bulls as well. Bulls with length and width, good tops, square over the plates with a depth of muscle down the thigh, and with good locomotion, were readily sought and easily sold.”
“There’s a bounce in demand for the Simmental breed driven by commercial producers. We were delighted with positive feedback and approval from buyers in the Society’s recent breed survey, and this is also being backed up the strong run of bull and female sales that we’ve seen. The milk and maternal qualities of the breed are well established and add to the Simmentals ability to produce fast growing calves with tremendous weaning weights, and with superior age to slaughter. It’s a low input, high output breed and that efficiency and performance is giving value and profit to producers.”
The sale saw twenty bulls in all sell over the 9,000gns mark and with bulls finding their way to buyers from all four home countries. Orkney has been a strong market for Simmental bulls and featured again with nine heading to the island.
Junior Champion Islavale Mufasa – 16,000gns
Selling at 16,000gns was the Junior Champion in the shape of Islavale Mufasa from the Stronach family, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. This October 2021 born bull is from a strong breeding line with both parents being classified as EX93. Mufasa is sired by the successful herd sire Corskie Highlander EX 93, who has bred other sons to 18,000gns. Mufasa’s dam is Islavale Amanda 2 EX 93 (EX2), who goes back to the Irish-born Clonagh A Super Star. Performance supplementing pedigree, Islavale Musafa is in the breed top ten percent for growth, milk, and self-replacing index. Snapping up this bull was Barker and Borlase, Sacombe Hill Farm, Watton At Stone, Hertfordshire, who run the long established Sacombe and Perrywood herds. Commenting after the sale Bridget Borlase said: “We thought that Islavale Mufasa was a very complete and tidy bull, with nice clean lines and great length. He has breeding in his back pedigree that we are keen to introduce and reintroduce into the herd and as both his sire and dam are EX93, which underpins his structural soundness. He will take over as our sole herd sire and will start work in April, running with around 30 females”. The Islavale team carried on their prolific sale form with ten bulls on the day averaging an excellent £7,245.
Backmuir Moonshine – 15,000gns
The senior section got the sale off to a strong start and featuring within this was the winner of class two Backmuir Moonshine from Reece and Andrew Simmers, Keith, Banffshire, who made 15,000gns when selling him to CR Fovargue Bros, Coleorton, Leicestershire. The Fovargues had done their homework pre-sale and followed the bull on the Society’s show coverage before purchasing him over the phone. April 2021 born, Backmuir Moonshine is by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo, himself a past Stirling champion, and is out of Starline Orlane 35th, a Skerrington Warlord daughter. Backmuir Moonshine’s Terminal Production Index and Self Replacing Index figures of +102 and +109 respectively place him in the top 10% of the breed. A few lots later the Simmers sold Backmuir Mario, another Wolfstar Jackaroo son, for 8,000gns to GW Woolhouse & Sons, Church Farm, Rotherham.
Reserve Supreme Champion Blackford Mars – 14,000gns
The Blackford herd of Mr WG MacPherson, Croy, Inverness-shire, had a strong pen of bulls forward and realised a terrific trade with sales at 14,000gns, 12,000gns and 9,000gns. Leading the trade at 14,000gns was the Reserve Supreme Champion, and Senior Champion Blackford Mars. This May 2021 born bull is by the multiple show champion Heathbrow Important (P) EX 93 and is the third calf to be bred out of Blackford Honey EX 91 dam, who herself goes back to the 16,000gns Hockenhull Waterloo. Commenting on his Reserve Supreme Champion, the judge Colin Fordyce said: “This is just another tremendous Simmental bull. He had a really flashy head that caught the eye and was full of style and presence. Square across the plates he was very correct with good legs and locomotion.” Blackford Mars was purchased by WJ and J Green, Garmouth, Moray-Shire, for their noted Corskie pedigree herd.
Also selling for 14,000gns was the winner of class seven and the Reserve Intermediate Champion in the shape of Kilbride Farm Morikawa (P) from the long established and noted Kilbride Farm herd of WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, County Antrim. July 2021 born, this 19-month-old heterozygous polled calf is by the 16,000gns Islavale Harvest. A heifer’s calf he is bred out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 270 J (PP), who goes back to the 15,000 Euro Curaheen Gunshot (P). This bull was jointly purchased by David and Lesley Sapsed, of the noted Heathbrow pedigree Simmental herd, Codicote, Hertfordshire, and along with Tom Hill, of the Scotland Hill pedigree Simmental herd, Wadworth, Doncaster. The Heathbrow herd will be full dispersing at the Society’s October Sale in Stirling this year and speaking of his purchase David Sapsed said it was made with the sale in mind: “We have been very successful with our home bred herd sire Heathbrow Grandslam. The aim is to change the breeding up a bit and with a view to the sale purchasers of our females will get something different. We have been going down the polled route and with Morikawa’s good homozygous polled mother, and his excellent back pedigree he fitted the bill. He will be with me until the start of the summer and then he will be traveling up to Wadworth to join Tom.” Speaking to Tom Hill after the sale he added: “It was great to go in partnership on this bull with David as Morikawa will come to me in June just when I need him. After initially spotting him in the pen, I was attracted by his figures and conformation. His self-replacing and terminal production index figures place him in the top 10% of the breed which will help me to keep improving my herd of 65 breeding cows, I was looking for a good all round bull that ticked every box. I also liked his back pedigree, his sire in particular, who I bid on when he went through the ring in 2018! We are hoping for around 45 calves or around in his first year so that I have plenty to offer bull buyers at home and in bringing bulls to Stirling.”
Kilbride Farm Merlin – 13,000gns
A further bull from the Robson family, Kilbride Farm Merlin, made 13,000gns when selling to the Overhill House herd of Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. A second prize winner in the second class of the day, this April 2021 born bull is fully homebred being by Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P) and out of the second calver Kilbride Farm Eunice 249I (TF), a Kilbride Farm Warren daughter. Kilbride Farm Jetstream is a breed trait leader for both calving ease and growth rate. Of his new purchase Richard McCulloch said: “Merlin had good length, head, colour and figures – and particularly calving ease. I am trying to change my Autumn calving pattern, and the aim for Merlin is that he’ll be put to work in March”. The Kilbride Farm herd had a total clearance of their four bulls and grossed £37,800.
Corskie Match – 13,000gns
Topping a good line-up of bulls from the Corskie herd of W J & J Green, Garmouth, Moray, was the 13,000gns paid for the upstanding March 2021 born Corskie Match. This first prize winner in the first class is by the herd’s prolific stock bull Drumagarner Hughes EX 92, and is out of the second calver Corskie Intune VG 86, a daughter of the 22,000gns Dirnanean Bradley EX 93. Another bull with good figures, Corskie Match is in the top 10% Self Replacing Index. Heading to the borders this bull was bought by AC Burke, T/A Nether Stewarton, Eddleston, Peebles, who speaking after the sale said: “I have been using Simmentals on my commercial herd for around 12 years now. With 30 Luings and five Simmental cows, I’m looking to use him on both and with an aim to build up my Simmental numbers and start a pedigree herd. Corskie Match appealed to me as he is a deep well-set bull with a really good red colour, and I look for bulls with good calving ease, milk and 200 day weight.” The Corskie herd sold further bulls on the day at 7,000gns, 6,000gns, and 4,500gns.
Denizes Magic – 12,000gns
Continuing a good run of bulls and prices at Stirling, the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes Walton, Lancashire, made 12,000gns when selling the May 2021 born Denizes Magic. Another bull with tremendous length and muscling, Denizes Magic had stood second in his class to the Reserve Supreme Champion. Full of breeding he is another by the prolific Denizes Hamish and is out of Annick Trixibelle, a Skerrington Visa daughter. Full of breeding and figures, Magic featured excellent calving and Maternal (Milk) figures and is from the same family line as the 20,000gns Denizes Monty. This bull was purchased by RI and GI Davies, Llangammarch Wells, Powys and who run a 250 cow Simmental based commercial suckler herd.
Blackford Mosby – 12,000gns
The second five figure bull from the Blackford herd of Mr W G Macpherson, Croy, Inverness-Shire, came in the shape of the 12,000gns Blackford Mosby who stood second in his class to the Reserve Intermediate Champion. August 2021 born, this bull is a son of Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX 94, and is a heifer’s calf bred out of Blackford Kellie, a daughter of the noted Blackford Galaxy. Another bull heading to the shires in England, Blackford Mosby was purchased by Sam Driver, Chisworth, Derbyshire, for his Sandylane pedigree Simmental herd. Of his purchase Mr Driver said: “This bull stood out to me as soon as I saw him in the show. He walked well and had good figures particularly ease of calving and growth. I didn’t intend to buy one of the top priced bulls, but the bull was full of quality and it was a strong trade! I am trying to create a consistent herd of Simmental cattle and feel that Mosby will help me to achieve this.”
Wolfstar Mustang – 11,000gnsWolfstar Moves Like Jagger – 11,000gns
A super line up from the 60-cow pedigree Wolfstar herd of Mr A King, Ormiston, East Lothian, saw them attain prices of 11,000gns twice, 10,000gns, and 9,000gns. Consistently bringing top bulls to Stirling, the aim of the herd is to breed first quality bulls for the commercial producer with any bulls going to pedigree herds being a bonus on top. The first of the Wolfstar bulls at 11,000gns was the first prize winner in class three Wolfstar Mustang. May 2021 born, this calf is by Islavale Guy and is out of Wolfstar Hot Fuss, a full sister to Wolfstar Gold Digger who bred well in the Annick herd. Wolfstar Mustang was one of nine bulls on the day who went to Orkney, when purchased by regular buyer GT and S Coghill, Birsay, Orkney. Also at 11,000gns was the third prize Wolfstar Moves Like Jagger. Also May 2021 born this bull is fully homebred being by Wolfstar Ivan (TF), and out of Wolfstar Izzy, a Popes Barclay daughter. Staying close to home this bull was bought by Garvald Mains Farm, Haddington, East Lothian.
Continuing the Wolfstar run at 10,000gns was Wolfstar Meatball. April 2021-born, Meatball is another by Islavale Guy and is out of the Team Celtic daughter, Wolfstar Flame. Another bull with length and a good top he was purchased by Philiphaugh Estates, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk, who said: “We have been looking at Wolfstar bulls for a long time and were thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase Wolfstar Meatball. He is a big, long, dark coloured bull with good EBV’s, and we think he will fit in nicely for our Simmental/Luing cross herd. We sell the heifers we produce as replacements with a High Health status, while our bulls are finished at 14 months”. Completing a fine day for the Kings, Wolfstar Mufasa made 9,000gns when selling to Luing breeders John Lawrie, Tillyrie Ltd, Milnathort, Kinross. May 2021 born, Mufasa is another by Islavale Guy and is out of Wolfstar Flora, a Team Celtic daughter.
Garmouth Matt – 10,000gns
Sitting alongside the Corskie bulls was Garmouth Matt from Laura Green, Garmouth, Moray. This September 2021 born calf won Class Nine in the junior section before going on to sell for an excellent 10,000gns. This 17-month-old bull is the first son to be sold off the privately purchased Rathnashan Leonardo who stood National Junior Bull Champion at Strokestown 2019. He is out of the second calver Garmouth Glory’s Jessica, a daughter of the noted Bel Dhu Capercaillie. Purchasing this bull was A Strachan, Brechin, Angus.
Cwarre Mercury – 9,500gns
All the way from Wales was Richard Cumming, Blaencwarre, Hermon, Cynwyl Elfed with his August 2021 born calf Cwarre Mercury. Having stood third in class, this long dark red bull with good figures, made the long trip very worthwhile when selling for 9,500gns CMR Soutar, Arbroath, Angus. Mercury is by Islavale Herriot (TF), and is out of Cwarre Cinderella’s Gem, a Woodhall Extra Special daughter. Commenting Mr Soutar said: “The breeding and background of this bull was the first thing that attracted us to Cwarre Mercury. The genetics, especially on the dam’s side, with Woodhall Extra Special as the grandam, are really appealing. I was looking for an easy calving bull and the figures were all pointing in the right direction. He has a good head, and his dark, red colour will mean that he fits right in with the herd of 35 cows. The darker cows are always sought after in this area”.
Blackford Merlin (ET) – 9,000gns
Mr W G Macpherson, Croy, Inverness-Shire, completed their fine day with the sale of the well-bred Blackford Merlin (ET) for 9,000gns. This May 2021 born bull stood second in his class to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. Entirely homebred he is sired by the Royal Highland Show Champion Blackford Galaxy, and is out of Blackford Wagtail VG 86, the dam of the breed record breaking Bel Dhu Capercaillie. This bull was purchased by R & E Chapman, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and his new owner Ian Chapman said: “We really liked the shape of this bull and his breeding. His main purpose will be to breed replacements for our 250 cow suckler herd. He looks to be easy calving and we feel hewill produce nice milky replacements. We have been using Simmental bulls since we started with cows 30 years ago, due to them being such good mothers and having plenty of milk, and our sucklers are mainly Simmentals which produce the calves which we take through to finishing.”
Coltfield Maestro – 9,000gns
Winning the red ticket in Class Ten, and making 9,000gns at the sale, was Coltfield Maestro from JC MacIver, Forres, Moray. This September 2021-born calf is by the 14,000gns Rockytop Invader whose sons have sold to 11,000gns. Coltlfield Gemma EX90 is out of the herd’s oldest cows and is still breeding well at over 10 years old. Coltfield Maestro was bought by Ward Farms (Scotland) Ltd, Carnwath, Lanarkshire, with Gareth Ward commenting: “We purchased Maestro for use within our 350 cows in total of which 60 plus are pedigree and comprise the Westridge herd. We liked his back pedigree and the fact that both of his parents are classified. Figures are important to us, particularly calving daughters and milk”.
Ranfurly Macgregor – 9,000gns
The strength of the sale continued right to the end and with Ranfurly MacGregor from WD & JD Hazelton, Dungannon, County Tyrone, making 9,000gns when purchased by Craighill Farms, Duntrune, by Dundee. This stylish November 2021 born calf had stood second in the last class to the Junior Champion in the pre-sale show. By Team Celtic he is out of the Omorga Murray sired Ranfurly Lady Diana 22nd E10 (TF) EX 90. MacGregor’s full brother Jackall was Junior and Supreme Champion at Stirling in October 2019, when sold to Strathisla Farms for 14,000gns. Full of figures he is in the top 5% for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight and boasted the top milk figure of +15 in the catalogue.
A small show of four females saw a top price of 4,200gns for the April 2021 born heifer Kinclaven Malteser from Mr AG Borthwick, Stanley, Perth. Sired by Ranfurly Jackall J9 18 EX93, and out of Strathisla Bubble’s Geraldine, this heifer was bought by G Burns, Tippetcraig Farm, Bonnybridge.
OTHER LEADING PRICES 8,500gns – Lot 61 Ballinalare Farm Mack sold to MBM Farms Ltd 8,000gns – Lot 20 Backmuir Mario sold to GW Woolhouse & Sons Ltd 8,000gns – Lot 63 Newbiemains Mayhem sold to FMJ Forster 8,000gns – Lot 125 Islavale Monarch sold to JH Logan & Co 7,800gns – Lot 10 Dunmore Mearns sold to BCF Lambie Partnership 7,500gns – Lot 7 Auchorachan Malt sold to Dalchirla Farms Limited 7,500gns – Lot 9 Caithness Maverick sold to Hugh S Reid 7,500gns – Lot 16 Springfield Major sold to Parkmount Estate Co 7,500gns – Lot 50 Pistyll Major sold to GT & S Coghill 7,500gns – Lot 127 Islavale Mario sold to DG & J Walker 7,000gns – Lot 48 Drumsleed Monty sold to WJ Marshall 7,000gns – Lot 62 Finlarg Magnum sold to Hamilton Organic Ltd 7,000gns – Lot 80 Corskie Mago sold to WSL Muir 7,000gns – Lot 98 Kersknowe Moses sold to W & I Gunn
SHOW RESULTS Sunday 19th February 2023 Judge: Mr Colin Fordyce, Islabank Farm, Blairgowrie
Class 1 – Bulls born on or between 7 March & 1 April 2021 1st: Lot 6 – Mr W J & J Green – Corskie Match – s. Drumagarner Hughes EX 92 2nd: Lot 11 – Mr W S Stronach – Islavale Marley – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX 94 3rd: Lot 5 – D & R Durno & Sons – Auchorachan Magic – s. Auchorachan Hercules EX 92 4th: Lot 7 – D & R Durno & Sons – Auchorachan Malt – s. Auchorachan Hercules EX 92
Class 2 – Bulls born on or between 2 & 20 April 2021 1st: Lot 13 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Moonshine – s. Wolfstar Jackaroo 2nd: Lot 24 – W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Merlin – s. Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P) 3rd: Lot 23 – Mr & Mrs A S & Y A Leedham – Grangewood Magic – s. Ranfurly Impeccable 4th: Lot 25 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Macduff – s. Rockytop Jackpot
Class 3 – Bulls born on or between 21 April & 5 May 2021 1st: Lot 36 – Mr A King – Wolfstar Mustang – s. Islavale Guy 2nd: Lot 29 – Mr D Lowry – Keeldrum Midas – s. Keeldrum Gambler 3rd: Lot 30 – Richard McCulloch – Overhill House Minty – s. Aultmore Goliath 4th: Lot 35 – Mr & Mrs M Ward & Sons – Westridge Max – s. Woodhall Freeman
Class 4 – Bulls born on or between 6 & 21 May 2021 1st: Lot 39 – Mr W G MacPherson – Blackford Mars – s. Heathbrow Important (P) EX 93 2nd: Lot 45 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Magic – s. Denizes Hamish 3rd: Lot 41 – Mr A King – Wolfstar Moves Like Jagger – s. Wolfstar Ivan (TF) 4th: Lot 44 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Milan – s. Rockytop I’m Yer Man
Class 5 – Bulls born on or between 22 May & 5 June 2021 1st: Lot 60 – Alan Wilson – Bannhill Farm Masterpiece – s. Kilbride Farm Bantry 2nd: Lot 56 – Mr W G MacPherson – Blackford Merlin – s. Blackford Galaxy 3rd: Lot 55 – Richard McCulloch – Overhill House Marlon – s. Aultmore Goliath 4th: Lot 49 – Mr A King – Wolfstar Mufasa – s. Islavale Guy
Class 6 – Bulls born on or between 6 June & 18 July 2021 1st: Lot 70 – Richard & Rhys Rodgers – Hiltonstown Magnificent – s. Dermotstown Delboy EX 92 2nd: Lot 61 – Mr J & Mr A Wilson – Farm Mack – s. Rabawn Ernie 3rd: Lot 68 – Harry David Houldey – Manor Fields Mac – s. Ranfurly Highflier H16 4th: Lot 63 – Jim & Patricia Goldie – Newbiemains Mayhem – s. Annick Klondyke EX 92
Class 7 – Bulls born on or between 19 July & 26 August 2021 1st: Lot 73 – W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Morikawa – s. Islavale Harvest 2nd: Lot 82 – Mr W G MacPherson – Blackford Mosby – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX 94 3rd: Lot 76 – D & R Durno & Sons – Auchorachan Magnum – s. Curaheen Giant 4th: Lot 83 – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Murphy – s. Aultmore Jasper
Class 8 – Bulls born on or between 27 August & 5 September 2021 1st: Lot 96 – Richard & Rhys Rodgers – Hiltonstown Matrix – s. Saltire Impressive 2nd: Lot 94 – Mr W D & J D Hazelton – Ranfurly Masterpiece – s. Team Celtic 3rd: Lot 86 – Richard James Cumming – Cwarre Mercury – s. Islavale Herriot 4th: Lot 89 – D & R Durno & Sons – Auchorachan Max – s. Greencap Kane EX 91
Class 9 – Bulls born on or between 5 & 20 September 2021 1st: Lot 99 – Laura Green – Garmouth Matt – s. Rathnashan Leonardo 2nd: Lot 100 – Mr & Mrs A S & Y A Leedham – Grangewood Maverick – s. Ranfurly Impeccable I4 17 3rd: Lot 98 – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Moses – s. Aultmore Jasper 4th: Lot 101 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Mozart – s. Kilbride Farm Fearless
Class 10 – Bulls born on or between 21 September & 20 October 2021 1st: Lot 112 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Maestro – s. Rockytop Invader EX 92 2nd: Lot 114 – Mr W J & J Green – Corskie Mineral – s. Drumagarner Hughes EX 92 3rd: Lot 115 – Mr W J & J Green – Corskie Miner – s. Drumagarner Hughes EX 92 4th: Lot 109 – W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Mustang – s. Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P)
Class 11 – Bulls born on or after 21 October 2021 1st: Lot 124 – Mr W S Stronach – Islavale Mufasa – s. Corskie Highlander EX 93 2nd: Lot 128 – Mr W D & J D Hazelton – Ranfurly MacGregor – s. Team Celtic 3rd: Lot 127 – Mr W S Stronach – Islavale Mario – s. Curaheen Giant 2 4th: Lot 121 – Mr W S Stronach – Islavale Maverick – s. Curaheen Giant 2
Senior Champion Mr W G MacPherson – Blackford Mars – s. Heathbrow Important (P) EX 93 Reserve Senior Champion Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Moonshine – s. Wolfstar Jackaroo
Intermediate Champion Mr W D & J D Hazelton – Ranfurly Masterpiece – s. Team Celtic Reserve Intermediate Champion W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Morikawa – s. Islavale Harvest
Junior Champion Mr W S Stronach – Islavale Mufasa – s. Corskie Highlander EX 93 Reserve Junior Champion Richard & Rhys Rodgers – Hiltonstown Matrix – s. Saltire Impressive
Supreme Champion Mr Alan Wilson – Bannhill Farm Masterpiece – s. Kilbride Farm Bantry 10 Reserve Supreme Champion Mr W G MacPherson – Blackford Mars – s. Heathbrow Important (P) EX 93
• 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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