32,000gns sets new UK breed record for a Simmental female sold at auction
Five lots, including outfits sell for 10,000gns and more
Sale grosses £347,700
Heathbrow Natasha 32,000gns
Simmental achieved a new 32,000gns female breed record in Stirling on Monday 23 October when David and Lesley Sapsed dispersed their entire noted Heathbrow polled herd following a decision to retire after almost three decades of breeding pedigree Simmental.
Star of the sale at 32,000gns was Heathbrow Natasha, an 18-month-old maiden by the herd’s illustrious Heathbrow Important 17, the multi-title winning show bull, herd sire and European Simmental Bull of the Year in 2019, and she was out of Raceview Emerald Alicia600 EX91 by Milnafua Graduate. A striking, fleshy well-balanced heifer exemplary of the breed, Natasha had already been in the limelight during her short-lived show career having secured the Great Yorkshire Junior Interbreed title and Reserve Breed Champion at Edenbridge, together with a fist full of red tickets. She was knocked down sold to Jimmy and Vikki Wood based at Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancashire.
The Wood family from the Popes herd with David, Lesley and Brenda and Heathbrow Natasha
Commenting after the sale Jimmy Wood said: “It was actually our daughter Hannah who bought her and will be starting a herd in her own name with Natasha as her foundation female. We first saw Heathbrow Natasha at Herts County Show when she was just a young heifer and immediately saw her potential. We’ve been ‘up close and personal’ to her ever since having shown at many of the same shows through the summer. She’s just kept coming on and we thought she was outstanding at the Great Yorkshire Show. Natasha has everything we would look for in a female. She’s full of femininity with lots of sparkle and presence and is a totally new bloodline with the best of breeding behind her, a real cow maker for the future. It’s a big price tag but it’s a long-term investment and there’s always going to be competition when that quality of heifer and genetics comes to the market.”
The Wood family took home another four entries. At 9,000gns they secured Heathbrow Melody, an April 2021 born in heifer by Heathbrow Klassik 19, out of Raceview Emerald Alicia and scanned in calf to Blackwood Kirk. Also heading home to join their Popes herd at 7,500gns was the Heathbrow Findlay 14 sired Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy VG88. An in-calf Heathbrow Girlie’s Freesia EX94 daughter she was a successful member of the Sapsed’s show team.
The dispersal’s second top call at 14,000gns went to Heathbrow Milky Way VG85, a January 2021 born heifer by Scotland Hill Cairo 11 EX91 and out of Dirnanean Girlie E31 EX93. She was sold with her three-month-old twin heifer calves at foot, Heathbrow Girlie’s Polly and Heathbrow Girlie’s Poppy, sired by Heathbrow Masterpieve 21. The trio went to breed newcomer, Jimmy Hodge, Fellowhills Farm, Horndean, Berwick upon Tweed.
Heathbrow Milky Way 14,000gns
“Milky Way stood out as one of those animals that you wouldn’t want to change, and she is certainly making a good job of her twin heifers,” said former Holstein breeder, Mr Hodge who currently runs 30 pedigree Herefords. “I was so impressed with the quality of the Heathbrow cattle on offer, I thought I would give them a try and invest.”
Making 13,200gns in total was Heathbrow Kitkat’s Treasure VG87, a rising four-year-old Kilbride Farm Newry daughter and out of Darsham Real Treasure EX91, together with her nine-month-old heifer calf, Heathbrow Paradise Treasure by Blackford Kirk 19 EX91. Kitkat’s Treasure who was scanned in calf to Heathbrow Masterpiece was secured for 9,000gns by J A Griffin, Common Lane, Hemingford, Huntingdon, while her calf attracted a 4,200gns from V M Bailey and Sons, Mixbury Hall Farm, Brackley, Northants.
The same buyers went to 7,600gns for their own pair. Heathbrow Girlie’s Lorna VG87, a February 2021 born heifer by Heathbrow Grand Slam 15 and sold in-calf to Kilbride Farm Morikawa was knocked down for 3,800gns, while the Baileys made an identical 3,800gns bid for her 10-month-pld bull, Heathbrow Napolean 22 by Blackford Kirk 19 EX91.
Heathbrow Girlie’s Lorna 3,800gns & Napoleon 3,800gns
Two entries shared a 10,000gns bid. First to go was Heathbrow Sarah’s Elegance EX94, a Celtic Comet daughter and out of Dirnanean Sarah. This 10-year-old was sold with her July-born bull calf, Heathbrow Polo, by Heathbrow Grand Slam to Mr R J Grenham of Boars Head Farm, Crowborough, East Sussex.
The second 10,000gns call was made by George Scrivens and Holly Grant, Highfield, Shrewley, Warwickshire for Heathbrow Magical Star sold in-calf to Blackford Kirk. A January 2021 born Heathbrow Important 17 daughter, she was out of Heathbrow Ice Star. George commented: “We’d visited the Sapseds four or five times over the last 12 months and rather than coming away with five or six average animals we really wanted a couple of the very best. Magical Star was top of our shopping list. She meant more to us than any other animal in the sale and we’re thrilled to come away with her.”
Heathbrow Magical Star 10,000gns
The couple’s quest to invest in a heifer calf to show next year was achieved when they paid 5,200gns Heathbrow Precious, a six-month-old by Heathbrow Important 17 daughter with her dam, the rising ten-year-old Heathbrow Fancy EX92 who goes back to Dirnanean and Swallowhill lines.
A cow and calf pair attracted the next highest total at 9,700gns. The EX90 classified nine-year-old Heathbrow Fizzy by Dirnanean Welcome and scanned in calf made 3,200gns to Ward Farming, West Mains Farm, Carnwath, Lanarkshire. A 6,500gns bid secured Fizzzy’s eight-month-old bull calf Heathbrow Phoenix 23, by Heathbrow Important 17 for Robert Blyth and Son, Harestonhill Farm, Wishaw, Lanarkshire.
Heathbrow Fizzy 3,200gns
Minutes later, the next heifer and calf unit was sold for a total of 8,400gns. The three-year-old Heathbrow Luxury VG86, by Cairo made 4,200gns to John Tuohy, Coose Farm, Whitegate, Co Galway, while the same 4,200gns price tag went to her 10-month-old bull calf Heathbrow Nautical 22, by Blackford Kirk. The buyer was Speirs Farms Ltd, Pepsal End, Pepperstock, Luton.
Totalling 7,800gns was Heathbrow Kimberley VG88, an April 2019 born Heathbrow Grand Slam daughter sold in calf to Morikawa and her nine-month-old bull Heathbrow Paddy 23 by Heathbrow Important. Kimberley made 3,800gns to Nether Balfour Farms Park, Balvenie House, Drumolk, Banchory while Paddy attracted a 4,000gns bid from Wisson and Son Partnership, Southwood Farm, Abbotsley, St Neots.
Heathbrow Kimberley 3,800gns
Heathbrow Heidi VG88 and her eight-month-old twin bulls by Heathbrow Important 17, went for 7,700gns in total. The seven-year-old Heathbrow Freddie Star 14 daughter sold in calf to Morikawa was bid for 2,500gns to Simon Kemp, Kingston, Canterbury. Heathbrow Pele 23 made 2,400gns to J and M Troup, Southbank Farm, Skene, Aberdeenshire, while his twin Heathbrow Pogba 23 sold for 2,800gns to J C McLaren and Partners, Dargill, Crieiff, Perthshire.
Next pair at 7,500gns was the January 2020 born Heathbrow Lavender VG88 (pictured below) together with her eight-month-old bull calf, Heathbrow Principal 23. Another Important daughter, Lavender was sold scanned in calf to Moriawa and made 5,500gns to Inverdunning Ltd, Inverdunning, Dunning, Perthshire ,while K Thain and Son, Shank, Huntly, Aberdeenshire went to 2,000gns for Principal.
Heathbrow Lavender 5,500gns & Principal 2,000gns
David Sapsed commented after the sale: “We’re both really delighted with the trade and it was fantastic to see such widespread demand for the Heathbrow cattle. There were a lot of new entrants and younger breeders buying cattle and we hope their purchases set them off on as enjoyable a pedigree road as we have had. Cattle sold into Scotland, back to England, and with an export trade to both Germany and the Republic of Ireland.
“Very much the icing on the cake was the fantastic sale of Heathbrow Natasha to the Wood family. That’s our first female at auction to sell for over 10,000gns and for her to set a new Simmental female record, well it was an unbelievable finale to our pedigree breeding career. We were so pleased with how the cattle travelled and looked at the sale and huge thanks are extended to Brenda Hide, Rhys Grenham, Richard Rettie and all the team for their hard work. We’ve always tried to breed genuine, long, stylish cattle that have good locomotion, are quiet and a little bit slightly later maturing. Lesley and I would like to thank all of the bidders and buyers on the day and we wish everyone the very best of luck with their new purchases.”
Averages: seven cows and calves £6,555; 25 cows £3,948; 12 bull calves £3,509; eight heifer calves £3,728; 10 in-calf heifers £5,975; 14 maiden heifers £5,955; two bulls £4,883.
• 46,000gns is a new UK breed record for a Simmental bull sold at auction • 53 bulls (+8) average £7594, up by £36 on the year, and a new breed record sale average • Simmental only breed to sell more bulls on the year • 12 bulls sell for 10,000gns and more, as bull sale grosses £422,606
Simmental records were sent tumbling at Stirling as the April 2022 born Overhill House Neo from Over Hill House, Armadale, West Lothian sold for 46,000gns to lead the Simmental Bull Sale at United Auctions, Stirling on Monday 23rd October. The top price set a new breed record for a Simmental sold in the UK, and with Overhill House Neo being purchased by Reece & Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire.
Overhill House Neo 46,000gns
In addition to the new top price mark, fifty-three Simmental bulls sold to average a mighty £7594 which in itself is a new UK breed record sale average and eclipsing the previous figure of £7558 set at the corresponding fixture last year.
Overhill House Neo is one of the first sons to be offered at sale by the herds 26,000gns stock bull Pistyll Kingsman who was purchased at Stirling in February 2021, and is out of the Hillcrest Jerome ET daughter Seepa Daffodil. On the previous day, and by common consent in front of one of the biggest ring side crowds seen at a Simmental pre-sale show, Overhill House Neo had been tapped out as the Overall Supreme Champion by the judge Hazel McNee of the noted Finlarg herd at Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee. Commenting after her day in the middle, Hazel said; “I was really delighted with my Champion, I think he’s a Simmental bull just full of quality and he really stood out for me. He’s easy fleshed, very correct, walks extremely well, and has tremendous length. He’s the dark colour which I like, and had more than a wee bit of that showy presence I was looking for.” Of the show of Simmental bulls generally Hazel went on to say; “It was a tremendous show with a lot of very modern bulls suited to the market and offering choice for both commercial beef producers and pedigree breeders. The depth in the classes certainly made by job a very enjoyable one.”
Overhill House Neo now heads to Keith to join the 80-cow Backmuir herd and speaking after the sale an equally delighted Reece Simmers said: “We’ve been working away over this last year or more quite well with homebred sires and all the time have been keeping an eye out for a bull that has that little bit of ‘extra special’ about him. As such we’re really pleased to have been able to buy Overhill House Neo and just think he’s a great example of a modern Simmental bull. Neo’s full of style and breed character. He’s got size and power, is full of length, and has a quality back end with easy muscling. We like the breeding on the dam line and he’s a total outcross which will bring new breeding lines to the Backmuir herd.”
Of paying the record price for a Simmental bull to date Reece Simmers went on to say: “The Simmental breed is going from strength to strength and we’ve seen the increasingly strong sales over this last couple of years. Overhill House Neo is just full of quality and breeding, and if he brings that through into his progeny then we feel that he’ll be a value investment for the Backmuir herd over a number of years.” In the sale Backmuir enjoyed a good day themselves when selling two bulls at 10,000gns and 7000gns respectively.
It’s been a strong year of performance for the Overhill House herd at shows and sales and speaking after the sale Richard McCulloch said: “Overhill House Neo has been a special calf from day one and has just always had such a presence about him and a tremendous nature. He’s just continued to do well throughout the summer and he’s the best bull we’ve bred to date. You never have the expectation to come to a sale like Stirling, with the standard of bulls that’s always there, and come away with a record price of 46,000gns. It’s tremendous but very humbling at the same time. The whole team at Overhill House is delighted that he’s gone to a top herd like Backmuir, and we wish Reece, Andrew and Philip every success with him.”
Of his general breeding aims Richard went on to say: “We just continue to keep things simple by being selective, culling hard, and maintaining the quality as high as we can. There’s a lot of hard work, time and effort goes into pedigree breeding and my stockman Scott Gilmour, and Brian Wills who helps us, play a big part in that.” In addition to the top price, Overhill House Nestor made 13,000gns on the day and with him also being a Pistyll Kingsman son. Further Overhill House bulls made 12,000gns and 4500gns. It’s been a tremendous year for the Overhill House herd with the now sale record price sitting alongside them having the all-breeds top price at the May Stirling Sale; the leading price at the May Carlisle Sale a week later; and lifting the Male Championship at the Scottish National Show in August at Dumfries!
It was a terrific all-round Simmental sale with the day seeing a new UK record for a Simmental bull; a new record for a Simmental female; a new record sale average for the breed; and with Simmentals being the only breed to sell more bulls on the year! This sale performance was warmly acknowledged by the British Simmental Cattle Society President Norman Robson, who said: “The breeders have put forward some tremendous bulls and with a real choice for commercial producers and pedigree breeders, and some record sale figures have been achieved which I think reflects that. In the forward industry with a pressure on costs, there really is going to be a premium on efficiency and I think that’s recognised by commercial producers and what has driven the Simmental sales in this last couple of years. Prior to this sale we published independent data, provided by AHDB, that showed Simmentals give you more both maternally and terminally. Industry leading at age at slaughter whether sired by a Simmental or out of a Simmental dam, significant reduction in finishing costs, and lower emissions meeting environmental challenges. Add that to the breeds well established maternal qualities of easy and regular calving, milk, fertility, and longevity and it’s just good economics for beef producers.”
Corskie Naqus 14,000gns
In all, twelve bulls on the day made five figures or more and with the second top priced bull being the 14,000gns Corskie Naqus 22 from Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. This March 2022 born bull had stood second in his class to the Reserve Intermediate Champion in the pre-sale show. Sired by Drumagarner Hughes, who has had bulls at sale up to 13,000gns, and out of the Dirnanean Bradley daughter, Corskie Klarasch, this bull with good figures for calving ease and maternal (milk) sold to AH Smith who runs a significant commercial enterprise of 350 Angus and Simmental cows, and also the 15 cow Arkland pedigree herd at Low Arkland Farm, Castle Douglas. Speaking after the sale Alan Smith said: “This Corskie bull just had a lot of style and we liked his back breeding and performance figures. He’ll work in both the pedigree and commercial herd and we hope he will bring his qualities to both.”
Presenting a tremendous pen of bulls and enjoying another fantastic sale was the prolific Islavale herd of WS Stronach & Son, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. Ten bulls sold for a collective £104,685, and to average an incredible £10,469. Six of the bulls made over five figures, and just for good measure the herd picked up the Reserve Overall; Junior Championship; Reserve Intermediate; and had five first places and three seconds in the pre-sale show. Quite a day!
Islavale Nugget 13,000gns
From the Islavale pen, two bulls made 13,000gns. The first of these was Islavale Nugget who had stood third in his class to the Overall Champion. One of the first sons at sale from the herd sire Coose Lincoln EX90, this April born bull is out of the Curhaeen Bandit daughter Islavale Ena EX91. With tremendous figures putting him in the top 1% for both Terminal Sire Index, and Self Replacing Index, Islavale Nugget was purchased by commercial producer and repeat Islavale buyer GM Mitchell & Son, Fernie Mill, Cupar, Fife. At this same 13,000gns price was Islavale Newton who was the first prize bull in class seven. April 2022 born and sired by the noted Ranfurly Confederate, this heifer’s calf is out of Islavale Kathy, a Corskie Highlander daughter. With top 10% figures for Calving Ease, and top 1% for Self Replacing Index, this bull was another to go for commercial use and to the south west of Scotland when selling to W Barbour, Carsegowan Farm, Dumfries.
Islavale Newton 13,000gnsOverhill House Nestor 13,000gns
Also selling at 13,000gns was another from Richard McCulloch in the shape of the previously referred to Overhill Nestor. April 2022 born this bull is another by Pistyll Kingsman, the same sire as the new record holder, and is out of Overhill House Eve, an Annick Capercaillie daughter. Another bull in the teens and going commercially, Overhill House Nestor was purchased by Glass & Smith, Mill of Fowlis, Alford, Aberdeenshire. As a footnote the prices meant that the first two sons of Pistyll Kingsman at sale had averaged just under £31,000!
Islavale Northstar 12,000gns
Back to the Islavale pen and Islavale Northstar made 12,000gns when selling to the Coltfield herd of Cameron Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Forres, Moray. Got by AI this April 2022 born bull, out of the same class as the Overall Champion, is by Curaheen Giant and is out of Islavale Hope EX 91. Commenting Cameron Maciver said: “My son James and myself saw the bull on farm in May and we liked him then and also the Wolfstar Elusive breeding he has on the dam line. He’s a bull we think can add a little mor size into our calves. The plan from here is to put him with around 10 cows towards the end of November.” Also from Islavale and at the same price of 12,000gns was the winner of class five, and the Reserve Intermediate Champion, Islavale Nico. Another of the first sons at sale by Coose Lincoln EX 90, Nico is out of Islavale Fashion EX 92, a Curaheen Bandit daughter who previously bred the 8000gns Islavale Loki the top priced bull at Thainstone last year. Purchasing Islavale Nico was D & G Manson for their 140 cow Simmental based commercial herd at Brodieshill, Alves, Forres. Commenting, Robert Manson said: “We had followed Nico through the summer having had several visits to the Islavale herd. At that time we had seen some Coose Lincoln calves on the ground and were especially impressed by the heifer calves length and shape. We’ll aim to put Nico to four or five cows in six weeks time. He’ll have an easy winter and will hopefully have a bit more to do in the spring. There were a lot of good Simmental bulls on the day that made 10k and more and plenty of choice for the commercial buyers.” Earlier this year, Brodieshill hosted a high-quality commercial Open Day on behalf of the British Simmental Cattle Society.
Islavale Nico 12,000gnsOverhill House Niko 12,000gns
Securing their third five figure price on the day was Overhill House Niko who made 12,000gns when selling to the commercial herd of J Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Arriving with a show record behind him, Overhill House Niko was the Overall Male Champion and Junior Champion at this years high profile Scottish Simmental National Show at Dumfries. At Stirling’s pre-sale show Niko stood second in his class to his stablemate and the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. Entirely homebred, he is by Overhill House Enhance, a Banwy T-Rex son, and is out of Overhill House Keelo. A stylish, dark red bull, Overhill House Niko carried a top 1% figure for Maternal (Milk).
Hemingford Nelson 11,000gns
Up from Cambridgeshire was the lengthy and stylish Hemingford Nelson from James & Rachael Griffin’s fifteen cow herd at Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon, who took first place in class three before securing a fantastic Reserve Senior Championship. This March 2022 born bull is by the herd stock sire Saltire Jaguar, who was purchased for 9000gns at Stirling in February 2020 and is out of Hemingford Jewel, a Corskie Dreamer daughter. Nelson made 11,000gns and will now reacclimatise when moving north to the Auchorachan pedigree herd of D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Speaking after the sale James Griffin said: “We are working away and trying to bring forward good bulls. This is a big step up for us and we are ‘blown away’ to sell a bull to 11,000gns and to such a renowned Scottish herd.”
Islavale Nemo 11,000gns
The run of Islavale bulls continued with the April 2022 born Islavale Nemo selling for 11,000gns to H J Warnock of Ballydoonan Road, Carrowdore, Co Down who runs just under fifty cows in his pedigree Templefyn herd. Another by Coose Lincoln EX 90, Islavale Nemo is out of Islavale Bramble 2 VG 88, a Curaheen Bandit daughter, and sported excellent figures being in the top 1% Self Replacing Index. Commenting John Warnock said: “We purchased Islavale Illusive in February 2019 for 14,000gns and he’s done well for us. I think this is another top bull with length, width and good figures behind him.” Also at 11,000gns was the winner of class nine, the Junior Champion and Overall Reserve Champion in the form of Islavale Neuk. This April 2022 born bull is by the herd’s well-known sire Shacon Hannibal 16 (ET) EX 94, and is out of the eight-year-old Islavale Gretel EX 90.
Islavale Neuk 11,000gnsJudge Hazel McNee
Commenting on her choice of Reserve Champion, the judge Hazel McNee said: “This was just another very good solid Simmental bull who had excellent conformation, was very square from behind, carried a good top line. Purchasing this bull was well-known Orkney bull buyer Liam Muir of Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney. Orkney buyers were again to the fore with eight bulls sold on the day heading to the islands.
Backmuir Nuckles 10,000gns
The final bull to make 10,000gns, and who stood second in the last class to the day’s Reserve Overall Champion, was Backmuir Knuckles from the Simmers family. May 2022 born this bull is by the homebred Backmuir King who stood as Male Champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show. Knuckles is out of Starline Lorette who is a Kilbride Farm Duke daughter. Buying this bull was the well-known and high profile Corskie herd of Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Corskie Nohow 9,500gns
Corskie was again to the fore when selling the day’s Senior Champion and winner of Class One Corskie Nohow (P), a bull with length, power, and who is heterozygous polled, for 9500gns to repeat buyer A Nicolson, Relugas Mains Farm, Dunphail, Moray. January 2022 born this bull is out of Corskie Jubliee VG 87, and is one of the first sons from Rathnashan Kellog’s EX 94 who was purchased as a young calf from Southern Ireland. Kellog’s is the sire of Corskie Miami this year’s Junior Champion at the Royal Highland.
OTHER LEADING PRICES 9,000gns Lot 307 Kilbride Farm Neville PP sold to John M Sutherland, Sibminster & Stainland, Thurso, Caithness 9,000gns Lot 318 Jaw Nato sold to G R Morton, Church Farm, Gamlesby, Penrith 9,000gns Lot 373 Islavale New York sold to A & J Craig, Craigton Castle, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire 8,500gns Lot 349 Islavale Norman sold to Robert Bell & Partners, Craigo, Levenview, Westhall, Kinross 7,500gns Lot 332 Kersknowe Neptune sold to J Gunn, Carsgoe, Halkirk, Caithness 7,000gns Lot 377 Backmuir Nemisis sold to Douganhill Farms, Orchardton Mains, Palnackie, Dumfries
Overhill House Neo with the Backmuir & Overhill House teamsChampion & Reserve Champion presentationSenior Champion presentationJunior Champion presentationIntermediate Champion presentationGroup of three
Following hot on the heels of the Stirling Simmental Bull Sale on Monday October 23rd is the much-anticipated Complete Dispersal Sale of the Heathbrow Polled Simmental Herd of David & Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Codicote, Hitchin, Herts.
The published catalogue is now out and you can view it by clicking here.
A highly noted herd the Heathbrow Polled Simmental Sale will offer some 90 head and including 30+ cows with calves at foot; 10 in-calf heifers; 14 yearling heifers; and 2 bulls.
In the 28 years of the herd, the Heathbrow object in breeding polled Simmentals has remained the same throughout and with David & Lesley choosing Simmentals because of their milking ability and rapid growth. The main principles of cattle breeding for them are a substantial cow with good locomotion and, importantly, temperament as they jointly look after the cattle.
Keep an eye on Facebook for further updates and profiles as the sale now quickly approaches in October.
The sale catalogue for the Stirling October Simmental Bull Sale, due to be held on Monday 23rd October, at United Auctions, Stirling Agriculture Centre.
To see the full catalogue of 112 bulls, click here.
If you would like to drill down further on any of these bulls to view their back pedigrees and performance information then click here.
Strong demand for Simmental breeding females Simm X Heifers & bull calves to £3400 Simm cows & bull calves to £3400 Simm cows & heifer calves to £3300
The trade for commercial Simmental breeding cattle was on fire at United Auctions – Livestock Auctioneers, Stirling on Monday May 1st with quality Simmentals in demand throughout the categories.
Leading the way was Jim & Liz Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire who topped the sale of bulling heifers with three 16 to 18-month-old Simmentals each making a tremendous £3650! Two of the heifers were by Islavale Huntly, and with the third being by Skerrington Gambler. All three heifers were purchased by Alastair Mitchell, Victoria Farm, Muthill, Crieff. Further Merkland Simmental x heifers on the day made £2200, and £2000 on the day when selling to Milton Farmers.
The strong trade for Simmentals continued when Simm X heifers & bull calves from Kirkton made £3400. In the cows & bull calves, Simm X’s from Beannie made £3400, and £3300 respectively. The same vendor led the cow & heifer calf trade with their Simm X’s making £3300, and £3100.
With an increasing cost base, efficiency and all-round added value is key to the forward industry. Quiet, easy calving, easy keep, milky Simmental females, who can wean calves at 50% of their bodyweight at 200 days, are ticking a lot of added value boxes for commercial producers. There’s more to a Simmental!
• 24 bulls sell to average £5828, up by £195, and a new Stirling May Sale record average. • Two bulls sell at over 10,000gns with eleven at 5000gns and more. • 16,000gns leads the all-breeds prices at Stirling • 16,000gns the top Simmental price, and top all-breeds price, at a May Stirling Sale
Following up his Supreme Championship in the pre-sale show, the January 2022 born Overhill House Neil from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian, duly delivered the goods in the sale ring when making 16,000gns to lead the Stirling May Simmental Sale, and to take the top price across the breeds at United Auctions multi breed fixture on Monday May 1st.
Overhill House Neil 16,000gns
This stylish, red coated, young bull is by the 24,000gns Islavale Heston, and is out of Overhill House India, a Curaheen Drifter daughter. In November last year, Overhill House Neill won the Overall Junior Championship at the Stars of the Future Calf Show. With top figures for calving ease and maternal (milk), this package of looks, pedigree, and performance figures saw some sharp bidding before the hammer fell and with Overhill House Neil being knocked down to Andrew Leedham for his Grangewood pedigree herd at Pickering, North Yorkshire.
The strong sale demand for Simmental bulls was again evident with the 24 bulls sold averaging £5828, up by £195 and, for the third year in a row, to a new record average for this May Simmental Sale fixture. As well as topping the sale day, the 16,000gns price was an all-breeds record for the Stirling May Sale
A terrific day’s trading for Overhill House saw the herd attain prices of 16,000gns; 7000gns; and 6500gns for three quality Simmental bulls. Commenting on Overhill House Neil after the sale, a delighted Richard McCulloch said: “Neil is the best bull we’ve bred to date within the Overhill House herd. From day one he was just an outstanding calf that had those ‘look at me qualities’ and just kept going on and improving. For me he’s the overall package in a modern Simmental bull. He’s dark red in colour, has a real Simmental breed head, has four good correct legs, is super clean, and has a back end to die for. He’s been sold into a good pedigree home, and I look forward to seeing how he gets on within the Grangewood herd.” The sale saw the Overhill House herd gross £30,975 for three Islavale Heston sons and with this 24,000gns sire consistently breeding sale bulls at the 7-8000gns mark. Of attaining the record sale price for any breed at the Stirling May Sale, Richard McCulloch went on to say: “The record price is just a bonus on top of what was a great sale for the herd and three good bulls that were brought out so well by my stockman Scott Gilmour. The standard of Simmental bulls forward at the sales just keeps getting better and better and with an obvious and increasing interest in the breed. From here we’re just going to continue to cull hard, be selective and with the aim of keeping the quality as high as we can at pedigree sales.”
Placing Overhill House Neil as the pre-sale Supreme Champion, was the pre-sale show judge for the day, Gary Wright of the noted Lagavaich herd, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch.
The 16,000gns was also the top price that Andrew and Yvonne Leedham, who run the 35 cow Grangewood pedigree herd along with their son Callum, have paid to date for a Simmental bull. Speaking after the sale, Andrew Leedham said: “He’s a terrific Simmental bull and just what we were looking for. We first saw him at the Stars of the Future Show and having been keeping an eye on his pictures and videos on Facebook. In addition to the qualities of the bull he has great figures including ease of calving and we think he’ll be very well suited to our Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 daughters within the herd. From here we will consider taking semen from him and may ease him into the herd to use in this next month or so.”
Delfur Macbeth 10500gns
Taking the second top price of 10,500gns, and again from a strong line up of bulls, was the October 2021 born Delfur Macbeth from Delfur Farms, Aberlour. This calf by Woodhall Instinct, and out of Delfur Annie, carried a Maternal (Milk) figure of +10. Purchaser was the noted commercial producer JR Graham & Partners, Greenshields, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Selling at 9000gns was another from the Delfur team in the shape of the first prize winner in class six and pre-sale Reserve Supreme Champion, Delfur Marvel. October 2021 born, Delfur Macbeth is another by Woodhall Instinct and is out of Delfur Jill, an Islavale Cassius daughter. This bull headed back to Aberdeenshire when being knocked down to high-quality commercial producers Farquharson Farms, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire.
Delfur-Marvel 9000gns
On the day the Delfur herd sold three bulls to gross £25,500 and to average £8925, and with the 10,500gns price being the herd’s highest to date at this May Sale fixture. Under the herd manager Garry Patterson, the Delfur herd has been achieving some leading sale prices for Simmental bulls and with the quality and potential within the herd’s females now coming through. The herd presently comprises of 120 cows but with plans to gradually increase that number. When it comes to the sales Delfur Farms takes direct aim at breeding what the commercial producer is looking for and bulls carrying style, thickness and correctness, and with easy calving lines. Any bulls sold to breeders are a bonus on top!
Copper Mill Maverick 7000gns
Selling at 7000gns was Copper Mill Maverick from P Goldsborough, Oakrigg Farm, Old Carlisle Road, Moffat. Another bull with strong calving ease figures, the August 2021 born Copper Mill Maverick is by Rathnashan Linguine and is out of the Samark Superman daughter, Copper Mill Janice. Buying this bull was J&J Marshall, Grantown on Spey, Morayshire.
Overhill House Nash 7000gns
The second bull at 7000gns was another from Richard McCulloch and this time Overhill House Nash. This January 2022 born bull stood second in his class to the day’s Champion and Overhill House teammate, and in a class that saw Overhill take first, second, and third. Another calf by Islavale Heston, Nash is out of Overhill House Emma, a Blackford Ben Mhor daughter. With figures putting him in the top 5% of the breed for calving ease, and top 10% for Eye Muscle Area, Overhill House Nash was bought by JTM MacKay, Thura Mains, Caithness. Overhill House Noah who stood third in the same class made 6500gns when selling to Cumbria and WA Vaughan, High Dovecote, Walton, Brampton. Making up a strong trio of Overhill House bulls, and with strong performance figures, Noah is again by Islavale Heston and is out of the Annick Talisker daughter Overhill House Hanna.
Selling at 6000gns was another from the Delfur Farms pen and this time the October 2021 born Delfur Matey. This bull stood second in his class to the Reserve Supreme Champion and 9000gns teammate Delfur Marvel. Sired by Banwy Bonzo, Matey is out of another Islavale Cassius daughter, Delfur Kayley. Purchasing what was another dark red bull with easy calving figures, was MJ&J McLaren, Fintalich, Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire.
Getting knocked down at 5800gns was Broombrae Munro from Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife. This October 2021 born bull, who stood fourth in a strong class, is by Corskie Kalgary 19, and is out of Broombrae Delight K1. With a top 5% figure of +11 for Maternal (Milk), this bull was snapped up by Glenkiln Farms, Crocketford, Dumfries.
Other Leading Prices:
Lot 463 5000gns Denizes Montana to A Nicholson, Dunphail, By Forres
Lot 465 5000gns Coltfield Mighty to H MacDonald, Mains of Dalvey, Morayshire
Lot 467 5000gns Dargill Master (P) to J& I Cameron, Hillside Farm, Kilmacolm
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