There’s more to Simmental. Beef producers are keying in on the efficiencies and value that Simmental genetics can deliver. The Simmental’s benchmark is their milk, fertility, calving ease, temperament, and abilities to rear a fast-growing calf without creep feeding. Add in that AHDB data continues to show the breed as the number one continental breed for age at slaughter, and it just collectively highlights that adding Simmental genetics gives you super maternal performance and top-class carcass traits. See here the latest sales and sections topped by Simmental cattle in August:
Aberdeen and Northern Marts on 31st August sold 75 Prime Cattle at Thainstone. Prime bullocks averaged 268.8p and sold to £2119.25 gross for a 865kg Simmental cross from Daies, Wardhouse. On the same day ANM sold 243 cast cows and bulls to average £1489.05 or 200p. Beef Feeding Cows (133) averaged £1376.79 and sold to £1710 for a 708kg Simmental cross from Nessbreck, Harray.
United Auctions, Stirling on 30th August sold 997 store cattle & young bulls. Also 118 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Also sold was 30 rearing cattle. Beef Cows and Bulls (87) – averaged 194.50p to 231.10p per kg for a SIMX from Forestmill.
In a sale of 307 store cattle at Exeter on 30th August, an excellent entry saw a flying trade from start to finish. Several good meat cattle topped at £1340 for a 24mth Simmental steer from Messrs Docton Farm Partnership of Hartland.
In a sale of prime cattle at Frome on 30th August, Simmental cattle featured at the top end of the prices with Simm UTM steers at 264.50ppkg and £1666 from DJ&VM Norman. Simmental UTM heifers from Simmental HJ Marklove, Swindon sold to 256ppkg and £1558.
In a sale of store cattle at Oswestry on 30th August the trade was led at £1680 (280p/kg) paid for a Simmental steer sold by D D & M Williams, Llanyblodwel.
Truro Livestock Market’s sale of store cattle on 30th August saw the trade for year old heifers led by a Simmental x to £845 for Messrs G S & K M Trevail of Bugle, St Austell.
At Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd’s weekly sale at Ayr on 29th August, cast bulls sold to 219.7p for a Simmental from H Gilbert, Whiteridden. Beef Cows sold to £1700 for a Simmental Cross from A Baird, Langholm.
In a sale of store cattle at Melton Mowbray on 29th August, top spot went to a Simmental bull from A Webster selling to £2200. In a sale of prime cattle at H&H’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on 28th August a 703kg Simmental cross from Messrs Stamper, Rose Farm, Cockermouth sold to £2007.07 and purchased by Mr Eric Hall to feature in the top prices. On the same day Messrs Dyet, East Merkland sold the top priced Simmental Bull for £2039 to Pickstock’s.
In a sale of barren cows at Sedgemoor on 28th August, the top price was 199.5ppk for a good, stretchy and fleshed 800kg Simmental cow from NF Newman.
On 28th August, Penrith & District Farmers’ Mart LLP held their fortnightly Sale of 173 Store Cattle & Feeding Bulls. The trade for store bulls was led by a Simmental at £1275 from Bowness Farm.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 26th August there was no let-up in trade. Bulls sold to a high of £3100 for a pedigree Simmental from JH Wood, Dutton.
On 25th August at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 447 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Bullocks (225) averaged 289.5p and sold to £1800 gross for a 646kg Simmental from Rockyden, Meikle Wartle.
In a sale of 392 store cattle and stirks at Exeter on 25th August cattle beginning to come out in bigger numbers now with those choosing to sell taking advantage of the present high prices well rewarded. Store steers rose to £1700 given for an imposing trio of Simmentals (28m) from Fooks Brothers of Bridport whilst younger (20m) Simmentals ran to £1590 for Keith White and Family in from Sandford, also much later born Simmental bullocks (13m) from K and L Slade, Widecombe in the Moor drew £1340 for a pair. A sale of calves on the same day saw a bunch of weaned Simmental bulls from William Hosegood of Zeal Monachorum sell well to a top price of £405 x3 with others to £380 x2. Heifer calves including weaned Simmentals also from William Hosegood led the section at £390.
Hexham and Northern Marts held its weekly sale of 269 catalogued cattle from across the North of England on 25th August. In the cattle 11-16 months, Simmental x steers from Longlea topped this section at £1650, with others from the same home at £1440, £1380 & £1320.
At Lancaster Auction Mart on 25th August, the monthly sale of stirks saw 100 forward. Steers sold to a top price of £940 and including Simmental x from R&J Parkinson, Preesall.
Aberdeen & Northern Marts on 24th August at Thainstone saw a total of 52 Cast Cows, Bulls and Prime Cattle forward from Orkney consignors with leading prices seeing beef cows sold to £2,170 gross for a 984kg Simmental from N M & A Kemp, Moa, Stenness.
On Wednesday 23rd August, Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly sale of bulls and weaned cattle at Carlisle. Simmental topped the bulls at £1310 and from Messrs Goldie, Newbie Mains.
In a sale of 322 calves at Holsworthy on 23rd August, weaned heifer calves were led by Simmentals to £450 for RWH Dilling, Highampton. In a sale of 145 stores on the same day, top price was £1335 for a good long meat non FA Simmental heifer from MR BJ Yelland of Holsworthy, who sold others at £1300 and £1255.
At Market Drayton’s sale of 175 store cattle on 23rd August, the heifer trade was led by a Simmental at £1,580.00 from Edwards Farming Ltd.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 115 Prime and Cast Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 22nd August. Cows topped at £1860 for a Simmental from Rushaw.
In a sale of rearing calves and weanlings at Brockholes Arms Auction Mart on 21st August, Garstang, the trade peaked at £570 for a 3 month old suckler bred Simmental bull calf from Ron Loftus.
On Monday 21st August at Lanark, Lawrie and Symington Ltd had forward 118 cattle comprising of 50 bullocks and heifers, 68 cast cows. Young Bulls per head sold to £1786, and 265ppkg for Sims from East Merkland.
In a sale at Bakewell on 21st August the trade for OTMs was led at £1715.70 for a Sim from R Wood, Middleton; £1627.08 for a Sim from WP Carson & Son, Grange Mill; and £1512.90 for a Sim from R Wood, Middleton.
On 18th August, Aberdeen and Northern Marts at Thainstone sold 105 Head of Adult Breeding Cattle. Leading prrices from the reduction sale of Innes Farms, Cairnhill saw Simm breeding to the fore and with prices Including: Heifer with Heifer Autumn Calf: Sim – £3,250; Heifer with Bull Autumn Calf: Sim – £3,100, £3,050, £2,900, £2,750, £2,550; SimX – £2,450; Cow with Bull Autumn Calf: Sim – £3,050 (X2), £2,900, £2,800; SimX – £2,900, £2,850 (X2) Cow with Heifer Autumn Calf: Sim – £3,250, £3,150, £3,050; SimX – £3,000, £2,850 (X2); Heifer with Heifer Spring Calf: Sim – £2,900, £2,850 Heifer with Bull Spring Calf: Sim – £2,900 (X2), £2,850 Cow with Bull Spring Calf: SimX – £2,850, £2,800, £2,700 Cow with Heifer Spring Calf: SimX – £2,750, £2,700. Other Leading prices out with reduction, £2,550 for a Simmental Heifer with a Limousin Cross heifer Calf from Upper Sauchen, Ordhead.
Hexham & Northern Marts held its weekly catalogued sale of 112 Store Cattle on 18th August. R Harrison & Son, Peddar Hill, Longtown sold a marvellous run of 25 Angus x Simmental x steers, hailing out of dairy mothers, going on to average £1510. Lancaster Auction Mart’s sale of calves, OTM and store cattle on 18th August saw OTM heifers sell to 239.5p/kg and £1379 for a Simmental x from BW&LM Kirkby, Wennington.
At Hallworthy’s sale of store cattle on 17th August, a tremendous entry of 355 quality Cattle sold to a top twice at £1555. First to hit the £1555 was ID & SS Backway of St Eval, with their Simmental x Steers which were a credit, blocky well fleshed Steers which looked a picture, their next trio ran in at £1500, with their next two bunches to £1460 and £1440, all around the 18 months. At Thainstone on 17th August, Aberdeen & Northern Marts saw a total of 24 Cast Cows and Bulls and forward from Orkney consignors with leading prices seeing beef cows sold to £1,790 gross for a 898kg Simmental from J W S Wishart, Knockhall, South Ronaldsay.
At Truro’s sale of store cattle on 16th August, a very good entry saw 110 going under the hammer. An excellent run of cattle from Messrs I D & S S Backway of St Eval topped both the steer and heifer sections with their best pair of 17 month old Simmental steers realising £1500 away to Mr A C Chudleigh of Lawhitton and their best pair of 16 month old Simmental heifers away at £1325 to Messrs W A Rapson & Sons of Milton Abbot.
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, on 16th August sold 104 store cattle, 50 adult head of breeding cattle and 44 OTM cattle. Heifers (59) averaged 258.6p per kg and sold to 324.8p per kg for a pair of 505g Simmental crosses from Torran Farm, Delny and £1,640 gross for a pair of 552kg Simmental crosses also from Torran Farm, Delny. Cow with calf at foot (37) sold to £2,100 gross for a Simmental cross cow and calf from Morvich Farm. Cow in calf (4) sold to £1,450 gross for a Simmental cross from Morvich Farm, Rogart.
At Holsworthy’s sale of 220 store cattle on 16th August, best meat types saw a strong trade to a top of £1370 for a 21mth Simmental from Messrs EG Bluett & Son of North Tamerton who sold other Simmental steers to £1300. Finished cattle saw a top of 196p for a good meat non FA Simmental steer from Mr WM Bridgman of Jacobstow.
In a sale of 206 store cattle on 16th August at Market Drayton, the trade was topped by a 629kg Simmental steer at £1,760.00 from D. & A. Warrington.
At United Auctions, Stirling on 16th August, Beef Cows and Bulls (123) – averaged 179.48p to 244.80p per kg for a SIMX from Burnhouse.
At Dingwall & Highland Marts sale of prime cattle on 15th August, Prime Bullocks averaged 261.1p per kg and sold to £1,837.55 gross for a 715kg Simmental cross from Druid Temple Farm, Inverness. Prime Heifers averaged 255.0p per kg and sold to £1,612.00 gross for a 650kg Simmental Cross from Balnageith, Forres.
On Monday 14th August 2023 at Lanark, Lawrie and Symington Ltd had forward 135 cattle comprising of 44 bullocks and heifers, 70 cast cows and 21 calves and stirks. Beef cows sold to £1810 per head for Simms from Messrs Tennant, Oldhill Farm.
At Hallworthy’s TB restricted market on 14th August, a decent entry of 70 well fleshed TB Cattle through the ring saw the Heard Bros of St Issey steal the show with a 28 month Simmental x Steer, a big framed Steer with plenty of flesh away at £1495. In a sale of feeding bulls at Worcester on 12th August, an eight month old Simmental x from AV Verity topped the trade at 239ppkg.
In a sale of cull cows at Frome on 11th August, a Simmental from RE Dury & Son, Compton Martin led the way at £1344. At Thainstone on 10th August, Aberdeen & Northern Marts saw a total of 30 Cast Cows and Bulls forward from Orkney consignors with leading prices seeing beef cows sold to £1,870 gross for a 842kg Simmental and to 229.8p per kg for a 796kg Simmental from Firm of Paterson, Veltigar, Tankerness.
On 10th August at Hallworthy, an entry of 90 store cattle saw a faster trade with young cattle looking very well sold. £1410 was top for a big Sim x Steer in from CC & SM Larsen of Blisland.
C&D Auction Marts held their weekly sale at Longtown on Thursday 10th August 2023. In the show of mainly feeding cows forward, the sale peaked at 166p for a Simmental from AG & ME Bateman, Langholm, Campbeltown, which also topped the price per head at £1,045.
On 9th August at United Auctions, Stirling, and a sale of store cattle & young bulls, young bulls averaged 227.10p to 237.10p for a SIMX from Binzian.
In a sale of 169 store cattle at Market Drayton on 9th August, the heifer trade was led by a 532kg Simmental at £1,290.00 from F.H. Davies.
In H&H’s primestock sale at Borderway Mart, Carlilse on 7th August, Simmental crosses sold to £1834.57 for 766kg from Messrs Reid, Bengall, Lockerbie and another to £1825.58 both purchased by Mr Eric Hall, and to feature in the top end of prices. C & D Auction Marts held their fortnightly sale of 220 store cattle in Dumfries on Monday 7th August 2023. Simmentals topped both the bullocks and the heifers. Simm Bullocks topped at £1445 from J B Paterson & Co, Hartbush and to 296.6p/kg. The same home had others at £1390. Heifers topped at £1300 for Simms sold by B M Ramsay, High Auchneel and with others at £1240. In a sale of young bulls at Bakewell on 7th August, the leading gross price was £1795.68 for a 696kg Sim from NC Gregory, Blackwell.
Aberdeen & Northern Marts on 4th August at Thainstone saw 77 Store Cattle forward from Orkney Consignors. Bullocks (71) Sold to a top of 319.5p per kg for a 482kg Simmental from S W Paterson & Co, Nessbreck, Harray.
On 3rd August and a sale of cast cows and bulls at Aberdeen and Northern Marts, Thainstone, Beef Feeding Cows (45) averaged £1187.44 and sold to £1570 for a 784kg Simmental Cross from Broomhill, Bridge of Muchalls.
At Hallworthy’s sale of 260 store cattle on 3rd August, heifers were led by R Heywood of Woolsery who saw their Simmental x suckler heifers at 24 months to £1370 for a strong and very well set pair of Heifers, with a second pen a trio with depth and fleshing to £1340.
On 2nd August, Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly sale of bulls and weaned cattle at Carlisle. Topping the bulls and the day’s sale at £1410 were two outstanding Simmentals bulls from Messrs Goldsbrough, Moffat. Dungannon Farmers Mart’s weekly sale on 2nd August saw steers sell to a height of £1780 for a 705kg Sim (253.00), presented by A Walsh.
Skipton Auction Mart held their fortnightly sale of young feeding bulls, store bullocks & heifers, breeding cattle, and with 368 head of cattle forward. The sale of feeding cows saw Simmentals from RD Elliott take the top prices at £1680, £1620, & £1580. C&D Auction Marts Ltd held their fortnightly sale of store cattle on 1st August at Longtown. The sale topped at £1,150 for Simmental bullocks shown by H Ramsey Ltd, Millisle, Newton Stewart.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 166 Calves and Stirks at their weekly sale on 1st August at Ayr. Bullock stirks topped at £1130 for a Simmental Cross Bullock from Glenlea.
Official Simmental Society Sales in the Year Gross £2,091,406, up by £87,479
The upsurge in performance for British Simmental has seen pedigree registrations and birth notifications increase for a second year in a row. In the figures released by the British Simmental Cattle Society for the pedigree registration year of 1st August 2022 to 31st July 2023, the overall total was 7633 up by 245 and representative of a 3.3% increase.
Going hand in hand with these figures another strong year of Official Society Pedigree Simmental in the same period has seen a sales gross of £2,091,406, up by £87,479 (4.35%) on the year. The strong sales demand for both bulls and females saw a number of new breed record marks set in the year and including at Stirling, Carlisle, and Aberdeen. The sales at Stirling in May 2022, October 2022, and February 2023, all saw breed record averages attained for these fixtures. Stirling in February 2023 was the highest grossing sale with 97 bulls averaging a new February record of £7,260, up £425 on the year. The sale in October at Stirling saw a new Simmental breed record all-sale average of £7,559 for 45 bulls, up by £1,597 on the year, and up by £734 on the previous sale record mark. At the second staging of the establishing Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves at Carlisle in December a top price of 18,000gns was attained, with heifer averages of £5202, up by £806 on the year. Both the top price and heifer average were new breed centre records.
This further increase in pedigree registrations, combined with the demand at the point of sale was again welcomed by the Society’s President Norman Robson, Kilbride Farm, Ballyclare who said: “There’s a real forward industry emphasis by beef producers on the efficiencies and value that Simmental genetics can deliver. The Simmental’s benchmark is their milk fertility, calving ease, temperament, and abilities to rear a fast-growing calf without creep feeding. Add in that AHDB data continues to show the breed as the number one continental breed for age at slaughter, and it just collectively highlights that adding Simmental genetics gives you super maternal performance and top-class carcass traits.”
Commenting further he went on to say: “In the course of the year we conducted a wide-ranging survey of Simmental bull buyers, and we were delighted that the breed received a 94% approval rate from commercial buyers who confirmed that they would purchase further Simmental bulls. I’d like to congratulate breeders for the quality of stock they are bringing forward and would urge everyone to keep placing an emphasis on breeding selection and improvement.”
The next pedigree sales under the Society’s auspices will be the 2023 Stirling Sale on Monday October 23rd that sees 122 Simmental bulls entered from breeders. Following the bull sale on the same day will be the Complete Dispersal Sale (due to retirement) of the noted Heathbrow Polled Simmental herd, of David & Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Codicote, Hitchin, Herts.
• £32,000 is the second highest price paid for a Simmental bull in the UK
Corskie Nutmeg, the January 2022 born Simmental bull from WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers has been sold privately for £32,000 to the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire.
At this year’s Royal Highland Show in June, Corskie Nutmeg put himself firmly in the shop window when winning the Simmental Junior Male Championship; Reserve Overall Male; and Reserve Overall Junior; and before going on to win Reserve Overall in the Beefbreeder Interbreed. Immediately catching the ring side eye of John Barlow, an approach to the Green family was made and after a few days discussion and consideration the deal was done. Beyond heading home to Corskie and passing all the usual tests, the bull was picked up in mid-August and has now joined the 80-cow pedigree Denizes Simmental herd in Lancashire.”
The £32,000gns price is the second highest paid for a Simmental bull in the UK and sitting only sitting behind the 45,000gns the Greens themselves paid for Bel Dhu Capercaillie at Stirling back in February 2013. With a breeding connectivity, Capercaillie is the sire of Corksie Nutmeg’s dam, Corskie Jasmine EX92.
Commenting on the purchase John Barlow said, “We didn’t go to the Highland with a view to looking for a bull but Corskie Nutmeg just had that x-factor and we couldn’t miss the opportunity. Dad (Michael) and I moved quickly for him because he has everything we look for in a Simmental stock bull and with his quality we knew there had to be a lot of interest in him! Nutmeg’s got length, power, muscle, and with a real sweetness and style. He comes from a foremost herd with proven cow families, has a real depth on both sides of his pedigree, and has top performance indexes. We have Denizes Hamish, Saltire Impressive, and Coose Gambler as stock bulls and all bringing something different to the herd. Nutmeg adds to that and we’re excited about the prospect of him clicking with these other lines.”
Of the £32,000 sale price, John Barlow went on to say, “This is a purchase to take that next step for the future of the Denizes herd. If he breeds to his own quality then he’ll prove to be a real value investment.”
Corskie Nutmeg is sired by the herd’s stock bull Kilbride Farm Haka who the Greens purchased for 10,000gns at Stirling in 2018. The herd enjoyed a ‘stellar’ 2023 Royal Highland Show that saw them win six classes and a host of Championship titles. Three of the class winners were sired by Kilbride Farm Haka including the January 2021 born heifer Corksie Mimic who was the day’s Reserve Supreme Overall Champion. Nutmeg is out of the aforementioned Corskie Jasmine, who herself was a first prize winner at this year’s Highland and Reserve Interbreed at the Black Isle Show, and whose classification of EX92 is the highest ranking a third-calving female can attain.
Speaking of the private sale Laura Green said, “In going to the Highland we had no thought of selling Nutmeg and the plan was very much to use him within the herd and on females that we felt he would really click with. John approached us at the show and there was also significant subsequent interest from a number of breeders. This led to a fair bit of family discussion and the decision was made to sell him. Nutmeg’s always been one of my favourites and is a total sweetheart with a terrific temperament and all the attributes both terminally and maternally. We’re really delighted that he’s going to a renowned herd like Denizes. Everyone at Corskie wishes Michael and John all the best with him and very much look forward to seeing his progeny in due course.”
For the noted 180-cow Corskie herd the £32,000 was their top sale price received to date and eclipsing the 25,000gns mark attained for Corskie Gingersnap in 2016. The Corskie herd has eight bulls entered at the upcoming October Stirling Sale and four of which are Kilbride Farm Haka sons.
The Cornwall Simmental Club Commercial Open Day, kindly hosted by Ian and Sandra Backway & Family based at Trerair Farm, St Eval, saw a good turnout allied to some top cattle on Sunday 13th August.
The Backways farm over one hundred and forty hectares and which borders the redundant R.A.F. St Eval airfield. The land is 92m above sea level and exposed to the north coast with Trevose Head just 2.6 kms away.
Their fifty suckler cows also include ten pedigree Longhorns. Two pedigree Simmental bulls, Killiworgie Iceman (Kilbride Farm Comber) and Crowgey Las Vegas (Corrick Harrison) run with the commercials while their Longhorn bull Blackbrook F1 is used on the pedigree cows and all the heifers. Currently eighty home-bred and purchased suckled calves, will be sold as stores through Truro and Hallworthy livestock markets at fifteen to eighteen months. One hundred and fifty Texel ewes complete their livestock numbers.
Ian and Sandra started their suckler herd by buying dairy x beef heifers calves out of Truro market and started crossing them with the best pedigree beef bulls they could afford. After trying various breeds, they settled on Simmentals because of their temperament, and with them growing their spring born calves so well on grass alone. Most of their cows are pure bred.
The calves are weaned in late October and housed until April when herd replacements to calve at three are selected. The retained heifers and mature cattle are outwintered and cope with all the might of the Atlantic gales sheltered by the thick Cornish hedges. Calving starts in March outdoors and since using the pedigree Longhorn bulls on first time mothers over fifty have calved unaided.
Ten hectares of spring barley are grown for cattle feed. A further twenty hectares produces a mixture of vegetables to supply three wholesalers and their farm shop with brassicas, swedes, and potatoes. The family grow all their own plant and cut six days a week for eleven months of the year to fulfil their orders!!
After the farm tour the visitors were treated to a proper “Cornish Cakey Tea” where a packed table of home-made refreshments drew gasps of awe from the children present.
The afternoon concluded with a presentation by Martyn Tripp on Mighty-Min organically stabilised essential trace mineral supplements. Sold successfully throughout the whole of Australia for more than twenty years the company is expanding its manufacturing and marketing operations into the UK. Working with Cornish members of the family, Cornish Liquid Minerals was launched two years ago and covers the southwest of England. Using the unique “Floater Doser”, mineral supplements are dispensed into animals drinking water troughs.
The Cornwall Simmental Club Chairman Barrie Wynter gave a vote of thanks and presented Ian and Sandra with gifts as a mark of appreciation for all their hard work to make the afternoon a great success.
STOP PRESS
The stores photographed sold very well. Steers topped at £1555 for a pair of 16 months old at Hallworthy on 17th August. The twenty-seven steers all averaged £1420, all 15-18 months. Five heifers averaged £1225, 16-18 months old at Truro Livestock Market 16th August. Top price at both markets.
• 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.
Dumfries Show provided the setting for the Simmental breed to put on a fantastic 2023 Scottish Simmental National Show on Saturday 5th August. The forecast rain just about held off long enough for the exhibitors from the north of England, along with exhibitors from the north, central belt, west, and south west of Scotland, to put on a collective quality promotion of Simmental cattle across the classes. Both sections saw some heavyweight shootouts as high performing summer show cattle came together for the first time, combined with new lines and new faces at this years’ shows.
Judge Bridget Borlase in action
At the end of some three hours of intense judging by Bridget Borlase of the noted Sacombe herd, Watton, Hertfordshire, it 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 got the Championship tap forward to win the Overall Supreme Championship. Following straight on from the Simmental judging, Popes Princess Immie moved straight to the head to head with the other breed Champions and where she powered through to win the Overall Individual Interbreed and this time in front of the judge Stephen Illingworth, Howgillside Farm, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie.
These latest wins capped a remarkable showing year for Popes Princess Immie as she added the Scottish Simmental National Show, and Dumfries Show Interbreed titles, to the Simmental Supreme at the English Simmental National Show, and Reserve Continental Interbreed, at the Royal Norfolk; and the Simmental Supreme and Overall Individual Interbreed titles at the Great Yorkshire Show. At the Scottish Simmental National Show the Popes herd roll call of prizes included: Simmental Supreme Champion, Dumfries Show Interbreed Champion, Overall Simmental Female, and with Popes Princess Noor winning Junior Female, and Reserve Junior Champion. Quite a show and quite a summer!
Sired by Kilbride Farm Comber, Popes Princess Immie is out of the herd’s heralded show cow Popes Princess Cleo who herself secured a number of ‘major’ show Interbreeds in 2017, also as a six-year-old, and with Immie as her calf at foot! Immie has also had a tremendous calf at foot herself in the shape of the January born Popes Premier sired by Popes Lethal Weapon.
Commenting on her Champion, the judge Bridget Borlase said: “This is just a super cow and I feel a very worthy winner amidst some really strong competition and a tough but very enjoyable one to judge. Immie’s not overly big but is very well balanced and has a tremendous show ring presence. She’s just full of flesh and carries herself ever so well. With plenty of sparkle she oozes femininity and is doing a great job of what is a terrific calf at foot.” Of the day generally, the judge wen on to say: “I’d firstly like to thank the Scottish Simmental Club, Dumfries Show, and the British Simmental Cattle Society for the great honour of being invited to judge this year’s high profile show. I’d also like to congratulate the breeders and the stock people for the breed spectacle they put on today, you’d go a long way to see a better show! The line up of prize winners from across the female classes was outstanding and a great credit to all. As the judge watching class after class, I can say the breed in general is in a really healthy place which is great to see.”
For the Wood family of Jimmy, Vikki, Harry, and Hannah,and all the supporting team the win at Dumfries ensured what has been a marquee show year for the 50-cow Popes herd. Speaking afterwards Vikki Wood said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to win the Scottish Simmental National Show to cap what has been an amazing summer show season for us. The standard here at Dumfries Show was so high and I’d really like to congratulate all of the exhibitors. Achieving these wins is of course fantastic for the Popes herd but the shows are really all about putting good quality cattle in front of people and flying the Simmental flag. I think all of the breeders here really collectively achieved that.” Continuing Vikki went on to say: “We’ve had some tremendous Popes females at shows in past years and I think Immie is now right up there. She’s more than done her bit and will now gracefully retire from the show ring. The Popes herd is all about females and families, strong, proven female lines breeding the next generation of replacement females, and bulls for sales. The shows continue to be a tremendous and important shop window for breeding lines and forward sales.”
The much anticipated senior cow class provided a bit of a clash of the titans with Popes Princess Immie narrowly pipping the rising eight-year-old Annick Colleen’s Ginger from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire. Bred by the late Lachlan Quarm, By Irvine, Ayrshire, Annick Colleen’s Ginger is by Corskie Callum and out of Annick Prudence’s Colleen EX95. She was bought by the Simmers at the Annick Herd Dispersal Sale in Stirling in September last year for a combined 23,000gns with her calf at foot, and a Simmental sale breed record for an outfit. From the class, Annick Colleen’s Ginger followed the Champion all the way through to take the Overall Reserve Supreme title. Ginger was shown with her February 2023 born heterozygous polled heifer calf at foot, Backmuir Ginger’s Paprika (P). Of her reserve Overall, Bridget Borlase said: “Again, the reserve was an extremely well balanced cow, showed herself extremely well, and was just that bit older than the Champion. Another super outfit and it was a very close run competition between Champion and Reserve with both just full of quality.”
Underlining the quality factor, the very next class saw the three year old Annick Ginger’s Lucia, this year’s Overall Simmental Supreme at the Royal Highland Show, win the class for cow’s born between 1st January 2020 and 31st January 2020. Also bred by Lachlan Quarm, Ginger’s Lucia was another to be purchased at the Annick Dispersal Sale and where she made 16,000gns. Annick Ginger’s Lucia is out of the aforementioned Annick Colleen’s Ginger and is sired by Wolfstar Golddigger.
Backmuir Eva’s Neva Reserve Junior Female
Making a long journey very worthwhile the Backmuir team also picked up the Reserve Junior Female title with their January 2022 born heifer Backmuir Eva’s Neva who won the class for heifers born between Ist January and 31st March 2022. Also a class winner at this year’s Royal Highland, Eva’s Neva is by Islavale Imperial and is out of Starline Eva 25th.
Popes Princess Noor Junior Female & reserve Junior ChampionJunior Female Championship – Popes Princess Noor & Backmuir Eva’s Neva
Another star from the Popes team this summer has been the heifer Popes Princess Noor and she was at it again in Dumfries when lifting the Junior Female and Reserve Junior Championship. Again, with a connectivity in breeding, this April 2022 born ET calf is by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie making her a full sister to the 2022 English Simmental National Champion Popes Princess Lumi, and a half sister to Popes Princess Immie. These titles added to the Junior Championship win at the Royal Norfolk, the Reserve Junior Championship at the Great Yorkshire, and being part of the winning Junior Interbreed Team of Four also at Harrogate, for this stylish heifer.
Male Champion Overhill House NikoJunior Championship – Overhill House Niko & Popes Princess Noor
In a good show of bulls it was Overhill House Niko from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian, who proved to be the day’s star turn in this section when winning the Male Championship, Junior Male Championship, and Overall Junior Championship. Entirely homebred, Niko is by Overhill House Enhance, a Banwy T-Rex son. His granddam on the sire line is Ranfurly Weikel 6th who was purchased as an in-calf heifer from David Hazelton and who herself had a strong show record behind her. Overhill House Niko is out of the cow Overhill House Keelo. Commenting on her Male Champion, Bridget Borlase said: “I really liked this bull. He’s just full of breed character, has plenty of length, and has a lovely quality, soft flesh to him.” This Male Championship comes on the back of a strong sales year for the Overhill House team that saw them take the top price at the Simmental sales at both Stirling and Carlisle in May, and with Stirling seeing a top all -breeds price of 16,000gns for Overhill House Neil. Speaking afterwards Richard McCulloch said: “We’re delighted to win the Male Championship and it’s been a tremendous show of Simmental cattle, maybe the best I’ve seen at a one day show.” The plan from here is that Overhill House Niko will be aimed at the Stirling Simmental Sale in October.
Reserve Male & Senior Male Champion Islavale JabbaMale Championship – Overhill House Niko & Islavale Jabba
It was great to see some senior Simmental bulls in the show ring and from this section came the Reserve Male Champion in the shape of the winner of Class one, Islavale Jabba from Gavin Brown’s Springfield herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. Bred by WS Stronach, Keith Banffshire this bull was originally purchased for 6000gns in 2020 through United Auctions. A prolific breeder in the 30 cow herd he has sired some 40 calves in this last two years. With a show track record behind him Islavale Jabba, ‘a well muscled senior bull that has retained his sweetness’, took Reserve Senior Bull and Reserve Overall Male at the 2021 Live Streamed Royal Highland Show. This year he has won the Overall Championship at Dalkeith Show. a has taken Overall Champion at Dalkeith Show this year. At the 2021 Live Streamed Royal Highland Show, he took Reserve Snr Bull and Reserve Overall Male. Standing Reserve in the Senior Males was Auchorachan Kennedy from local breeders Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. This four year old bull, bred by D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, was purchased for 9000gns at Stirling in February 2021. 2019 born he is a son of the prolific Auchorachan Hercules, and is out of Auchorachan Gypsy EX92, a Rabawn Caesar King daughter.
Junior Male Championship – Overhill House Niko & Annick Nazareth
Taking the Reserve Junior Male was Annick Nazareth from the Merkland herd of Jim & Liz Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven. This April 2022 born bull was also bred by Lachlan Quarm and was a further purchase at the Annick Dispersal Sale when he made 7500gns as part of the outfit with his dam, Annick Friesia’s Kiki VG85. Sired by Kilbride Farm Karl, Annick Nazareth has this year been Champion at Neilston, and Ayr Show respectively, and was Reserve Champion at Newmilns Show. Described as a bull with ‘tremendous length and plenty of shape’, Annick Nazareth will be used as a stock bull in the Merkland pedigree herd.
In the Pairs, it was Lindsay Currie, along with his son Robert, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan, Ayrshire who took first prize with two very smart heifers, Braegarrie Nadia, and Braegarrie Norma who had both placed second in their respective classes. The April 2022 born Nadia is by Woodhall Ferrari and is out of Braegarrie Julia, a Keeldrum Geronimo daughter. The August 2022 born Braegarrie Norma is by Overhill House Link 20, and is out of Braegarrie Giselle. Overhill House Link was purchased for 7500gns at the Stirling October Bull Sales in 2021 and is the stock bull in the fifteen cow Braegarrie pedigree herd. Commenting, Lindsay Currie said: “It’s the first time we’ve shown in a while but we were thrilled to support the Scottish Simmental National Show at a venue close to home. The heifers behaved really well in the ring considering it was their first time out and Robert and I are delighted to have won the Pairs class with them.”
Lindsay Currie, who along with his son Robert, won the Pairs Class with Braegarrie Nadia & Braegarrie Norma
The Scottish National Simmental Show
Kindly hosted by Dumfries & Lockerbie Agricultural Society
Saturday 5th August, 2023
Judge: Ms Bridget Borlase, Watton At Stone
Results
Class 107 Bull Born before 31st December 2021
1st 159 Islavale Jabba, Gavin Brown
2nd 158 Auchorachan Kennedy, Jim & Patricia Goldie
3rd 160 Springfield Masterclass, Gavin Brown
4th 161 Westridge Matty, Mr & Mrs M Ward & Sons
Class 108 Bull born between 1st January 2022 and 31st March 2022
1st 164 Newbiemains Nightrider, Jim & Patricia Goldie
Class 109 Bull born between 1st April 2022 and 30th June 2022
1st 166 Overhill House Niko, Richard McCulloch
2nd 169 Annick Nazareth,J & E Dyet
3rd 177 Denzies Neff, Barlow Brothers
4th 175 Popes Nami, J H & V G Wood
5th 173 Springfield Niagra, Gavin Brown
Class 110 Bull born between 1st July 2022 and 31st December 2022
1st 184 Denzies Nacho, Barlow Brothers
2nd 217 Kennox Nero, David Craig
3rd 182 Braegarrie Nugget, D L & S Currie
4th 183 Braegarrie Nero, D L & S Currie
Class 111 Cow, born before 31st December 2019
1st 189 Popes Princess Immie, J H & V G Wood
2nd 185 Annick Coleen’s Ginger, Reece Simmers
3rd 187 Newbiemains Just a Star, Jim & Patricia Goldie
4th 186 Drumsleed Flick, J & E Dyet
Class 112 Cow born between 1st January 2020 & 31st December 2020
1st 190 Annick Ginger’s Lucia, Reece Simmers
2nd 191 Islavale Liquorice, Gavin Brown
Class 113 Heifer born between 1st January 2021 & 30th April 2021
1st 198 Popes Trixies Mikala, J H & V G Wood
2nd 193 Merkland Mandy, J & E Dyet
Class 114 Heifer born between 1st May 2021 & 31st August 2021
1st 196 Newbiemains My Girl, Jim & Patricia Goldie
2nd 201 Merkland Marie, J & E Dyet
3rd 194 Merkland Myra, J & E Dyet
Class 115 Heifer born between 1st September 2021 & 31st December 2021
1st 203 Grangewood Tollie’s Millie, A S & Y A Leedham
2nd 204 Coltfield Martha, J Cameron MacIver
Class 116 Heifer born between 1st January 2022 & 31st March 2022
1st 205 Backmuir Eva’s Neva, Reece Simmers
2nd 162 Annick Fresia’s Neomi, J Cameron MacIver
3rd 207 Grangewood Tollie’s Natasha, A S & Y A Leedham
4th 208 Future Newgirl, C A Jackson
Class 117 Heifer born between 1st April 2022 and 30th June 2022
1st 216 Popes Princess Noor, J H & V G Wood
2nd 213 Braegarrie Nadia, D L & S Currie
3rd 211 Backmuir Kreole’s Natasha, Reece Simmers
4th 209 Skerrington Faith, William Kirk
Class 118 Heifer born between 1st July 2022 & 31st December 2022
1st 218 Annick Lucia’s Nicosia, Reece Simmers
2nd 220 Braegarrie Norma, D L & S Currie
3rd 221 Braegarrie Nigella, DL & S Currie
4th 226 Grangewood Nicole, A S & Y A Leedham
5th 222 Newbiemains Nap, Jim & Patricia Goldie
Class 119 Calf born in the year of the Show on or after 1st January 2023
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