Simmental females are established as leading suckler cows with outstanding milkiness and fertility, ease of calving, and who can wean calves at 50% of their bodyweight at 200 days. Female genetics are the Simmental breeds benchmark of quality, but you can add in leading age at slaughter abilities, fast growing progeny with terrific weight for age, and high quality carcases hitting the spec, and with a high retail beef yield. The following are the latest series of market briefs showing Simmental sired cattle, across all categories, topping commercial sales around the UK. There’s more to Simmental.
In Kivells store cattle sale at Hallworthy on 27th July, top of the day was £1435 for some super Simmental x Heifers in from R Heywood of Woolsery, who sold more to £1235.
On 26th July, United Auctions sold 536 store cattle & young bulls, and 129 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls at Stirling. Beef cows and bulls (102) sold to £2030 for a SimX from West Mains. In a sale of store cattle at Market Drayton on 26th July, the joint best in the steer was a 566kg Simmental at £1300 from Fowler & Breeze.
Exeter’s store cattle sale on 21st July saw a super run of pure Simmentals from Stephen Pearce up from Liskeard top the steers with a couple selling for £1665 apiece with his younger sorts to £1560. At a sale of cast cows and bulls on 20th July at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts sold 86 beef feeding cows to average £1143.72 and to a top of £1445 for a 686 kg Simmental cross from The Orchard, Home Farm.
On 20th July, Caledonian Marts Ltd Stirling sold 146 Cattle comprising of 94 Bullocks, Heifers and Young Bulls, 31 OTM cattle and 21 Calves. Dairy Bred Bulls (Under 30 months) sold to 248ppkg for Fleckvieh’s from R Nelson, Blairmains, Culross and to £1320 from the same home.
C&D Auction Marts held their weekly sale of Primestock on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at Dumfries. The trade for OTM’s was led by Simms at £1539 from East lanegate, and who had others at £1141. In a sale of clean cattle at Market Drayton on 19th July, overage steers sold to 262p (£1,865.44) for a Simmental from Mr Darren Young. In a sale of 521 rearing calves on the same day, continental bulls a pleasure to sell with the strong mediums and best a very fast trade. Top call went to a Simmental bull at £405 from DV&DA Cliffe & Son, Sound.
At Skipton on 19th July, the sale of breeding cattle saw some strong outfits of Simmentals with Calves to £2080 from RD Loftus to top the section. In the young bulls Simmental led the breed averages at £1424. Leading Simmentals were: £1460, £1430 RD Elliott; £1260 TS&HJ Park. Simmentals also led the store heifer averages at £1446. Lead Simmental prices were: £1470, £1460, £1400, RD Elliott.
At Dungannon farmers Mart on 19th July, fat cows continue to sell steadily to peak at £1450 for a 700kg Sim (207.00) presented by J Somerville, with a further Sim at £1380 690kg (200.00).
At Stirling on 19th July, United Auctions sold 554 store cattle & young bulls, 55 Rearing cattle. Also 150 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Also sold was 206 Breeding Cattle. Heifers (242) averaged 260.26p to 300.30p per kg for a 373g SIMX from The Riggs. Beef Cows and Bulls (117) averaged 190.91p to 253.20p per kg for a SIM from Ardtornish, and to £2070 for a SIM from Midtown. Out of Spec Cattle (15) averaged 233.54p to 256.30p per kg for a SIMX from Keithick.
SIMMENTALS TOP BOTH BULLS AND HEIFERS AT WHITLAND MART, CARMARTHENSHIRE JJ Morris Auctioneers Whitland Livestock Market on 18th July saw a sale of 184 calves with the best quality meeting a strong demand. Bulls sold to £440 for a 4-week-old Simmental from Jones, Llangynnor and with heifers selling to £410 for an 8 week old Simmental from the same producer. Simmental calves overall topped the all-breed averages.
In a sale of 331 store and breeding cattle on 17th July at Bakewell, the cow trade was led by a Sim x cow, 120 months, with bull calf at foot at £1920 and from Mrs K Growcott, Leigh.
In a sale of prime cattle at Sedgemoor on 17th July, heifers sold to £1,838.47 for a 731kg Simmental (731kg) from R Bigwood, who sold another at £1,745.35 (670kg). On the same day and in a sale of barren cows, the top of the day was a long and shapely Simmental cross also from R Bigwood at 786kgs, which sold to 189.5ppk and £1,489.47.
In a sale of store cattle at Gisburn on 15th July, the trade for young bulls was topped by a Simmental x at £2350 from J Butterworth.
At a sale of cast cows and bulls on 13th July at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts sold 181 Cows and Bulls. Beef Feeding Cows (67) averaged £1,280.97 and sold to £1,650 for a 748kg Simmental Cross from Torran, Kildary.
In a sale of 170 store cattle at Hallworthy on 13th July, top spot went to R Heywood of Woolsery with a tremendous run of Simmental x Steers (pictured), his best a pen of five strong well shaped suckler x to £1655, next a pen of three to £1470 and a single very smart steer to £1340.
On 13th July, Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling sold 140 Cattle comprising of 94 Bullocks, Heifers and Young Bulls, and 46 OTM cattle. Prime bullocks sold to £2159 for a Simmental from J Brown, Gaindykehead, Airdrie purchased by Bowland Foods, Preston.
C&D Auction Marts held their weekly sale of Primestock on 12th July 2023 at Dumfries. In the OTM’s the top price per kilo was 186p for a Simm from Phernside.
At a sale of stores & breeding cattle (120) at Melton Mowbray on 12th July. J N Booth sold Simmental Heifers to the leading heifer price of £1180 at 16 months.
United Auctions, Stirling on 12th July sold 319 store cattle, native bred cattle & young bulls, also 95 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Bullocks (111) –averaged 254.6p to 302.08ppk for a 284kg SimX from Colmslie. Heifers (169) – averaged 250.6p to 281.9ppk for a 259kg SimX from Colmslie and to £1620 for a 636kg SimX from West Park. Young Bulls (18) – averaged 220.9p to 248.4ppk for a SimX from Colmslie. Beef Cows and Bulls (77) – averaged 190.9p to 242.6ppk for a SimX from West Park.
In a sale of 455 rearing calves at Market Drayton on the 12th July, top call went to a Simmental bull at £440 from P.&F. Jenkinson, Ridley.
On 10th July, Caledonian Marts Ltd Stirling had forward 182 Store Cattle at their fortnightly sale. Bullocks sold to 284 ppkg for a pen of Simmentals from J Imrie, Hillhead, Torrance.
At Huntly on 6th July, United Auctions sold 102 Store, Breeding & OTM cattle. OTMS (23) – sold to average 193.2p per kg selling to a top of 226.9p per kg for a 520kg SimX from Crakaig, Helmside.
On 6th July, Hallworthy’s sale of stirks and weaned calves saw the top spot taken by T Wellington of St Kew with a Simmental x Steer at 8 months to £720.
Darlington Farmers Mart held their weekly sale of prime stock on 6th July with 159 cattle forward. In the prime bulls, the trade and top price per kilo was led by a wonderful handy weight Simmental from Dalchirla Farms Ltd, Perthshire, when he sold for 303.3pence.
C&D Auction Marts held their weekly sale of Primestock on 5th July 2023 at Dumfries. OTM’s met plenty of competition. Beef to 229p/kg for a Simm from North Bowerhouses.
In a sale of rearing calves on 5th July at Frome, a good show of cattle saw a strong trade on the best quality sorts. Best of the day from Mark Futcher saw his quality Simmental steers to £695, £680 and heifers to £588.
In a sale of calves and weanlings at Oswestry on 5th July, weanlings aged 4-5 months were sold by J R James & Son, Church Farm with Simmental bulls to £440.
In a small sale of 84 cattle at Rugby Farmers Mart on 3rd July, the trade for cows was topped by a 882kgs Simmental at £1698 from C H Evans & Son.
On the 3rd July and a sale of weanlings at Market Drayton, the pick of the older weanling prices included seven month old Simmental bulls selling to £490 for Radwood Hall Farm Ltd.
At Gisburn’s sale of store cattle on 1st July, feeding bulls topped at £1390 for a pair of Simmentals from Brogden Farms.
At Sedgemoor’s sale of store cattle on 1st July, heifers rose to £1625 for a Simmental from EJ Collins & Son. OTM Simmentals at £1280 from W Bowen, Keynsham.
At Thainstone on 30th June, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 194 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Bullocks (69) sold to £1600 gross for a 596kg Simmental cross from Loanend.
Exeter’s sale of 358 store cattle and stirks on 30th June saw the steers topped at £1505 given for a smart Fleckvieh from Roger Semmens up from Penzance.
At a sale of store cattle at St Boswells on 29th June, Simmentals topped both the bullock and heifer trade. Leading the bullocks at 313.9ppkg and £1130 gross was bullocks from South Common. South Common also topped the heifers with Simmentals at 279.2ppkg and £1005 gross.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 304 Store Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 29th June. Top price of the day was £1740 for a Simmental bullock off Adamcroft.
At Market Drayton’s sale of 146 store cattle on 28th June, yarding cattle continue to ring the bell trading at £1,200 to £1,400 and topping at £1,440 for Simmental steers from Mr Malcom Davies, Betley. Simmentals from the same home topped the heifers at £1340 (534kgs). On the same day a sale of 633 rearing calves was held. The continental bulls have been off the scale with all grades on fire but the best just phenomenal with 38 over £350! A great show of Simmentals saw 35 averaging £336 to easily lead the breed averages!!
At a small sale of prime cattle at Frome on 28th June, the gross trade for UTM heifers was led by Simmentals at £1583 from Tytherington Down LLP, Warminster.
On 26th June, Bakewell held a sale of 131 Barren, OTM and Feeding Cows to an overall average of 182.4p/kg or £1204.85. 27 cows topped £2/kg with a high of 245p for a Simm (1 calf) heifer (34 mnths) for Messrs Willison, Warsop.
In a small sale of prime cattle at Frome on 26th June, JC Stainer’s Simmental UTM heifers sold to the joint top ppkg price of 240p with others at 238p.
At Sedgemoor’s sale of 261 busk calves and stirks on 24th June, DWJ Raffill with a Simmental steer (11m), had the joint top price of £1070.
In a sale of cast cows and bulls at Thainstone on 22nd June, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 60 cows and bulls. Beef Feeding Cows (39) averaged £1,188.70 and sold to £1,630 for a 740kg Simmental Cross from Craggan View, Skye of Curr. Bulls sold to £1,910 for a 1,080kg Simmental from Millhead, Tarland.
In a sale of rearing calves at Gisburn on 22nd June, S & E Wilkinson, Stonyhurst sold a pair of Simmental bulls at £475 to lead the male calves.
On 22nd June, Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling sold 208 Cattle comprising of 103 Bullocks, Heifers and Young Bulls, 56 OTM Cattle and 49 Calves and Stirks. All classes of bulls (Under 30 months) averaged 262ppkg and sold to 290ppkg for a Simmental from W & P Stevenson, Ballingray, Fife.
In a sale at Skipton on 21st June, Simmentals again topped the breed averages for young bulls at £1564. RD Elliott attained prices of £1640, £1620, & £1490 RD Elliott; EB webster saw prices of £1530, and £1500.
At Stirling on 21st June, United Auctions sold 125 store cattle & young bulls, 99 Rearing cattle. Also 162 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Beef Cows and Bulls (127) – averaged 193.20p to 266.80p per kg for a SIM from Callumkill.
On 20th June, Melton Mowbray held a sale of stores and breeding cattle. Framland Farms sold Simmental cows with strong Limousin calves to £2100 on two occasions, with others from the same home to £2020, £1960 and £1920.
Exeter’s sale of TB restricted (Orange market) cattle on 20th June, saw the store cattle section top at £1430 given for a pair of tidy Simmentals from the Shervington Family of Hittisleigh.
Sedgemoor on 17th June saw an excellent entry of 608 store cattle, up on the year and part of 966 with the stirks. Again some superb cattle at the top end and trade tremendous, when five cattle sold over £1900 to £1965. Top was £1965 for a forward pure bred Simmental steer (19m & FA) from BT Wood, Marshwood, who sold young types (3x only 14/16m & FA) similarly bred at £1405. In a sale of busk calves and stirks, top price went to R & J Cook, who sold three cracking Simmental steers to £1015 (3x 13m).
On 15th June and a sale of cast cows and bulls at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts, beef feeding cows (91) averaged £1359.67 and sold to £1750 for a 716kg Simmental cross from Backakelday, Holm. Bulls sold to £2580 for a 1260kg Simmental from Bridgend, Tyrie. In a sale of prime cattle on 14th June at Melton Mowbray, Simmental prime young bulls from Bartle Brothers with Simmentals sold to £1639.23 and £1568.75
Four new classes added in all, two in the bulls, and two in the heifers
Show extended to twelve classes plus the Championships
Closing date for entries is 25th September
The North West Simmental Breeders’ Club, in association with the British Simmental Cattle Society, is delighted to announce the addition of four new classes to the annual Simmental Pedigree Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle, and this year on Friday 27th October.
2021 Borderway Simmental Calf Show Champion: Springfield Major
Extending the age range for entries, two new classes have been introduced in both the bull and heifer sections and for animals born between 1st January 2022 and 31st March 2022; and also 1st April 2022 and 31st July 2022. The new schedule will now see twelve classes in all followed by the Championships, including an Overall Senior Champion, and an Overall Calf Champion. Thereafter there is a Pairs Class, and two classes for Young Handlers aged between 10 and 15 years; and 16 and 28 years.
Commenting, the North West Simmental Club Chairman Clive Houldey said: “The Simmental Calf Show has been a tremendous opportunity to show case pedigree Simmentals at what has become the largest one day autumn show in the UK. As such we are delighted to introduce these new classes and ‘upgrade’ the event name to Simmental Youngstock Show! We very much hope and anticipate that these additions extend the opportunities for Simmental breeders to promote and market their cattle and breeding potential.”
Endorsing these comments the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Chairman of Shows & Sales North John Barlow said: “There’s been a significant momentum at Simmental Society Bull Sales, breeders’ sales, and at new fixtures such as the Next Generation Sale of Females & Weaned Calves introduced at Carlisle. Shows such as this really provide a platform to promote and market Simmental stock to both commercial producers and pedigree breeders.”
Judging the extended schedule of classes will be Heather Duff from the noted Pitmudie pedigree herd at Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus.
The ‘upgraded’ North West Simmental Club Youngstock Show, in association with the British Simmental Cattle Society, represents the opportunity to put on another showcase of Simmental breeding and forward potential and is very much one to look forward to!
It’s a summer that just keeps on giving for young Simmental breeder Finlay Soutter (17), Yew Tree Farm, Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire who won the Overall Simmental Supreme Championship before going on to place Overall Reserve Interbreed Supreme, on day one of the 2023 Royal Welsh Show at Llanellwedd Wells, Powys, Monday 24th July 2023, and with his February 2021 born heifer Brandane Millie.
Millie is the foundation female in Finlay’s newly established Millennium Simmental pedigree herd, and was bred by well-known breeder and stockman Jimmy McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds. Full of pedigree Brandane Millie is by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, and out of the noted Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale. As a young heifer Millie was successfully shown in 2022 by Jimmy McMillan and where she won a number of awards including the Junior Female Championship at the Royal Highland. With a little bit of Simmental history, Finlay is believed to be the youngest Simmental breeder to have won one of the ‘major’ Royal titles!
Brandane Millie
Brandane Millie, who is due to calf in January, was purchased privately by Finlay’s granddad, Doug Mash, Chesham, Bucks and was gifted to Finlay as a birthday present to initiate his Millenium herd. A very proud Doug was on hand at ringside when Brandane Millie got the winning tap from the day’s judge Michael Barlow of the noted Denizes herd, Nr Leyland, Lancashire.
Following the judging Michael Barlow said: “This is an exceptional heifer and has everything I’d look for in a Simmental female. She’s very feminine, moves well, has a natural width to her, and is full of style, character, and quality. A terrific Simmental heifer.”
Judge Michael Barlow
Beyond the Simmental judging Brandane Millie moved on to represent the breed in the Overall Individual Interbreed. Typically judged in the late afternoon and in the natural amphitheatre of the corner of the main judging ring, the sun was out as a huge ringside audience watched the judge Owain Llyr, Denbighshire, cast his eye over the Champions from some fourteen breeds. Impeccably shown by Finlay, Brandane Millie wowed the crowds with her quality, class, presence, and natural style and was duly tapped out as the Reserve Overall Individual Interbreed Champion. Rounding off a superb week, on the fourth day of the show Finlay powered through to win the prestigious Royal Welsh Young Handlers competition and the second such win in the summer and following on from the Royal Norfolk.
Brandane Millie with Finlay Soutter (right), and Doug Mash Finlay Soutter
For young Finlay at the Royal Welsh it doesn’t get much better than winning the breed Supreme Overall, the Reserve Individual Interbreed with Granddad Doug Mash lending a helping hand, the Young handlers Championship, and all in your first year of showing!
Back in the Simmental judging and taking the Reserve Overall title was Cwarre Naughty’s Nettle from Richard Cumming, Blaencwarre, Hermon, Carmarthen. This January 2022 born heifer’s calf is by Clonagh Frosty King and is out of Cwarre Hyacinth’s Knautia who goes back to the herd’s noted Rosie’s Cadette line. A small herd of some six breeding females, the Cwarre herd are consistent exhibitors at shows and sales, and have previously won the Reserve female title at the Royal Welsh with Cwarre Cinderella’s Firefly in 2015.
Cwarre Naughty’s Nettle
Winning the Male Championship was the June 2022 born Pistyll Nightrider from GA & HM Francis, Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthen. This calf is by the noted Team Celtic and is out of Pistyll Frances VG87, a Brookwood Alla King daughter. The Pistyll herd who hold the Welsh Simmental record for a bull sold at sale, the 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman at Stirling in February 2021, have also previously won the Reserve Female Championship at the Royal Welsh Show.
• Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen takes Overall Reserve • Champion and Reserve sired by Saltire Impressive
The maiden heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Mr J & Mr A Wilson, Newry, Co Down continued her fine showing summer when winning the 2023 NI Simmental National Show Overall Supreme Championship on Saturday 22nd July, held within the Randox Antrim Show. Along the way, Nikita also picked up the Female Championship, and the Junior Championship from the judge for the day, Colin Inglis of the noted Greencap herd at Dalachy Farm, Aberdour, Fife.
These latest high profile wins, for the now seventeen-month-old maiden heifer, followed on from the Simmental Supreme Championship secured at the RUAS Balmoral Show, Belfast in May, an Interbreed at Ballymena, and multiple wins at various local shows.
February 2022 born, Ballinalare Farm Nikita is sired by the prolific 14,000gns Saltire Impressive She is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa whose Granddam is a full sister of the noted Ballinalare Farm Nightrider who was bought by Iain Green, Fochabers and has bred bulls sold up to 18,000gns for his Corskie herd. Commenting, the judge Colin Inglis said: “My Champion was just an absolutely stand out heifer. She has size, power with great femininity, and had amazing style and presence in the ring. A terrific Simmental heifer who just had it all, and a very worthy Champion in a great show of cattle.”
Judge Colin Inglis
Of his day in the ring generally, Colin Inglis went on to say: “I was delighted to be asked to judge at the Northern Irish Simmental National Show, and would like to thank the NI Simmental Club for the invitation and for looking after me so well, it was a very enjoyable day. There was a really good standard of cattle overall showing the Simmental breed off so well, and as such every class was a strong one to judge. My Champion and Reserve came from the heifer classes and both were just the quality of animals that you’d be thrilled to have in your herd. Despite the female one, two, the bull classes were all of a very high standard and comprised of a good style of cattle, it really was a wonderful show of Simmental bulls.”
Having completed a memorable ‘summer show double’, a delighted Alan Wilson said: “We’ve very much enjoyed the summer and the show successes we’ve had with Nikita and against some strong competition. She’s always been a heifer with great style, and ‘look at me’ presence in the ring. When she’s in the ring there’s very little work for us involved as she shows herself off so well! The shows continue to be a shop window to promote your herd and this summer will help to profile the planned production sale for the Ballinalare herd next year, and being held along with the Ranfurly herd.” At the time of the report, the plan was for Ballinalare Farm Nikita to have one final outing this summer at Clogher Valley.
Taking the Reserve Overall, Reserve Female, and Reserve Junior titles was Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen from Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. With plenty of breeding behind her, the October 2022 born Noreen is also by Saltire Impressive, the same sire as the Champion, and is out of Coolcran Ellas Heidi, a Dermotstown Delboy daughter and one of the most consistent breeding cows in the herd. Her Granddam, Coolcran Juliet’s Ella is a full sister of Coolcran Dazzler who was Intermediate Champion at Stirling in February 2014.
It was a high quality Championship shoot out and the judge Colin Inglis commented on his Reserve: “My Overall Reserve is just another high quality heifer, very correct and with plenty of style. She was that little bit younger but a terrific female full of potential.”
The NI Simmental National Show was the first outing for this autumn born heifer and speaking afterwards Shane McDonald was delighted with her performance: “Noreen is only nine months old and she showed herself really well in competing with the older heifers. From the word go, there has always been something very smart and sweet about this heifer and thankfully she seems to be living up to expectations at the moment. We think she has all the makings to be a star of the future.” Forward plans see the Champion and Reserve heifers likely to go head to head again with Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen also being aimed at Clogher Valley Show.
Consistent supporters of the NI Simmental Show, this year was the second consecutive year that the Coolcran herd has lifted the Reserve Overall Supreme title. Last year they picked up the award with Ashland Topaz Mair, another heifer who is sired by Saltire Impressive.
Male Champion – Craigy Notorious
Lifting the Male Championship was the February 2022 born bull Craigy Notorious from William & Jane Dodd, and their sons Jamie and Lewis, Saintfield, Co Down. Craigy Notorious is by Keeldrum Fabregas 14, and is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Craigy Violet G6. Also with a bit of a show record behind him, Craigy Notorious was Reserve Male and Reserve Junior Champion at the RUAS Balmoral Show this year. For the Dodds it’s been quite a start to their Simmental showing careers with back to back Male Championships at the RUAS Balmoral, the Reserve Male, and the Reserve Junior at this year’s RUAS Balmoral, and now the Male Championship at the NI Simmental National Show!
Reserve Male Champion – Kilbride Farm Neymar
Showing for the first time in some 23 years, to support the National Show, was the noted Kilbride Farm herd of WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. The Robsons duly picked up the Reserve Male Champion with their April 2022 born Kilbride Farm Neymar. With polled genetics on either side of his pedigree, Neymar is by Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P), and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 287 J (P). So far eight Jetstream sons have been sold to pedigree herds and with a top price to date of 13,000gns. A full brother Kilbride Farm Marvel has been sold to Andrew Clarke of the Breaghey Herd, the current Chairman of the NI Simmental Breeders’ Club. Commenting, Norman Robson, who is the President of the British Simmental Cattle Society said: “It was a one off for the herd to show again to support the National Show, and we’re delighted to win the Reserve Male Championship. The aim from here is that Kilbride Farm Neymar will go to either the October 2023, or February 2024 Stirling Simmental Sale.”
2023 NI NATIONAL SIMMENTAL SHOW CLASSES & RESULTS
Class 61 – Senior heifer, born between 01/01/21 and 30/06/21 Kindly sponsored by Noel Kilpatrick Financial Services 1st Kenneth Stubbs – Drumagarner Michelle (29/06/2021) – sire Curaheen Dickens/ dam Drumagarner Gayle 2nd Brian O’Hare – Clonguish Nova (22/02/2021) – sire Raceview King /dam – Clonguish Eve
Drumagarner Michelle
Class 62 – Intermediate heifer, born between 01/07/21 and 31/12/21 Kindly sponsored by Biocell 1st JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Mayflower (26/08/2021) – sire Raceview King/dam Lisglass Jellybean 2nd WD & JD Hazelton – Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 (14/10/2021)- sire Auchorachan Hercules /dam Ranfurly Lady Diana 33rd J5
Lisglass Mayflower
Class 63 – Junior heifer, born between 01/01/22 and 30/04/22 Kindly sponsored by Robinsons Quarry Masters 1st Joe & Alan Wilson – Ballinalare Farm Nikita (08/02/2022) – sire Saltire Impressive /dam Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa 2nd Molly Bradley – Clonagh Posh Pixie (23/02/2022) – sire Tiset Darwin/dam Cloneygowan Temptress Posh 3rd Pat Kelly – Ashland Lucy Nora (17/04/2022) – sire Ashland Legacy /dam Ashland Lucy Kay 4th William Dodd – Craigy Jessica N2 (16/04/2022) -sire Keeldrum Fabregas/dam Craigy Jessica l 14 5th Kenneth Stubbs – Drumbulcan Nala (14/03/2022) – sire Drumlone Inmate /dam Drumbulcan Hayley
Bridgewater Farm Evie 5th
Class 64 – Junior heifer, born between 01/05/22 and 31/08/22 Kindly sponsored by Provita 1st Nigel Glasgow – Bridgewater Farm Evie 5th (22/08/2022)- sire Auchorachan Hercules/dam Bridgewater Farm Evie 2nd 2nd Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Nadia (ET) (11/07/2022) – sire Raceview King/dam Hiltonstown Topaz
Class 65 – Junior heifer, born between 01/09/22 and 31/12/22 Kindly sponsored by ABP 1st S&P McDonald – Coolcran Heidis Noreen (12/10/2022) – sire Saltire Impressive/dam Coolcran Ellas Heidi 2nd JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Nectar (06/09/2022) -sire Alchester Kracker/dam Raceview Favourite 3rd Nigel Glasgow – Bridgewater Farm Hilda (05/12/2022) – sire Curaheen Bandit/dam Cloone Hilda
Breaghey Class P477
Class 66 – Heifer calf born in 2023 Kindly sponsored by T Met 1st Andrew Clarke- Breaghey Class -P477 (16/01/2023) – sire Omorga Horton / dam Breaghey Class -I286
Female Championship Kindly sponsored by T Met Female Champion – Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve Female Champion – Coolcran Heidis Noreen
Class 69 – Junior bull, born between 01/05/22 and 31/08/22 Kindly sponsored by Thompson Feeds 1st Cecil Mcilwaine – Corrick Nelson (30/06/2022) – sire Corrick Hamlet/dam Corrick Greta 2nd W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Normandy (P) (07/05/2022) – sire Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) /dam Kilbride Farm Eunice 308L (P) 3rd Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Neymar (17/08/2022) – sire Hiltonstown Lachlan/dam Hiltonstown Joy 4th Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Navigator (ET) (31/08/2022) – sire Celtic Rock / dam Hiltonstown Topaz
Lisglass Nugget
Class 70 – Junior bull, born between 01/09/22 and 31/12/22 Kindly sponsored by Animax 1st JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Nugget (14/09/2022) – sire Kilbride Farm Dragoon /dam Lisglass Jellybean 2nd W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Nebulus (06/09/2022) – sire Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P)/dam Kilbride Farm Eunice 175 F 3rd Andrew Clarke – Breaghey Netflix (07/12/2022) – sire Woodhall Ferrari /dam Breaghey Vida 2
DANI Rosebowl bull performance Award awarded to the Bull which has High Index EBV’s and also placed highest in the judging. Kindly sponsored by George Hamilton 1st Kilbride Farm Neymar 149 points 2nd Kilbride Farm Normandy (P) 130 points 3rd Corrick Nevada 122 points 4th Craigy Notorious 114 points 5th Corrick Nelson 105 points 6th Ranfurly Notorious 101 points 7th Ashfurly Notorious 84 points 8th Lisglass Nugget 80 points
Male Championship Kindly sponsored by Danskie Bank Male Champion – Craigy Notorious Reserve Male Champion – Kilbride Farm Neymar
Class 72 – Pair of animals, property of exhibitor Kindly sponsored by L & B Estate Agents 1st Cecil McIlwaine (Corrick) 2nd WD & JD Hazelton (Ranfurly) 3rd Andrew Clarke (Breaghey) 4th W H Robson & Sons (Kilbride Farm) 5th Kenneth Stubbs (Drumbulcan) 6th Nigel Glasgow (Bridgewater) 7th William Dodd (Craigy)
Class 73 – Young handler, aged 8 to 12 years-old on show day Kindly sponsored by Countryside Services 1st Rhys Rodgers 2nd Lewis Dodds 3rd Jamie Dodds 4th Danny Clarke 5th Ashton Wallace
Class 74 – Young handler, aged 13 to 18 years-old on show day Kindly sponsored by Fane Valley 1st Thomas McAlister
Super Simmentals stole the headlines on day two of the 2023 Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate as the breed secured a memorable hat-trick of Interbreed title wins. Leading the way was the six-year-old Popes Princess Immie, with her bull calf at foot Popes Premier, from Messrs JH & VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs who won this historic show’s Overall Supreme Beef Interbreed Championship in front of the Interbreed judge, Gail Ellis, St Ives Cornwall.
Sired by Kilbride Farm Comber, Popes Princess Immie is out of the much decorated show cow Popes Princess Cleo who herself secured the herd’s first Overall Supreme Interbreed at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2017 and also as a six-year-old, and with Immie as her calf at foot!
With rolling Interbreeds through the morning, the Simmental breed had already secured the Overall Junior Interbreed title through the April 2022 born Heathbrow Natasha, the Simmental Junior, & Junior Female Champion from the noted Heathbrow herd of D&L Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Herts. Dominating the juniors, the Simmentals confirmed a fantastic day when winning the Junior Interbreed. The team consisted of the Simmental Male & Junior Male Champion Heathbrow Nationwide from the Sapseds; Heathbrow Natasha, the Simmental Junior, & Junior Female Champion also from the Sapseds; Popes Princess Noor, the Simmental Reserve Junior, and Reserve Junior Female from Messrs JH&VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs; and Williams Ellie’s Nelly, who stood third in a strong class behind both the Junior, & Reserve Junior Champions, and exhibited by William Clarke Livestock Ltd, Model Farm, Hevingham, Norwich.
Winning Junior Interbreed team
The summer ‘major’ shows have seen some quality line ups of Simmental cattle and the Great Yorkshire Show carried on this trend and with exhibitors from Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire, Buckinghamshire, and Scotland.
Judge Dafydd Jones
On day one on Tuesday 10th July, the rain just about held off for the judging and under the watchful eye of Dafydd Jones of the noted Banwy Simmental herd, Welshpool, Powys. The day’s Champion, Popes Princess Immie, emerged from the first female class of the day, cow or heifer in-calf or with calf at foot, before powering through to take the Female Championship, and the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship. Immie is by the 20,000gns stock bull Kilbride Farm Comber, and has been shown through the summer with her tremendous bull calf at foot, the January born Popes Premier sired by Popes Lethal Weapon. Commenting on his choice of Champion, Dafydd Jones said: “My Champion is a thick, easy fleshing cow with plenty of width. She’s just full of milk and we can see the great job she’s doing of her calf at foot. Full of breed character she’s just a typical modern Simmental mum!” Of his day’s judging and the overall show of Simmentals, Dafydd Jones went on to say: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to judge the Simmental classes at a renowned show like the Great Yorkshire. The classes, particularly the females, were very strong throughout and full of breeding potential. Well done to all of the exhibitors and it was terrific, and well deserved, to see the breed go on to do so well in the Interbreed competitions the next day.”
Strong supporters of the Simmental sections at summer majors over the years, 2023 has proven to be another highly successful year for the Popes team of Jimmy, Vikki, Hannah, and Harry Wood. The win at the Great Yorkshire Show confirmed an outstanding ‘double, double’ with the Popes herd winning the Simmental English National Show and Great Yorkshire Show Overall Simmental Supreme titles in both 2022, and 2023. Both respective Champions, Popes Princess Immie, and Popes Princess Lumi, are out of the multi decorated Popes Princess Cleo. Immie’s Overall Supreme Interbreed title at the Great Yorkshire, and the Reserve Continental Interbreed at the Royal Norfolk has been significant icing on top of another tremendous show summer. Popes Princess Cleo secured the herd’s first Great Yorkshire Show Supreme Interbreed title when winning back in 2017.
Speaking to this further success, Vikki Wood said: “We are just blown away to win both the Simmental Championship and this prestigious Overall Supreme Interbreed. To win against the quality that was in the Simmental lines and then against the best in show just means everything and is very special. It’s a win for a Red Rose herd in the White Rose county, but the Great Yorkshire Show really is one of our favourites and we love coming here.”
Next up for Popes Princess Immie is a trip to the Scottish National Show being held within Dumfries Show on Saturday 5th August, and within an entry of 70 pedigree Simmentals. One not to be missed!
Reserve Overall Champion Brandane Millie
Making his mark this summer is young Simmental breeder Finlay Soutter (17), Yew Tree Farm, Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire and who lifted the Reserve Overall Simmental title with his February 2021 born heifer Brandane Millie. Millie is the foundation female in Finlay’s newly established Millennium Simmental pedigree herd, and was bred by well-known breeder and stockman Jimmy McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds. With a depth of pedigree Brandane Millie is by the AI bull Sterling Gino 15, and out of the noted Sterling Candy’s FCUK, a female bought at the Sterling Sale. As a young heifer Millie was successfully shown in 2022 by Jimmy McMillan and where she won a number of awards including the Junior Female Championship at the Royal Highland. Coming through a strong class for heifers born in 2021, the Reserve Overall title was a fantastic achievement for Finlay Soutter and or Brandane Millie who the judge Dafydd Jones described as being “an upstanding powerful Simmental heifer again with width, presence and character, and who I have no doubt will go on to make a first quality Simmental cow.”
A high-quality first step in the pedigree path, Brandane Millie was purchased privately by Finlay’s granddad, Doug Mash, Chesham, Bucks and was gifted to Finlay as a birthday present to initiate his Millenium herd. The Reserve title at the Great Yorkshire followed on from the Royal Norfolk and where Finlay, accompanied by Brandane Millie, won the Young Handlers trophy and which he received from William, Prince of Wales. Next step for this Millie will see her head to Llanellwedd Wells and the upcoming Royal Welsh Show.
With the herd dispersing in October this year due to retirement, the summer 2023 show season has been a showcase of the quality that will be on offer at the sale from the noted Heathbrow Simmental herd of David & Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Herts. The Great Yorkshire Show very much emphasised this with the Heathbrow herd’s roll of honours including: the Overall Junior Interbreed title; two animals in the winning Junior Interbreed team; the Simmental Male Championship; Simmental Junior Championship; the Simmental Pairs; second in the cow class; and second in the Group of Three!
The Junior Interbreed Champion, and Junior Simmental Champion, came in the shape of the classy Heathbrow Natasha. Again, with plenty of breeding behind her Natasha is by Heathbrow Important and is out of the imported Raceview Emerald Alicia600. Heathbrow Important himself won the Overall Interbreed at the Great Yorkshire in 2019 and in the same year won four out of four interbreed titles and was crowned European Simmental of the Year. A herd built around quality female lines, Raceview Emerald Alicia600 is from the noted Kim bloodline, and has been a top breeding family in the Heathbrow herd. Commenting, Dafydd Jones said: “This was a very stylish, balanced and correct heifer, and again who has all the potential to go on to be a super Simmental breeding female.” In one of the strongest classes of the day, Heathbrow Natasha pipped Popes Princess Noor from the Wood family into second place, and William’s Ellie’s Nelly from Andrew & Hayley Clarke, William Clarke Livestock Ltd, Model Farm, Hevingham, Norwich into third. Come the second day these three heifers joined with the Sapseds Male Champion, Heathbrow Nationwide, to make a sparkling team that went on to win the Overall junior Interbreed title and again in front of Gail Ellis, St Ives Cornwall.
With a connectivity in breeding, the April 2022 born ET calf Popes Princess Noor if by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie, a Popes Princess Cleo daughter. This heifer, who placed Reserve Overall Junior, won the breed Junior Championship at the Simmental English National Show at the Royal Norfolk. Entirely homebred, the February 2022 born Williams Ellie’s Nelly is by Williams Josef 18, and is out of Williams Beauxbaton’s Ellie. The five-year-old Williams Josef is a Clonagh Diehard Gallant son.
Male Champion Heathbrow Nationwide
The aforementioned Heathbrow Nationwide won both the Male Championship and the Junior Male Championship for the Sapseds. This young February 2022 born bull is the first calf by the herd’s stock bull Blackford Kirk and is out of Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy. Again with a depth of breeding in the pedigree, Blackford Kirk is a son of the Royal Highland winning bull Blackford Galaxy, whilst Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy comes from another strong breeding family in the herd and was herself Reserve breed Champion at the 2022 Great Yorkshire Show. The Heathbrow herd comprises of 100 head in total with 40 cows plus followers, and heifers. The much-anticipated Dispersal Sale will take place at United Auctions Stirling Livestock Market on Monday 23rd October and following the autumn Simmental Bull sale on the same day.
Reserve Male Champion Newbiemains Nightrider
Standing second in his class to the Male Champion was Newbiemains Nightrider from Scottish exhibitors Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. The February 2022 born Nightrider is by Annick Klondyke, and is out of Newbiemains Jetstream, a Newbiemains Golden Eye daughter.
Overall Champion and ReserveSimmental Pairs winnersMale Champion and ReserveJunior Interbreed Heathbrow NatashaSimmental Group of Three from the Wacton Herd of Sam Steggles
Great Yorkshire Show 2023 Judge Mr D Jones, Welshpool, Powys Results from the Simmental judging on Day One
Bull, born on or after 1 January 2022. 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Nationwide 2nd Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Nightrider 3rd Mr P Gunter Fircovert Neptune 4th William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Nicholas 22
Cow or Heifer, in calf or with calf at foot, having had a certified calf before attaining the age of 3 years. 1st Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Princess Immie 2nd Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Jasmine 3rd Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Just a Star 4th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Lizbet
Heifer, born in 2021. 1st Mr FS Soutter Brandane Millie 2nd Mr RE & SHW Steggles Denizes Eves Beauty 7th 3rd Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Trixies Mikala 4th Mr J Goldie Newbiemains My Girl 5th Miss LH Harding Hallway Winnies Majesty 6th Mr RE & SHW Steggles Scotland Hill Ivy Molly 7th Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Milky Way 8th Mr RE & SHW Steggles Brandane Mint
Heifer, born in 2022 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed Heathbrow Natasha 2nd Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Princess Noor 3rd William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Ellies Nelly 4th Mr CA Jackson Future New Girl 5th William Clarke Livestock Ltd Williams Nalha Kat 6th Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Nap 7th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Noel 8th Mr P Gunther Fircovert Nancy
Group of Three animals. 1st Mr RE & SHW Steggles 2nd Mr & Mrs D&L Sapsed 3rd Mr J Goldie
Pair of animals 1st Mr & Mrs D & L Sapsed 2nd Mr RE & SHW Steggles 3rd William Clarke Livestock Ltd 4th Mr J Goldie
Firming up its eating quality credentials, Simmental steaks took first and third at this year’s prestigious Tesco Sirloin Steak competition held in conjunction with Kepak MacIntosh Donald, at the Royal Highland Show, Ingliston.
Eric Scott (centre, light blue polo shirt receiving his award at the Royal Highland Show).
The winning entry came from first-time exhibitor Eric Scott, Mains of Kindrought, Strichen with a 382kg, 25-month Simmental cross heifer which graded at R4L, and which was bred by W&A Oag, Scrabster Farm, Caithness. Typically Mr Scott finishes around 750 store cattle bought from Thainstone and Huntly each year. In all the competition saw a mighty 160 entrants from across Scotland, with all of the sirloins matured for 30 days after being processed at the Portlethen site.
Whittle down to a final twelve, the sirloins were selected as part of the Tesco Finest range and preliminary judged by the company’s technical manager Max Tooley, who said all entries were ”fantastic” examples of Scotch beef. Come the Royal Highland itself the finalist sirloins were all grilled on the Tesco stand. Five judges in all then presided and including the Chair of Quality Meat Scotland Kate Rowell, and previous winner Noel Gall from Mintlaw. The steaks were judged on appearance, taste, tenderness and succulence. An added element saw the producers also interviewed on sustainability, animal health and welfare, and with this also included in the scoring.
With Simmental steaks very much to the fore, third place in the competition went to J and AF Davidson, Tarbothill, Bridge of Don, who entered a nearly 18-month Simmental steer weighing 398kg, grading R4L.
Commenting, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “A huge well done to Eric Scott for winning this high-quality competition, and to the Davidsons for coming third, both with Simmental steaks. The Simmental breed is well recognised for its maternal traits, growth, and leading age at slaughter qualities, it’s great to see it now being top of the tree in this competition for tasty, tender, succulent steaks! There’s been plenty of ‘industry discussion’ about the forward beef grading system recognising eating quality and competitions such as this show just how well-suited Simmental cattle would be to that for producers, processors, retailers, and the consumer.”
Simmental steaks have consistently featured at the top end of these tasting competitions at the Royal Highland over the years, and internationally in similar competitions in North America, and beef and lamb trials in New Zealand.
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