by Iain | Nov 17, 2024 | 2024, 2024 Midlands News, 2024 News
Shropshire-based breeder Chris Martindale has been elected as President of the British Simmental Cattle Society (BSCS) following the Society’s Annual General Meeting held recently in Stirling at the October Bull Sales.
BSCS President, Chris Martindale
Having served as a Council Member since 2021, he takes over from Norman Robson, Kilbride Farm, Ballyclare who had served as President for a two year term of office. Chris Martindale, who had been the Society’s Vice President and Chairman of Finance, also over the previous two years, becomes the 28th Chairman of the BSCS in its 54 year history, and the tenth from England.
Chris, together with his wife Kath, joined the BSCS in 1990. Their Forsdale Herd based at Coedfa, St Martins, Oswestry was established following the private purchase of two cows with calves at foot from the Dispersal Sale of the Boscobel Herd of Mrs EP Yates, Codsall Wood, Wolverhampton. Simmental was the chosen breed as the Martindales wanted cows that were easy calving and easy managed, had good docility, and great mothering ability. Today the herd comprises of twelve pedigree cows and fits well with Chris who is the Sales Manager for Lloyd’s Animal Feeds, a company he has worked for 33 years.
In recent years, the herd has gone down the polled route, again with an increasing emphasis on ease of management, and with the calves from their latest heterozygous polled stock bull, Wroxall Nescafe (P), eagerly awaited in the Spring. Keen supporters of local shows, the Forsdale Herd has met with much success showing females at Newport, Oswestry, and Denbeigh shows. Bulls are sold from the farm and to a repeat customer base. A noted pedigree judge, Chris Martindale has judged all over the country and at major shows including the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, and the Simmental World Congress show held within the Royal Norfolk in 2008. Most recently he judged the pre-sale show of Simmental bulls at Stirling in October 2022.
A significant momentum behind the Simmental breed has seen an uplift in commercial demand, a series of record sale averages, and increased pedigree registrations for three consecutive years. Commenting on this Chris Martindale said: “In a focussed industry, commercial producers need high performing, benchmark maternal traits as the long-term foundation to build their suckler herds upon.”
“There’s an increasing recognition that modern Simmental genetics gives you that and more. Easy calving, easy managed, full of milk, calving year on year, producing quality female replacements, and fleshy, growthy calves. The analysis of AHDB’s figures proves the performance of Simmental females, both pure and when crossed with any breed. Add in the further terminal advantages proven in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, and it adds up to real money and performance for producers. “
BSCS President Chris Martindale (right), making a presentation to his predecessor Norman Robson at Stirling. Michael Durno, BSCS Vice President is on the left.
A further focus of the next two years will be preparing for the 25th World Simmental Congress with it recently being announced that this will be hosted by the British Simmental Cattle Society in the United Kingdom in 2026. In a further comment, Chris Martindale went on to say:
“I am extremely honoured to have been elected as President of one of the UK’s leading beef breed societies. As a Society we’ll continue to work hard and take dead aim at promoting the Simmental’s abilities, to grow the breed across the UK markets. We’re excited to have been awarded the World Congress in 2026, and it will provide a terrific platform for us to showcase the breed to a widespread audience, both domestically and internationally.”
Michael Durno who runs the Auchorachan pedigree herd at Glenlivet, Ballandalloch, Banffshire has been elected as the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Vice President.
by Rachel Foley | Jul 22, 2024 | 2024 Midlands News, 2024 News, 2024 National Shows, 2024, 2024 North West News, 2024 East Anglia News
Cade Fifi’s Nala also wins Interbreed Continental Champion
Simmentals win Team of Four Interbreed
The outstanding September 2022 born heifer Cade Fifi’s Nala lit up the 2024 Royal Lancashire Show for breeders Paul & Sharrie Cade, Paddock Farm, Buckden, Peterborough, when taking the Overall Supreme Championship at the 2024 Simmental English National Show, before moving on to win the Overall Individual Interbreed Championship of the Royal Lancashire Show, held at Salesbury Hall, Ribchester on 19th – 21st July.
Overall Interbreed and Overall Simmental Champion Cade Fifi’s Nala
With eleven classes having been judged in the allocated ring on Saturday morning, the Simmental first and second prize winners then moved to the show’s main ring to ‘wow’ the big crowds as they paraded, and as the Championship judging played out. Judge for the day was Stewart Stronach of the highly noted Islavale Herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith, and he duly gave the Championship tap to Cade Fifi’s Nala who was expertly shown by the Cade’s daughter, Erin.
Speaking afterwards, Stewart Stronach said of his Champion: “This is just a tremendous heifer. Good in all the right places, she moves well, is easy fleshing, deep in the hip, wide and square, and has real show presence. She’s very much a modern Simmental with no extremes or hard muscling, and will go on to make a beautiful cow.”
Judge Stewart Stronach
Very much backing this judgement up on the show’s closing day, Cade Fifi’s Nala went on to win the Individual Continental Interbreed Championship, before taking the show’s blue riband award when winning the Individual Interbreed Overall Supreme title. For good measure, and a little extra icing on the cake, Cade Fifi’s Nala then joined up with the bull Popes Premier from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Preston; and Denizes Melody 52nd, and Denizes Melody 53rd from the Wacton Herd of RE & SHW Steggles, Honingham, Norfolk, to win the Team of Four Interbreed. Judging the interbreeds was the well-known Mary Reynolds, Hampshire.
The Interbreed awards reflected what was a high-quality Simmental English National Show with the judge Stewart Stronach congratulating all of the exhibitors for the standard of animals forward and noting that he had ‘seen Simmentals that I think will be some of the best in the UK today’!
Cade Fifi’s Nala is an ET calf by Sacombe Jameson and out of the noted Sterling Celia’s Fifi, who is owned in a three-way split by the Cades along with the Brandane herd of Jimmy McMillan and the Key herd of GD Key & Sons. Sterling Celia’s Fifi, bred by Boddington Estates, by Sterling Cotswold, and out of Sterling Delores Celia, is a past winner of the English National Show having lifted the title in 2017 at the Three Counties Show. Later that same year she was sold for 22,000gns, a then albeit briefly held Simmental female record, at the Boddington Estate Herd Dispersal Sale and to Harte Farms, Republic of Ireland. In 2021 the ‘herd consortium’ came together to buy Sterling Celia’s Fifi for 6200 Euros at the Harte’s online Dispersal Sale. The quality of Cade Fifi’s Nala suggests this was a knowledgeable and rewarding investment and Sharrie Cade was quick to thank and acknowledge Jimmy McMillan, and Simon Key for their part in ‘the journey with Sterling Celia’s Fifi’.
It was an emotional win for the Cades and from their Cade herd which was only established in 2017 and now comprises of some 25 breeding females and fifty head in all. Commenting afterwards, Sharrie Cade said: “It really has been quite overwhelming to win these prestigious titles against such strong competition, and it’s going to take a little time to sink in! Fifi’s Nala is stylish, modern, easy fleshed with good growth, and most importantly for us is very correct. She’s a very special heifer but she is typical of the type of animals that we are looking to breed.” The wins at the Royal Lancashire Show are the highest show achievements for the herd to date but with them also having bred the bull Cade Nugget who took the Male Championship at the 2023 Simmental English National Show and also the Interbreed Male Continental Champion at the same Royal Norfolk show, for Chris & Zara Curson’s Hollybrook herd.
With a host of titles behind her this year, Cade Fifi’s Nala has been part of Simmental winning Interbreed Teams and Groups at the Royal Norfolk, was breed champion at Herts Show and Reserve Continental Interbreed, and was Reserve Supreme Simmental at Suffolk, and Royal Norfolk Shows! Bringing two quality heifers to the show, another red ticket was secured when the January 2023 born Cade Kathleen’s Prada, also by Sacombe Jameson 18, won the fourth heifer class on the day.
Reserve Overall Champion Popes Princess Noor
Females were to the fore and taking the Reserve Overall Supreme, and Reserve Female title was Popes Princess Noor from well-known local breeders Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Preston, Lancashire. April 2022 born, Popes Princess Noor is an ET calf by the noted Team Celtic and is out of Popes Princess Hettie. This in-calf heifer (to Denizes Hamish) arrived at the Royal Lancashire having won the Simmental Supreme Championship at the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show. Commenting, Stewart Stronach said: “This is another tremendous Simmental heifer. She’s full of show presence, has a beautiful head, and carried herself extremely well.” A multi title winning animal, Popes Princess Noor was the Overall Junior, and Junior Female Champion at the 2023 Simmental English National Show, and is a half sister to the all-conquering 2022 Simmental English Show Champion, Popes Princess Lumi.
The quality kept on coming and winning the Male Championship, Junior Male, and Overall Junior, was the very stylish January 2023 born Simply Peter Pan from Robert & Louise Fitton, Moss Hall Farm, Lostock, Bolton, and another from the Red Rose County of Lancashire. This calf is by Ashland Magic and is out of Derrycallaghan Kitkat (ET). Of his Male Champion Stewart Stronach said: “Again a very modern Simmental, this bull is long and clean with a great turn of hip, and carried himself extremely well. He’s a bull with all the qualities to do both jobs as a breeder’s bull, and as a high-end commercial bull.” For the ten cow Simply herd who are ‘not regulars in the showring’, this was their highest show accolade to date and with it being the bull’s first time out. Commenting Robert Fitton said: “We really think this bull is the full package of looks, breeding, and figures. His sire was bought for length, colour, and figures, and his dam is a thick set cow. He’s clean with width and end, and no gut and carries a +9 figure for Maternal (Milk), and is +109 for Self-Replacing Index.” In a little footnote, all of the Simply animals registered in 2023 carry the name Peter within, in tribute to Robert’s dad, so a very fitting win.
Male Champion, Junior Male and Overall Junior Champion Simply Peter Pan 23
Lifting the Reserve Male Championship was the January 2023 born bull Popes Premier 23. Sired by Popes Lethal Weapon, Popes Premier 23 was shown through last summer as a calf at foot alongside his multi title winning mum, Popes Princess Immie. Premier’s grand dam is the herd’s famous, and much decorated cow, Popes Princess Cleo. In his own, Popes Premier 23 won the Simmental Pedigree Calf Championship and National Pedigree Calf Show Interbreed, at the English Winter Fair in November 2023. This year he won the Male Championship and Reserve Overall to his stablemate Popes Princess Noor, at the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show.
Reserve Male Champion Popes Premier
Back in the females and the Junior Female Champion and Reserve Junior Overall was Atlow Plume from David Donnelly, Atlow House, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. June 2023 born this was another ‘first timer’ in the show ring. Sired by Dermotstown King Kong (ET), Atlow Plume is out of Atlow Dora’s Jojo who goes back to Kilbride Farm Dora 34A EX94. The Atlow Herd has secured many show Championships over the years and speaking afterwards David Donnelly said this heifer was right up there with previous breeding: “Atlow Plume is one of the best heifers we have bred since Atlow Valentine who was an Overall Simmental and Interbreed Champion at the Royal Show in the early 2000’s.” From here the aim is that Atlow Plume will be entered, along with two other show heifers, to the Next Generation IV Simmental female Sale at Carlisle in December.
Junior Female Champion Atlow Plume
Another local breeder putting forward a mighty team of animals was MA Barlow & Sons from their noted Denizes herd. Enjoying a fine day the herd picked up four class winners (three in the bull classes) and four second prizes. The consistency and performance of the Denizes entries saw the herd pick up the Imex Award for the breeder winning most points across all of the classes.
Pair winners – Denizes Melody 53 & Denizes Melody 52
Group of Four
Judge Stewart Stronach with Overall Champion Cade Fifi’s Nala and Reserve Champion Popes Princess Noor with Iain Kerr from BSCS
Junior Championship
Simmental English National Show
(Held within Royal Lancashire Show)
Saturday 20th July 2024
Judge: Mr Stewart Stronach, Islavale Herd, Berryleys Farm, Keith
Results
Class S1a Heifer born on or after 1st April 2023
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Pearl
2nd A S Leedham Grangewood Jewel’s Princess
3rd David Donnelly Atlow Pippa
Popes Trixies Pearl
Class S2b Heifer born on or after 1st April 2023
1st David Donnelly Atlow Plume
2nd Barlow Brothers Denizes Matilda 15th
3rd Barlow Brothers Denizes Eunice 5th
4th Barlow Brothers Denizes Nelly 14th
Class S2c Heifer born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Matilda 16th
2nd Barlow Brothers Denizes Melody 58
3rd PM & R Fitton Simply Trixi Pixie
Denizes Matilda 16th
Class S2 Heifer, born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st PA & SM Cade Cade Kathleen’s Prada
2nd JH & VG Wood Popes Trixies Prudence
3rd R & L Storersmith Storersmith Puzzle
4th J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Perla
5th T & J Hassall Fishpool Poppy
Cade Kathleen’s Prada
Class S3 Heifer, Born on or between 1st August and 31st December 2022
1st PA & SM Cade Cade Fifi’s Nala
2nd RE & SHW Steggles Denizes Melody 53
3rd RE & SHW Steggles Denizes Melody 52
4th A S Leedham Grangewood Tollie’s Natalie
Class S4 Heifer, born on or between 1st April and 31st July 2022
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Princess Noor
2nd A S Leedham Grangewood Nicole
3rd Steven White Tirley Bluebelle
Class S9a Bull, born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Predator 23
2nd J H & V G Wood Popes Paxton 23
3rd RE & SHW Steggles Wacton Peroni 23
4th PM & R Fitton Simply Pete (Big) 23
Denizes Predator
Class S9b Bull, born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Passito 23 (P)
2nd Barlow Brothers Denizes Pablo 23
3rd Barlow Brothers Denizes Powerboy 23
4th Barlow Brothers Denizes Portobello 23
Denizes Passito
Class S9c Bull, born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Phantom 23
2nd Barlow Brothers Denizes Paparazzi 23
3rd RE & SHW Steggles Wacton Powerhouse 23
Denizes Phantom
Class S10 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st PM & R Fitton Simply Peter Pan 23
2nd J H & V G Wood Popes Premier 23
3rd J H & V G Wood Popes Power 23
Class S11 Bull born in 2022
1st R & L Storersmith Storersmith Navarone 22
Storersmith Navarone
Class S13 Pair of animals
1st RE & SHW Steggles
2nd A S Leedham
3rd JH & VG Wood
4th Barlow Brothers
S14 Group of four
1st JH & VG Wood
2nd RE & SHW Steggles
3rd Barlow Brothers
Overall Champion
Cade Fifi’s Nala PA & SM Cade
Reserve Overall Champion
Popes Princess Noor JH & VG Wood
Female Champion
Cade Fifi’s Nala PA & SM Cade
Reserve Female Champion
Popes Princess Noor JH & VG Wood
Junior Female Champion
Atlow Plume David Donnelly
Male Champion
Simply Peter Pan PM & R Fitton
Reserve Male Champion
Popes Premier 23 J H & V G Wood
Champion Junior Male
Simply Peter Pan PM & R Fitton
Junior Champion
Simply Peter Pan PM & R Fitton
by Iain | Apr 29, 2024 | 2024 Worcester Sales, 2024, 2024 Midlands News, 2024 News
- Bosahan bulls make 6000gns, & 5000gns
- Top three prices all heterozygous polled bulls
The September 2022 born Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) from Steve and Gill Gummow, Higher Killiworgie Farm, Newquay, Cornwall, sold for 7500gns to top the Worcester Simmental Sale held at McCartneys Livestock Market, Worcester, on Saturday 27th April.
Killiworgie North Star 7,500gns
This heterozygous polled bull is by Curaheen Gunshot (P) and is out of the Killiworgie Emperor daughter, Killiworgie Elderflowers Ivy EX92. Described as a bull with a super temperament, great locomotion, style, and excellent conformation, Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) carries a Maternal (Milk) figure of +11, and is +1.8 for Calving Ease daughters.
Purchasing the day’s top, and second top, prices was CM Mercer who were looking to introduce polled Simmental bulls to their well-known 300 cow pedigree and purebred Bowley herd at Bowley Court Farms, Hop-Under-Dinmore, Leominster, Herefordshire. Earlier in the day, Killiworgie North Star (P) had stood second in his class to the overall champion, under the judge Wayne Davies, Cwmbromley, Newtown, Powys.
Selling at 6000gns, also to the Bowley herd, was the October 2022 born heterozygous polled bull Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P), from John and Bridget Olds, Bosahan Farm, Falmouth, Cornwall. This bull who stood first prize in the second class of the day is by the herd stock bull Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and is out of Bosahan Isabella Bea EX 90, a Skerrington Armada daughter. Again with good figures, Nankervis carries EBVs predicting easy calving and fast-growing early finishing progeny.
Bosahan Nankervis 6,000gns
Standing second in his class to Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P), was his stablemate Bosahan Nightfall 22 (P). October 2022 born Bosahan Nightfall (P) is another by Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and is out of Bosahan Flirty Tresor EX 90, a Skerrington Armada daughter. With a little show track record behind him, Bosahan Nightfall (P) won the Senior Calf Continental Championship at the Cornwall Pedigree Calf Show in October last year at Wadebridge. Buying this bull for 5000gns was DW Price, Ackhill Farm, Presteigne, Powys. Commenting, Mr Price said: “This is a stylish bull that caught our eye. He’s very correct, and has good figures for easy calving and growth. This is the first Simmental bull we have purchased and he’ll be used in our herd of between 80-90 Saler cows which are mainly pure.”
Bosahan Nightfall 5,000gns
At 4000gns was Beanhill Nightrider 22 from Mr & Mrs RJ & BE Kimber, Beanhill Farm, Chippenham, Wiltshire. November 2022 born, this second prize bull is by the AI sire Ballinalare Farm Galaxy, and is out of Beanhill Isla. Purchasing this bull, who carried strong terminal production and self-replacing indexes, was Top Farm Ltd, Aston Somerville, Worcester.
In the show of females the Female Champion came from regular Worcester consignor Mr WJ Hollingsworth, Midhope Hall Farm, Sheffield, in the shape of Midhope Melinda. This October 2021 born heifer, scanned in calf to Corskie Nomb, is by Denizes Kingston 19, and is out of the Woodhall Everhart daughter, Midhope Kitty. Buying the top price female at 2900gns was Mr S & Mrs D Shapland, for their Brynsworthy pedigree herd at Brynsworthy Farm, Barnstaple, Devon. Commenting on his Female Champion the judge Wayne Davies said: “This was a powerful Simmental heifer that also had style and femininity, and was full of breed character. I’ve no doubt she’ll go on to make a top breeding female.”
Midhope Melinda 2,900gns
Mr Davies was back in the fray when he purchased Newton House Majesty the Reserve Female Champion, for 2800gns from JW Gosmore Partners, Newton House Farm, Tattenhall, Chester. November 2022 born this heifer is by the imported sire Lissadell Los Angeles, and is out of Leeherd Majesty 377, a Dermotstown G Mac daughter.
Wayne Davies, judge, in action
In the draft sale of females from the Dinton herd of Miss SV Francis, Homestead Farm, Warminster, Wiltshire, the five-year-old Dinton Kiwi 11th VG 88 made the top price of 2600gns when selling with her fourth calf at foot, the heifer Dinto Kiwi 16th (P). Dinton Kiwi 11th VG 88 is by Coose Gambler (P), and is out of Dinton Kiwi 7 VG 89. Her calf Kiwi 16th (P), is by the homozygous polled bull Amadeus. Buying this outfit, and one of five purchases on the day, was RG Elliott & Son, Noborough Lodge, Norton, Brockhall, Northants.
AVERAGES
5 Bulls £5250 (+£551)
7 Females £2640
9 Females (Dinton) £1703
WORCESTER SIMMENTAL PRE-SALE SHOW RESULTS
Saturday 27th April 2024
Judge: Mr Wayne Davies, Cwmbromley, Sarn, Newtown, Powys
Class 1
1st: Lot 3 – John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – DoB 05/03/22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
2nd: Lot 7 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie North Star 22 (P) – DoB 18/09/22 – s. Curaheen Gunshot (P)
3rd: Lot 6 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Napoleon 22 – DoB 22/07/22 – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
4th: Lot 5 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Nero 22 – DoB 29.04.22 – s. Delfur Chas 11
Class 2
1st: Lot 13 – P J, B & DJ Olds – Bosahan Nankervis 22 (P) – DoB 22/10/22 – s. Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P)
2nd: Lot 12 – P J, B & DJ Olds – Bosahan Nightfall 22 (P) – DoB 20/10/22 – s. Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P)
3rd: Lot 10 – Messrs A E & C Bishop – Lynfield Neptune 22 – DoB 17/10/22 – s. Sterling Gino
4th: Lot 14 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Nijinsky 22 – DoB 25/10/22 – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
5th: Lot 9 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Newlyn 22 – DoB 11/10/22 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
6th: Lot 8 – Mr & Mrs R J & B E Kimber – Beanhill Noah 22 – DoB 10/10/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
Class 3
1st: Lot 17 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – DoB 16/12/22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
2nd: Lot 16 – Mr & Mrs R J & B E Kimber – Beanhill Nightrider 22– DoB 13/11/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
3rd: Lot 15 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Newton – DoB 03/11/22 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
4th: Lot 19 – R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Providence – DoB 23/01/23 – s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15
5th: Lot 20 – Mr K J C Thomas – Crowgey Praetorian 23 – DoB 11/02/23 – s. Mullyknock Gallant 15
Class 4
1st: Lot 23 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Melinda – DoB 13/10/21 – s. Denizes Kingston 19
2nd: Lot 21 – Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Margo Cream – DoB 07/09/21 – s. Delfur Chas 11
3rd: Lot 26 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Krystals Magic – DoB 07/12/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
4th: Lot 25 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Molly May – DoB 25/11/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
5th: Lot 24 – Mr S A Gummow – Killiworgie Islas Mia – DoB 28/10/21 – s. Islavale Jerico 18
Class 5
1st: Lot 27 – J W Gosmore Partners – Newton House Majesty – DoB 21/11/22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Female Champion
Mr W J Hollingsworth – Midhope Melinda – s. Denizes Kingston 19
Reserve Female Champion
J W Gosmore Partners – Newton House Majesty – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Male Champion
John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Reserve Male Champion
R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
Overall Champion
John Gosmore Partners – Newton House Ninja 22 – s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Reserve Overall Champion
R & L Storer Smith – Storersmith Navarone 22 – s. Clonagh Latin Lover
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