Simply Peter Pan sold to the Wacton herd of RE & SHW Steggles
Strathisla Pentagon joins the Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons
The importance of the show circuit as a ‘shop window’ for breeders to promote top quality cattle has again been highlighted with the news that two high achieving Simmental bulls through the 2024 summer have been sold in respective private deals.
At the 2024 Simmental English National Show, held within the Royal Lancashire Show, the January 2023 born Simply Peter Pan from Robert, Louise, & Margaret Fitton, Moss Hall Farm, Lostock, Bolton, won the Male Championship, Junior Male, and Overall Junior titles in front of the judge Stewart Stronach of the Islavale Herd in Keith, Banffshire. Seeing this stylish bull at first hand was fellow exhibitor Sam Steggles of the Wacton herd, Fieldings, Honingham, and further to family chats, and discussions, a deal was done with him being sold for £11,000 and joining the Wacton team when heading back to Norfolk following the show!
Simply Peter Pan 23 – Male Champion, Junior Male and Overall Junior Champion, English National Show 2024
Commenting, Sam Steggles said: “We hadn’t gone to the show with the view of buying a bull but we saw Simply Peter Pan being unloaded at the Royal Lancashire and just liked him a lot straight away. He’s a modern Simmental bull with length and shape, very clean, is good on his legs, and has a lot of breed character. There’s proven breeding behind him and he’s got very good performance figures. We’re delighted to get him and excited to see his progeny in due course.” Joining the 50 head Wacton herd, the initial aim is to take some semen from the bull before putting him to a handful of cows in the backend, and with him put to more cows come next Spring having settled in.
Full of Northern Irish breeding, Simply Peter Pan is by Ashland Magic and is out of Derrycallaghan Kitkat (ET) who was bought at three months of age from breeders H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh, Ballindarragh. Kitkat herself was Junior Champion at the Simmental Calf Show in 2019 at Borderway Agri Expo, and with her dam Corskie Vesna being a top breeding female with many of her progeny being sold at Stirling bull sales.
For the ten cow Simply herd it was a terrific couple of days with the Simmental English National Show prizes being the ten-cow herd’s highest awards to date, and followed by a private sale to a pedigree herd. Speaking afterwards Rob Fitton said: “In the run up to, and through the show, we said that we thought this bull is the full package of looks, breeding, and performance. His sire was bought for length, colour, and figures, and his dam is a thick set cow. He’s clean with width, end, and no gut, carries a +9 figure for Maternal (Milk), and is +109 for Self-Replacing Index.” Continuing he went on to say: “We’re over the moon that Simply Peter Pan is going to Sam and his noted Wacton pedigree herd. When a pedigree man comes and buys an animal that you have bred it’s just great and there’s a little added bonus as you know that his name will appear on certificates for years to come. We wish the Steggles family every success with him.”
Come the autumn and Rob Fitton will be taking two half-brothers of Simply Peter Pan to the Stirling Simmental Bull Sale in October.
The second private sale has seen Strathisla Pentagon, from Strathisla Farms, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, head south when selling to the Denizes Herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Near Leyland, Lancashire, and this time for £10,000.
Strathisla Pentagon at the Royal Highland Show 2024
This April 2023 born bull stood first in a strong class at the Royal Highland Show when judged by Michael Durno of the Auchorachan Herd, Glenlivet Ballindalloch. With some breeding connectivity, Strathisla Pentagon is by Denizes Logic 20 VG89, and is out of the Dirnanean Grafter 15 EX93 daughter Strathisla Jitterbug’s Haka VG85.
Commenting on this purchase, John Barlow said: “This bull just caught my eye for the tremendous length he had coupled with his power and weight for age. His sire comes from a strong female line that we obviously know very well, and he’s got some tremendous performance figures behind him. We think he’ll be a good fit with daughters of our primary stock bull Corskie Nutmeg, and we’ve already used him on Denizes Hamish heifers.” Corskie Nutmeg was also purchased privately, following last year’s Royal Highland, for £32,000.
With exceptional performance figures, Strathisla Pentagon is in the breed’s top 1% for both Self Replacing and Terminal Production Indexes, the top 1% for 400 & 600 day growth, top 1% for Eye Muscle, and is +9 for Maternal (Milk).
This is the second Denizes Logic 20 bull that the Strathisla herd have sold privately recently and with a further seven sons, the first crop to be offered at sale, heading to Stirling in October. Of Denizes Logic 20 and this private sale, Strathisla Farm’s Adrian Ivory said: “We’re delighted with Denizes Logic 20 and he’s breeding very consistently and to a type. His progeny have length, shape, are easy fleshing, and with great daily live weight gains from birth. We’re really delighted with the sale of Strathisla Pentagon to a noted herd like Denizes.”
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.
Judge Stewart Stronach with Overall Champion Cade Fifi’s Nala and Reserve Champion Popes Princess Noor with Iain Kerr from BSCSJunior 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 23J H & V G Wood
Champion Junior Male Simply Peter Pan PM & R Fitton
The April 2022 born in-calf heifer Popes Princess Noor from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Preston, Lancashire swept all before her to lift the 2024 Simmental Supreme Championship on day one of the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate on Wednesday 10th July.
Supreme Champion Popes Princess Noor
From a small but quality entry of Simmentals, Popes Princess Noor first of all picked up the Female Championship before going head to head with her stablemate and Male Champion on the day, Popes Premier 23, to secure the Championship tap out. Judge for the day was John Barlow of the noted Denizes herd at Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire.
No stranger to the show ring, Popes Princess Noor last year, amongst a host of titles, won the Simmental Overall Junior Championship at the English National Show (within the Royal Norfolk), and was Junior Female Champion at the Scottish Simmental National Show (held within Dumfries Show).
Judge John Barlow
With a connectivity in breeding, Popes Princess Noor is by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie making her a full sister to the herd’s 2022 Great Yorkshire Champion, and English National Show Champion Popes Princess Lumi, and a half sister to the 2023 Great Yorkshire Show Individual Interbreed Champion, and multi title winner, Popes Princess Immie!
Popes Princess Noor is in-calf to the noted AI sire Denizes Hamish.
Reserve Supreme Champion Popes Premier
Taking the Reserve Overall Supreme, and 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, the aforementioned Popes Princess Immie. Premier’s grand dam is the herd’s famous, and much decorated cow, Popes Princess Cleo. In his own right, Popes Premier 23 won the Simmental Pedigree Calf Championship before moving on to win the National Pedigree Calf Show Interbreed, a first for the Simmental breed, at the English Winter Fair in November 2023.
Overall Champion & Reserve
CLASS 60 Bull born before 1 January 2023
1st Fircovert Nigel, Mr P Gunther
Fircovert Nigel
CLASS 61 Bull born on or after 1 January 2023
1st Popes Premier 23, Messrs JH & VG Wood
2nd Fircovert Peacock, Mr P Gunther
3rd Fircovert Panther, Mr P Gunther
4th Allsaints Phoenix, Mrs S Germany
CLASS 63 Heifer born in 2022
1st Popes Princess Noor, Messrs JH & VG Wood
2nd Williams Fluffys Nellie, Mrs S Germany
3rd Lynfield Precious, Mr G Scrivens
4th Maidenlands Polarine 4 (P), Mr D Saunders
CLASS 64 Heifer born in 2023
1st Popes Trixies Pearl, Messrs JH & VG Wood
2nd Clonagh Regal Fortune, Mr C Croft
3rd Popes Trixies Prudence, Messrs JH & VG Wood
4th Maidenlands Polarine 4 P, Mr D Saunders
5th O’so’good Sarah’s Paisley, Nichola Osgood & Robert Tremayne
6th Maidenlands Polarine 5 P, Mr D Saunders
Grangewood New Hope 22 from Andrew & Yvonne Leedham, Rowan Farm, Pickering, North Yorkshire sold for 7,200gns to lead a solid Simmental Sale at H&H’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Saturday, 11th May.
Grangewood New Hope 7,200gns
August 2022 born, Grangewood New Hope is by the herd sire Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 (ET), and is out of the Dinton Nautical daughter Grangewood Jackie. Combining length and muscle with top figures, this bull was +10 for Maternal Milk, and with breed top 5% and 10% Terminal Production and Self Replacing Indexes. Purchasing this bull, who had stood second in his class to the Reserve Overall Champion, was JC Innes & Sons who run the Strathbogie herd, along with a suckler herd of some 800 cows, at Dunscroft Farm, Huntly Aberdeenshire.
In a good day’s trading the Leedhams sold three bulls with a depth of pedigree and performance figures, all sired by Ranfurly Impeccable who was purchased for 8500gns at Stirling in 2018, to make 7,200gns; 5,000gns; and 4,000gns respectively.
Across the sale 19 bulls sold to average £4,603, with 36 Simm X High Health bulling heifers averaging £2021, and a small entry of pedigree heifers topping at 3,000gns. 57 lots sold in all to gross £165,988. Commenting on the sale, BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr said “We’re seeing a strong and increasing demand for Simmental genetics, bulls and females, from commercial producers across the UK and this is being reflected at the Society’s pedigree sales. This sale fixture at Carlisle continues to grow and we’re really pleased to see 19 bulls sell across the UK, up by seven on the year, and to buyers from Orkney right down to Hampshire. The addition of the Simm X High Health heifers for the second year is proving to be popular and met with an increased average which is great to see.”
Popes Picasso 7,000gns
Selling at 7,000gns was Popes Picasso 23 from the well-known pedigree herd of Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston. This bull, a heifer’s calf, is the first offered at sale by the €52,000 Euro Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Popes Princess Kiki, a daughter of the herd’s renowned show cow Popes Princess Cleo. Again, a bull with good growth figures, and +12 for Maternal (Milk), this ‘stylish young bull with length and shape’ was bought by local commercial producer Irving Pearson, for his 120 cow suckler herd of mainly pure Simmental, and Blue cross Simmental cows, at Manor Farm, Blencow, Penrith. Earlier in the day Popes Picasso 23 had been placed Overall Supreme Champion in the pre-sale show judged by Bruce Lambie of the noted Fallhills herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. Commenting on his Champion Bruce Lambie said “This was a tremendous young Simmental bull, with all of the potential to be a fantastic stock sire in both pedigree or commercial herd. He was a very modern type, clean through the middle, very correct on good feet and legs, and had a great top line. A very worthy Champion who I’m sure will go on and do well.”
Auchorachan Newbie 6,000gns
Jim and Patricia Goldie who run the Newbiemains herd at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire purchased to bulls on the day at 6,000gns and 5,000gns. The first of these at 6000gns was Auchorachan Newbie 22 from D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Sired by the 9,000gns Greencap Kane 19 EX91, this September 2022 born bull is out of Auchorachan Gipsy EX 92 who has previously bred bulls to 9,000gns twice. With figures to go with the breeding, Auchorachan Newbie 22 is in the breed’s top 1% for both Terminal Sire, and Self Replacing Indexes. Another Greencap Kane son, Auchorachan Ninja 22, a first prize winner, made 4,000gns when selling to TJ & MB Smithson, Poplar Farm, Stamford Bridge, North Yorkshire.
Grangewood Paddington 5,000gns
Selling at 5,000gns, the Goldies also purchased another from the Leedham family’s pen in the shape of the January 2023 born Grangewood Paddington (TM). Another by Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 (ET), this calf is out of Grangewood Tollie’s Hope EX 93, a full sister to the 19,000gns Grangewood Baron, and whose sons have averaged 7,250gns to date. A theme of the day was bulls selling well with a depth of pedigree and performance figures, and Grangewood Paddington (TM) continued this trend with him carrying a +11 figure for Maternal (Milk).
Commenting afterwards Jim Goldie said of his two purchases: “We came to the sale looking for a bull, and a second if possible, for our pedigree herd that’s now at 150 cows. We had previously purchased a half-brother to Auchorachan Newbie (Auchorachan Kennedy 19) and have been really pleased with how good his progeny are. He’s also from a line of three cows that are all classified EX 92 and that’s a big bonus for us. The Grangewood bull was a lovely standout, stylish bull with good feet and legs, and walked well. Again, his sire is well bred and classified EX94. Two good bulls and we are pleased to have bought them.”
Newbiemains New Moon 5,000gns
Recouping some of their outlay, the Goldies themselves sold Newbiemains New Moon 22 for 5,000gns to DF Crew, Gall Farm, Lockerbie. In the pre-sale show this upstanding July 2022 born bull had placed first in his class and was Overall Reserve Champion. Sired by Carbery Lightening EX 91, Newbiemains New Moon 22 is out of Newbiemains Eclypse EX 90. Later in the sale Newbiemains Nailer 22, a Skerrington Iceman 17 EX 95 son was sold for 4000gns to Thwaites & Co, Thorney Croft, Newby, Penrith.
Enjoying another solid sale at Carlisle was the Scotland Hill herd of Tom Hill & Ruby Wright, Mill Farm, Wadworth, Doncaster who sold two bulls at the 4,800gns mark. Up first was the September 2022 born Scotland Hill North Star 22. Sired by the imported bull Clonagh King Eyes (ET), and out of Scotland Hill Emily Jilly, this bull went to Hampshire when selling to Clachanton & Poundland Partners, The Estate Office, Stratford Saye. At the same 4,800gns mark was the October 2022 born Scotland Hill Niagra 22. Another son of Clonagh King Eyes (ET), and out of Scotland Hill Westeria Freya, this bull was one of two purchases by well known Orkney buyer Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness.
Leading the small offering of pedigree females was the Tilbrook Netty from Peter Burgess, High Keenley Fell Farm, Hexham who made 3,000gns when selling to Derbyshire and the Dovefields pedigree herd of L Renshaw & I Brassington, The Old Myers, Church Broughton. Sired by the AI sire Clonagh Latin Lover, this December 2022 born maiden heifer is out of Tilbrook Honey.
A feature of the sale was the Simm X High Health Sale of bulling heifers that saw 36 sell to average a very healthy £2,020. Leading the way in this section with a pair of Simm Luing heifers at £2,450, and a further pair at £2,400 was Angus Freeman, Town End Farm, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria. Fourteen to fifteen months old, a selection of these heifers had caught much attention on the Society’s promotional stand at the NBA’s 2024 Beef Expo at North West Auctions Jct 36. The top price heifers at Carlisle on Saturday were purchased by AJ & L Birkett, Birk Howe Farm, Ambleside, Cumbria. Selling at £2300 was a pair of ¾ Simmental X heifers from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, and which were purchased by Rutter Farm, Burradon Mains, Morpeth. Other same way bred Backmuir heifers sold for £2,250 to the same buyer.
Overall & Male Champions
Judge Bruce Lambie
AVERAGES
19 Bulls £4603.42
2 Heifers £2887.50
36 High Health Heifers £2020.83
• £6720 (+£892) sets a new Simmental record average for Stirling May Sale
• 22,000gns a new Simmental record for the May Stirling Sale
• 96% clearance rate with 24 out of 25 bulls selling
Denizes New Orleans, from MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Leyland, sold for 22,000gns, to a commercial buyer, to lead a strong demand for Simmental bulls at the Stirling May Sale held at United Auctions Stirling Agricultural Centre today, Monday 6th May.
Denizes New Orleans 22,000gns
The 22,000gns led the all-breeds trade at this multibreed sale, and set a new Simmental record top price at this May fixture when eclipsing the 16,000gns mark set just last year. Records tumbled on the day with the £6720 average for the bulls sold being a new record Simmental mark for this May fixture, smashing last year’s record figure by £892. 22 out of 25 bulls forward sold in the ring with two further bulls sold post sale to give an overall clearance of 96%.
October 2022 born, Denizes New Orleans, a heifer’s calf and a first prize winner in the pre-sale show, is by the prolific Denizes Hamish and out of the Blackford Galaxy daughter Denizes Melody 39th. Purchasing the top price bull, who carried strong performance figures and a depth of breeding, was commercial producer Alan Wright who runs 70 Simmental females, 15/16ths bred towards pure, in a closed herd at St Mungos Farm, West Lundie, Argaty, Doune. Speaking after the sale Mr Wright said: “This is just a tremendous Simmental bull with the muscle and length that we look for. He’s got a great depth of breeding on both sides of his pedigree and we like Denizes Hamish in himself and the progeny he’s consistently breeding and being brought forward to sale.” Of the 22,000gns price Mr Wright went on to say: “When you see a bull of this quality then you have to try and buy him! If you look at the price of the first ten heifers a bull like this will breed that’s how we look to value him. In 2017 we paid 18,000gns for Manor Park Hayden, and he’s a similar bull to the eye that’s bred really well for us and really retained his muscle. Denizes New Orleans is home, settled in really well, and we’re delighted to have him.”
From their 70 females the Wrights sell bulling heifers privately with bullocks going fat to both ABP and Dunbia. The 22,000gns figure is also believed to be the top price to date for a Simmental bull sold to a commercial producer.
It’s been a remarkable start to the sale year for the prolific Denizes herd who in February sold the Denizes Hamish son, Denizes Nugget, for 37,000gns with five Hamish sons in all grossing £88,200 to average a mighty £17,640. In October this year the Denizes herd will be holding a production sale at Stirling of some 50 head.
Braidwood Nero 8,500gns
Taking the second top price of 8500gns was Braidwood Nero 22 (P) from Ms L J Moffat of Innerwick Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar. In the pre-sale show judged by Jonny Hazelton of the noted Ranfurly herd, Colhannon House, Dungannon, this August 2022 born bull has stood Reserve Overall Champion. Sired by Wolfstar Jimmy Choo and out of the German Promi daughter Braidwood Freckles, this bull went to Douganhill Farms, Palnackie, Castle Douglas. Douganhill Farms run a beef and sheep enterprise, consisting of 200 Spring calving cows plus heifers and 70 autumn calving cows. The cows are a mixture of Limousin X and Simmental X South Devon, with Simmental bulls used breed herd replacements. Commenting on their purchase, David MacTaggart said: “I liked Nero’s, length, power, milk figures, ease of calving and an added bonus is that he is Polled. The plan from here is that Nero will be being going out to cows in June for next year’s spring calving and also again in October for next year’s autumn calving.”
Braegarrie Northern Light 8,000gns
At 8000gns was Braegarrie Northern Light 22 from DL & S Currie, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan. November 2022 born, this bull is sired by Overhill House Link, and is out of Braegarrie Jenna, a Keeldrum Geronimo daughter. Northern Light, who carried good Calving Ease Direct figures, sold to Gartincaber Farms, Auchmar, Drymen.
Islavale Niko 7,000gns
Islavale Norse 6,000gns
Bringing another strong line up of five Simmental bulls to Stirling was the Islavale herd of Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banff. Their leading sale price was the 7000gns paid for the October 2022 born Islavale Niko 22. This calf is sired by Coose Lincoln (ET) EX 90, and is out of Islavale Freda EX 91. With the highest Maternal (Milk) figure in the catalogue of +15, in the breed’s top 1%, Islavale Niko 22 was bought by Mountquhanie Farms, By Cupar, Fife. Other Islavale bulls on the day made 6000gns x2; 5000gns; and 4800gns to gross £30,240 and average £6048. At the 6000gns mark was the pre-sale show Overall Champion Islavale Norse 22, a Shacon Hannibal son who sold to Orkney when being purchased by Vestrafiold Farm Ltd, Vestrafiold House, Sandwick, Orkney.
Jonny Hazelton, judge
Also at the 7000gns mark was the homozygous polled bull Kilbride Farm Nemo 22 (PP) (TM), from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. By the imported bull Flop Agrochyt, whose first son at sale sold for 11,000gns in February, Kilbride Farm Nemo 22 (PP) (TM) is out of Kilbride Farm Fanni 71K (PP). With a top 1% Calving Ease Direct figure of +9.2, this bull went to the Borders when selling to T Tennant, Gilmanscleugh, Ettrick, Selkirk.
Kilbride Farm Nemo 7,000gns
Three bulls made 6500gns. The first of these was the stylish Broombrae Norseman N18 22 (P), from Messrs Gordon L Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife, who stood second in his class to the Overall Reserve Champion. September 2022 born, this heterozygous polled bull is by the imported Egebjerggards Pesto, and is out of Broombrae Delight J5, a Corskie Elgin J5 daughter. Purchasing this bull was the Firm of Spence, Balgassie Farm, Aberlemno, Forfar. This latest sale followed hard on the heels of February where the Broombrae herd sold a bull for 11,000gns and to an Australian purchaser. The second and final part of the Broombrae Herd Dispersal will be held at Stirling in October.
Broombrae Norseman 6,500gns
Also at the 65000gns mark was Delfur Nemesis 22 from Delfur Farms, Dundurcas Farm House, Aberlour. Sired by Innerwick Ivor 17 and out of Delfur Weigela D101, Nemesis 22 was described as ‘a young bull with great length and style.’ Buying this bull was AJ Stephen, Hatton Cottage, Dallas, Forres, Morayshire.
Delfur Nemesis 6,500gns
A strong sale right to the end, the final 6500gns call came for the last bull in the sale in the shape of Overhill House Patrick 23 from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. January 2023 born this bull is by Corskie Lambe 20, and is out of Overhill House Italia. In November last year as a young calf, Overhill House Patrick 23 had stood as Reserve Junior Male Champion at the Stars of the Future Calf Show. Purchasing this bull, who carried a top 5% breed figure of +11 for Maternal (Milk), was Glenure Estate Limited, Glasdrum, Fasnacloich, Appin, Argyll.
Overhill House Patrick 6,500gns
AVERAGES
22 Bulls £6720 (+£892)
OTHER LEADING BULL PRICES INCLUDED:
6,000gns Lot 426 Delfur Nightrider sold to T Walker, Newton of Mountblairy, Eden, Banff
6,000gns Lot 444 Islavale Norse sold to Vestrafiold Farm Ltd, Vestrafiold House, Sandwick, Orkney
6,000gns Lot 445 Islavale Neville 2 sold to R&D Farquar, Tewel Farm, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire
5,500gns Lot 425 Pitgaveny Northstar sold to G & A Milne, Standingstones, Durris, Banchory
5,500gns Lot 430 Islavale Nickel sold to GT & S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney
5,000gns Lot 416 Boswell Ninja sold to WB & AD Robertson, Balneathill Farm, Kinnesswood, Kinross
5,000gns Lot 418 Tillyeve Noah sold to MJ & C Hutchinson, Falahill Farm, Heriot
5,000gns Lot 450 Colfield Nitro sold to J Pate & Partners, Helmburn, Ettrick Bridge, Selkirk
5,000gns Lot 453 Overhill House Pilot sold to J Pate & Partners, Nettlingflat Farm, Heriot, Midlothian
With a firm eye to the future and the role the Simmental breed has to play, here we feature the Lancashire based Wood family with their high profile 50-cow Popes pedigree herd, and their fresh meat wholesale business, Bowland Foods.
Factfile: Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston
400 acres grassland 150 pedigree Beltex and Texel ewes 50 pedigree Simmental breeding cows plus replacements 2.75 years age at first calving 90% + calves reared 9 to 10 calf crops
Whilst Simmental has a distinguished past, the breed has an even bigger job lined up for the future, says Vikki Wood. “An increasing number of commercial producers are becoming aware that Simmental will introduce more milk and subsequently faster growth to a suckler herd; that’s massive and there’s no other breed which can achieve that.
“In fact, Simmental bred cattle have been proven* to be the most efficient in terms of reduced days to slaughter and reduced finishing costs which can only mean one thing – more profit and in turn, a more efficient and sustainable enterprise with a lower carbon footprint,” she explains. “That’s not all, modern Simmental genetics are leaving easy fleshed cattle producing high quality beef.”
Vikki speaks from experience, not only from farming with her husband, Jimmy and managing the noted Lancashire based Popes pedigree Simmental herd but also sharing with him a combined eight decades of procuring cattle for their fresh meat wholesale business, Bowland Foods. The businesses are very much a family affair, with their son Harry 30 years, and daughter Hannah 26, involved in both.
“We instinctively know which live cattle when hung up will meet will fulfil our customers’ requirements, and Simmental genetics have a role to play.”
Since the Woods established their wholesale meat businesses in 1994, it has grown exponentially to currently employ an 80 strong team weekly sourcing up to 450 cattle, 800 pigs and 1,000 lambs to supply independent butchers shops, catering butchers and other outlets with carcases and a complete range of cuts. Killing is off site, while the family’s Preston based operation is currently expanding its cutting room capacity. “Regardless of the trends towards reduced meat in the diet, demand for quality meat is on the up as far as we’re concerned,” she says.
Turning the clock back to the 1980s, and the Woods were also starting their farming career from scratch with a beef finishing enterprise supplying Bowland Foods.
“We decided we would like to establish a pedigree herd that would offer downtime, one that we could enjoy, and get some pleasure out of.
“As finishers, we’d had experience of most Continental breeds; Simmental became our first choice, it was the breed that was the most affable. Since I was responsible for the farm’s day-to-day management, the Simmental’s quiet temperament was the biggest deciding factor.” The couple established the Popes herd in 1988, and the rest is history.
“We were lucky to get the opportunity to invest in strong female lines at a few dispersal sales,” she explains. “Cloford, Greenside, Misarden, Sterling, Tintoside and Revlex provided some of the foundation genetics with Tintoside Nellys Wonder leaving the biggest influence with up to 50% of the current herd descending from her.
“We’ve since continued to focus on selecting female traits – milk and calving ease supported by EBVs, while our cattle have to demonstrate good locomotion, growth and easy fleshing, something to catch the eye and proven from a good strong cow family. We’ve accelerated genetic progress by introducing some of our leading brood females to a flushing programme.
“We quite simply want to breed the best and make sure we’re able to supply other herds with the right genetics to fit their jigsaw. Bulls sold through the ring or at home go off to do a job in both pedigree and commercial herds, and we currently have three standing at Cogent stud. Females have to be correct to produce the next generation for us and for other pedigree herds,” she says adding: “We’re always looking to renew and refresh the herd’s genetics with a different line.”
The Woods kept their word digging deep last year to invest 32,000gns in Heathbrow Natasha, an 18-month-old maiden heifer. The price tag was a new female breed record. “We’d been following her success in the show ring which culminated in the reserve junior championship at the Great Yorkshire. We considered she had everything we would look for in a female. She was a striking, fleshy well-balanced heifer and full of femininity,” says Jimmy.
To the future, and Simmental is guaranteed to have a firm future at Popes Farm after Hannah invested 9,000gns at the same dispersal in Heathbrow Melody, an in-calf heifer. “I’m establishing my own herd and Melody is my foundation female which I selected for her breeding; she is half-sister to Natasha and I am hoping that she will breed as well as her mother.
“My overall objective is to establish a polled herd,” she says. “The demand for polled cattle is ever increasing due to easier management and welfare issues. I plan to offer animals to supply that growing commercial and pedigree demand.”
“Simmental has proved for over three decades to be a great breed to work, it’s introduced us to a lot of people and we’ve made some good friends located throughout the UK and beyond. While we like to have a nice field of cows, the herd has had a very successful show career and we’ve loved every minute of it.”
Popes has amassed countless red rosettes and ribbons and a glittering array of silverware. Acknowledging its most outstanding accolades and the Woods say top of the league table has to be Stirling where it has headed the junior, intermediate and senior sections before going on to secure the overall championship.
The herd has also lifted the interbreed at both the Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh along with reserve interbreed beef at the Royal, while in 2023 Popes Princess Immie secured both the breed’s English and Scottish National championships. “There’s only one major title we’ve yet to crack and that’s the Royal Highland, and we’re going to give it our best shot,” says Vikki.
*AHDB National Beef Evaluations based on records from over three million animals slaughtered during the last 10 years.
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