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.
• 95 bulls set new February record average of £7498 (+£238) • 21 bulls sell for 10,000gns and over, with 53 in all at 6000gns and more • 5 Denizes bulls average £17,640 • Broombrae bull sells to Australian buyer • 11 bulls sell to Orkney • Clearance rate of 77% • Bull Sale grosses £712,310
Denzies Nugget 37,000gns
The June 2022 born Denizes Nugget from M A Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, sold for 37,000gns to lead what was another record trade for the Simmental breed at the Stirling Bull Sale held at United Auctions, on Monday 19th February 2024.
No fewer than 21 bulls sold at five-figure prices with 95 in all cashing in at £7498, up £238 on last year’s record mark.
In what was a remarkable day’s trading for them, the eye-catching quality team of five Denizes bulls, all by the homebred stock sire Denizes Hamish, grossed £88,200 to average an incredible £17,640. Denizes Nugget is out of Ashland Topaz Janet, whose maternal sister is the highly-noted Ashland Topaz Lopez. At the pre-sale show, judged by Stuart Barclay of the noted Harestone prefix, Insch, Aberdeenshire, Nugget was one of three Denizes bulls to claim red tickets before moving on to win the day’s Reserve Intermediate Championship.
Come the much-anticipated sale time, and in front of a packed ring, Denizes Nugget reached the 37,000gns mark before being knocked down to Jimmy & Vikki Wood for their high-profile Popes herd at Dutton, Preston, Lancashire. Speaking afterwards Vikki Wood said: “This bull had a bit of everything. When he walked into the ring he just had that presence, character and bounce that caught your eye. He’s a long, clean, well grown bull with plenty of style, who walked well and is not overdone. There’s still plenty for him to grow into and we think he’s a bull with a lot of future in him. With the bull in himself, the depth of proven breeding behind him, and some tremendous performance figures across the board, we’re excited to see how he gels with our females”. The 37,000gns is the top price the Woods have paid to date for a bull at auction in the UK and Vikki went on to say: “The bull has the full package and you have to pay for quality to hopefully take that next step with the herd in breeding top quality females and bulls as well. Nugget will be put to some heifers within the next few weeks and thereafter will be given the chance of some cow.” The Popes herd presently comprises of 60 breeding females.
Over the three days of the sale the Denizes pen of five bulls drew huge attention from both commercial producers and pedigree breeders. Come sale time the 37,000gns top price was accompanied by further prices of 14,000gns; 13,000gns; 12,000gns; and 8000gns to add up to the herd’s most successful sale to date. The top price also eclipsed the herd’s leading sale price of 30,000gns achieved for Denizes Lancelot in February 2022. Speaking afterwards John Barlow said: “The aim of the Denizes herd is to breed first quality bulls with an easy muscling, that have width over the plates, walk well, have good heads and breed character, and are backed up with breeding, figures and health status. We’re trying to tick as many boxes for commercial producers as possible and it was great to see two bulls at 14,000gns and 12,000gns go commercially today. To breed a bull like Denizes Nugget for 37,000gns, and for him to be bought by a top pedigree herd, is just a real bonus on top. We wish the Wood family well with Nugget and really look forward to seeing his progeny in due course.”
Wolfstar Nobleman 17,000gns
Alex and Ross King’s Wolfstar herd from Ormiston, Tranent, East Lothian also enjoyed a top day when selling three bulls to average a fantastic £14,700. Leading the way for them was Wolfstar Nobleman who sold for 17,000gns, the second top price of the day, to Tom Lyth, Heatherhouse, Tankerness, Orkney. May 2022 born, Wolfstar Nobleman, the first prize winner in class six, is an embryo calf sired by Curaheen Bandit and out of the top breeding female Wolfstar Forget-Me-Not whose previous progeny include the 17,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo; Wolfstar Kolisi who sold to Cogent, and the retained stockbull Wolfstar Ivan.
Tom Lyth moved from Lancashire to Orkney some six years ago to ‘follow his dream’ of buying his own farm. At present he has a total of 100 Luing cows which he splits equally between Simmental bulls and purebred Luing bulls. On a recent visit to Wolfstar, he was shown the bulls heading to Stirling and immediately picked out Nobleman as being one to keep an eye on. Commenting he said: “I really liked his breeding but he’s a bonny bull, very well put together, and just the type that I like”. From here Tom hopes to take some semen from Wolfstar Nobleman and with him given some work thereafter. With a pedigree herd being established Tom’s aim is that Nobleman will be joined by some Simmental heifers in the very near future! Orkney buyers again featured prominently throughout the sale with eleven bulls in all heading back to the islands.
Wolfstar Nasa 14,000gns
The Reserve Junior Champion, from the same home, Wolfstar Nasa, made 14,000gns when selling to Pitgaveny Farm, Elgin. Nasa is sired by the privately purchased Islavale Guy and is out of Wolfstar Ivy, another Team Celtic-sired cow. Winner of the last class of the day, this November 2022 born bull will be used across both commercial and pedigree cows with Pitgaveny running 170 Simmental commercial cows, spring and autumn calvers, and ten pedigree females. Speaking of his purchase the herd manager Geoff Anderson said: “I saw this bull at the inspection and watched him again through the judging and just really liked him. He’s a bull with style, depth, and great width to him, has proven breeding on both sides, and carries top figures for milk at +13.”
Building on what has been a strong run of sales and commercial demand for Simmental bulls and females, the sale saw 95 bulls in all sell for £7498 (+£238) and a new breed record average for February Stirling Sales. This latest sale was the seventh in a row at Stirling where the Simmental breed has set a new record average mark and the ongoing commercial momentum in the breed was again warmly welcomed by the Society’s President Norman Robson who said: “There’s an ever-growing recognition of the Simmental breed’s ability to add value, efficiency and profitability to commercial herds and this is what’s continuing to drive the sustained and increasing demand at the point of sale. Prior to this sale we were able to highlight further independently verified figures over some ten years that showed the breed’s percentage advantages in daily carcase gain over both continental, and native sired progeny. Maybe most significantly, whatever the sire, the best performing progeny can be shown to be out of Simmental sired females and this is a further big driver for the breed. Add this in to the Simmental’s abilities at age at slaughter, with significantly reduced finishing costs, and less environmental impact, and it really does add up to money for producers. First quality bulls with width, good tops, were correct on their legs and with good figures, particularly for calving ease and milk, were much in demand and easily sold.”
Denizes Newton 14,000gns
At the same 14,000gns mark was another of the team of five from the Denizes pen and in the shape of the winner of class nine, Denizes Newton. This August 2022 born bull was a powerful Hamish son out of the herd’s noted Trixibelle line which has previously sold bulls up to 20,000gns. With top calving ease figures this bull was bought by commercial producers K Park & Sons, Dalpeddar Farm, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Backmuir Nate 13,000gns
Selling at 13,000gns was the day’s Senior Champion and Reserve Overall, Backmuir Nate, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith. April 2022 born, this bull is by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo, the Overall Champion at Stirling in February 2020, and is out of Backmuir Kreole’s Koala. This upstanding bull, with a +10 figure for Maternal (Milk) was purchased by DC Houldey, Kirkleton House, Waterbeck, Lockerbie. Following the sale Clive Houldey said: “We saw this bull for the first time in the show ring and were really impressed. He has a real size and power about him and that was something we were looking for the herd. The father and son team of Clive and Harry run the Manor Park and Manor Fields pedigree herds respectively and alongside a commercial suckler herd. The intent from here is that Backmuir Nate will be put to work in the middle of June, and he will go on to a mix of pedigree and commercial cows.
Denzies Neff 13,000gns
At the same price of 13,000gns was another from the Denizes pen and this time the June 2022 born Denizes Neff 22 who had stood second in his class to the day’s top priced bull. Again by Denizes Hamish this bull is out of the Blackford Galaxy sired Denizes Melody 32nd, a maternal sister to Denizes Melody 52nd who sold for 10,000gns at the Next Gen III Sale. With strong figures across the board, Denizes Neff 22 was purchased by John Jeffrey for the Kersknowe herd at Kelso, Roxburghshire. Of Neff Mr Jeffrey said: “We thought a lot of this bull and he came out of just a tremendous pen of good bulls with connectivity in the breeding. Neff is a bull with shape but not extreme and had the figures to back his breeding. Denizes Neff 22 will be settled in at Kersknowe before being given some work in June within the herd which comprises of fifty breeding females.”
Kilbride Farm Nebulus 13,000gns
The third bull at the 13,000gns price was the winner of Class 10, Kilbride Farm Nebulus 22 from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. Entirely homebred this September 2022 born bull is by Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 175F (TF) who is a maternal sister to the 20,000gns Kilbride Farm Comber. Continuing the trend of bulls selling that had good figures, Kilbride Farm Nebulus was bought by Delfur Farms, Dundurcas Farm House, Rothes for the Delfur herd of 120 breeding females. Commenting the herd manager Garry Patterson said: “This is a bull to put to heifers in the herd initially and he carries good figures for calving and milk, and generally across the traits. He’s a bull with great length to him, with style and breed character, and is the dark red colour I like. Nebulus comes from a good pedigree, is new blood to the Delfur herd and I think he’s a bull that will click well with the Islavale Magnum daughters in the herd. He’ll run across the heifers first before being given a chance of the cows”. Another good team of Kilbride Farm bulls saw five sell in all to gross a very solid £41,475.
Rockytop Nero 12,000gns
Another herd to enjoy a strong day’s trading was the Rockytop herd of Gary & Angela Christie, Glass, Huntly who sold to a top of 12,000gns and with five in all grossing £38,535. The herd’s top price of 12,000gns came in the shape of Rockytop Nero 22 who stood second in his class to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. May 2022 born, this bull is by Glenturk Kingpin 19 and is out of the Kilbride Farm Arklow daughter Rockytop Corissa’s Honey. With a +10 figure for Maternal (Milk), this bull was purchased by Mr B Grant for the Dellfield herd at Druid Temple Farm, Inverness-shire. Speaking after the sale Stuart Grant said: “We hadn’t planned on buying a bull but will need one next year and when we saw Rockytop Nero we just really liked him. He’s a bull that’s very correct on his legs, he’s square, solid and not too extreme in anyway, and just has a bit of everything in him that we like We run 160 cows, of which around 50 are pure, so he will be used on them for a start and likely on the commercial cows at a forward time.”
Denzies Nacho 12,000gns
Next up at 12,000gns was the first prize winner in Class Eight, Denizes Nacho 22 from the Barlows. July 2022 born, this thick ended bull with shape, width, and strong figures went to commercial buyers JL Drysdale, Forestmill Farm, Alloa, Clackmannan. This calf, whose brother sold for 12,000gns at the corresponding sale last year, is out of Annick Trixibelle 19th.
Corskie Nitrate 12,000gns
From another strong line up, two bulls from the Corskie herd of WJ&J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, topped at 12,000gns. The first of these was Corskie Nitrate who had stood second in his class. By the 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Haka, this September 2022 born bull is out of Corskie Kigem, an Auchorachan Farmer 14 daughter. With one of the highest Maternal (Milk) figures in the catalogue at +13, this bull also went commercially when selling to T Clark & Sons, Abbey Farm, Madderty, Crieff. At the same mark of 12,000gns was the September 2022 born Corskie Newry (22) who was purchased by Jim & Patricia Goldie for their Newbiemains herd at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. Also by Kilbride Farm Haka, Corskie Newry 22 is out of Tawley Hanna who has previously had sons sell to 7000gns. Commenting, Jim Goldie said: “We were looking for a stylish, young, well grown bull, that was correct with plenty of breed character, and felt Corskie Newry really matched up to that. He’s got plenty of breeding behind him and being out of an Irish bred cow it’s also a bit of a different blood line”. Plans from here are that the bull will be run with up to 25 heifers in the Springtime. Eight Corskie bulls grossed £67,515 with other prices including 8000gns; 7800gns; 7000gns x 2; 6000gns; and 4500gns.
Corskie Newry 12,000gnsSaltire Nemesis 11,500gns
Saltire Nemesis 22 from J&G Houliston, Drem, North Berwick made 11,500gns when selling commercially to AG Whiteford, South Keithney, Burnhervie, Aberdeenshire. May 2022 born this bull, by the prolific AI sire Saltire Impressive, is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Saltire Felicity. Later in the sale the Houlistons also sold Saltire Nobleman, a Saltire Logan 20 son, for 7500gns to Douganhill Farms, Castle Douglas.
Kersknowe Noah 11,000gns
The long established Kersknowe Simmental herd of Mr J Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire made 11,000gns of their senior bull Kersknowe Noah 22. April 2022 born Kersknowe Noah stood third in his class won by the Overall Reserve Champion. Sired by the Woodhall Ferrari son Aultmore Jasper 18, and out of Kersknowe Head Girl, this was another five figure bull to go to a commercial producer when knocked down to Aucheneck Estates, Lillearn, By Glasgow.
Kilbride Farm Nugget 11,000gns
Another from the Robson family, this time Kilbride Farm Nugget 22 (P) (TF), made 11,000gns when going for commercial use to S McClymont & Son, Yarrow, Selkirk. This August 2022 born bull offered a new bloodline being the first son at sale by the herd’s imported homozygous polled stock bull, Flop Agrochyt, and out of Kilbride Farm Dora 88 IP (P), a Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) daughter. WH Robson & Sons sold five bulls in all at the sale with their top prices of 13,000gns and 11,000gns being joined by others at 7500gns; 4800gns; and 3200gns.
Broombrae Noble 11,000gns
Bringing an international flavour to the sale the August 2022 born Broombrae Noble N12 22 (P) from Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, made 11,000gns when selling to Australian Simmental breeder Knox Farms Pty Ltd, New South Wales. Another bull with strong performance figures, Broombrae Noble N12 22 (P) is by Wolfstar Kolisi 19 (P) and is out of Broombrae Rosina K8.
Wolfstar Nonu 11,000gns
Continuing their top day the Wolfstar herd sold the April 2022 born Wolfstar Nonu 22 for 11,000gns. This April 2022 born bull is one of the first sons to be offered at sale by Glenturk Lord of the Rings described as ‘the easiest calving bull we’ve had at Wolfstar’. Nonu is out of Wolfstar Kiwi who is a full sister to the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo. With a +11 figure for Maternal (Milk) Wolfstar Nonu 22 was bought by commercial producer G&A Milne, Standingstones, Durris, Kincardineshire. Wolfstar’s three bulls sold on the day made 17,000gns; 14,000gns; and 11,000gns.
Newbiemains Neymar 11,000gns
The final bull at 11,000gns was Newbiemains Neymar 22 from Jim & Patricia Goldie, Nebie Mains Farm Annan. Sired by Annick Klondyke 19 EX94 and out of Newbiemains Klass Act VG88, a Moorglen Hillbilly EX91 daughter, this bull was sold to the Borders and IHG Warden, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Ballinalare Farm Navigator 10,000gns
Taking the total to twenty one bulls at five figures, four bulls made 10,000gns. The first of these was Ballinalare Farm Navigator from Mr J & Mr A Wilson, Ballinalare Farm, Dorans Hill Newry. Sired by the popular AI sire Ballinalare Farm Galaxy 15, and out of the Omorga Murray daughter Ballinalare Farm Delta, this July 2022 born bull stood second in his class. With a Maternal (Milk) figure of + 10, Ballinalare Farm Navigator 22 was sold to another noted commercial producer in the shape of Philiphaugh Estates, Old Mill farm, Selkirk.
Overhill House Nikey 10,000gns
The day’s Intermediate and Overall Supreme Champion was the winner of Class Five, Overhill House Nikey 22 from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. In what has been a truly remarkable run, Overhill House have won the Supreme Championship at the last four Simmental Society Sales at which they have attended. Their Champion here was another son of the 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman, who bred the herd’s 46,000gns Overhill House Neo sold in October at Stirling last year and is out of Overhill House Ice Cone. Purchasing the Champion bull was Jim & Elizabeth Dyet for his Merkland herd at East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Commenting Jim said: “Overhill House Nikey is just a tremendous Simmental bull and we’re delighted to have got him for our Merkland pedigree herd. We immediately picked him out at the show on Sunday in his class but when he was placed Champion we thought we might not be able to get him. He’s a bull with serious length and one of the best top lines that I’ve seen in a long time. A bull with a natural power to him, he’s got shape, terrific conformation, and is very breedy. We think, and very much hope, that he’ll click with the type of females we have here at East Merkland. He’ll get settled in and given the chance of one or two before being put to the very best 25-30 of our cows from June onwards”. The Merkland herd comprises of ninety breeding females in all.
Islavale Novak 10,000gns
Taking the Junior Championship and selling for 10,000gns was the winner of Class 12, Islavale Novak from the prolific herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Keith, Banffshire. This stylish October 2022 born bull came to Stirling with a bit of a show record behind him having been Senior Male Champion at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show. With breeding behind him, Novak is by Coose Lincoln EX90 whose sons sold at Stirling have averaged 11,000gns, and is out of the Curaheen Giant daughter Islavale Jazz. Buying this bull was Thomas Gray, Balquharrage, Lennoxtown. Bringing a team of predominantly junior bulls this year, the Islavale herd sold seven in all to gross £50,925 and average £7275.
Springfield Neptune 10,000gns
The final bull at the 10,000gns mark was Springfield Neptune from Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik. April 2022 born this bull is by the herd’s noted sire Islavale Jabba, who was the online European Simmental Champion 2023, and is out of Springfield ivory a half sister to Springfield Minstrel who was sold for 6800gns to the Popes herd. At the Simmental Youngstock Show at Borderway Agri Expo in2023, Springfield Neptune had stood as Senior Champion and Reserve Overall Champion. Purchasing him here, and another to Orkney, was J&R Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick. Springfield Neptune had stood second in his class to his teammate Springfield Niagra who, two lots later, sold for 8500gns to H MacDonald, Mains of Dalvey, Morayshire. Niagra, also by Islavale Jabba and this time out of Springfield Italia, was second in his class to Springfield Neptune at the aforementioned 2023 Simmental Youngstock Show.
Habton Nev 9,000gns
Selling for the first time at Stirling was Alex Bulmer from Coultas Farm, Malton, North Yorkshire who made 9,000gns for the second bull in the ring Habton Nev 22. This February 2022 born bull is by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Backmuir Kraken and is out of Corskie Kelly, a Drumagarner Hughes daughter. Another heading to the islands he was bought by GT&S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney.
*In a small sale of four Simmental females the top price was 2300gns paid for Fallhills Nikki (P) from Bruce Lambie, Howgate, Penicuik. April 2022 born this heifer is by Wolfstar Just Do It 18 (P), and is out of Fallhills Kate (TF), an Islavale Gallant 2 15 daughter. Fallhills Nikki (P) was another purchase by Australian Simmental breeder Knox Farms Pty Ltd, Crookwell, New South Wales.
OTHER LEADING BULL PRICES INCLUDED: 8,500gns Lot 21 Springfield Niagara sold to H Macdonald, Mains of Dalvey, Advie, Morayshire 8,000gns Lot 77 Rockytop Napoleon sold to R Garden, Culfosie, Aberdeenshire 8,000gns Lot 78 Denizes Nero sold to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Orkeny 8,000gns Lot 126 Islavale Norton sold to JR & JA Barron, Findowrie, Brechin, Angus 8,000gns Lot 132 Corskie Nerve sold to C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 8,000gns Lot 161 Braegarrie Nightrider sold to A & W Barrowman, Mid Knockglass Farm, Stranraer
AVERAGE: 95 Bulls £7948 (+£238)
Overall Championship – Stirling Bull Sales February 2024
In the run up to the February 2024 Stirling Simmental Bull Sale please see here a feature on the Denizes Herd of Michael & John Barlow, Nr Leyland, Lancashire who have a team of five bulls entered. The feature was first published in the Scottish Farmer and is reproduced with their kind permission.
Focusing on cow families pays dividends for many dairy producers and the same holds true for Simmental breeders Michael and John Barlow of the Denizes herd, who regularly produce some of the lead priced entries at the Bull Sales.
It’s United Auctions’ Stirling Bull Sales that the team – Michael and his wife Doreen and John and his soon-to-be wife Claire, and their daughter, Robyn (2) –enjoy most too.
Top team at Denizes – Michael and Doreen Barlow, son John and his soon to be wife Claire and their two-year-old daughter, Robyn.
“Going up to Bull Sales at Stirling is the highlight of the year. There is nothing to beat the buzz and the atmosphere of Stirling when there is a good line-up of bulls to sell,” said Michael, who two years ago received 30,000gns for Denizes Lancelot and sold nine bulls and heifers to average a colossal £10,500.
Five Denizes bulls entered for the Bull Sales at Stirling of which all are sons of Denizes Hamish
“We’ve always enjoyed going to Stirling. We get such a buzz selling bulls into Scotland and especially up to Orkney.”
Denizes Lancelot made 30,000gns at Stirling in February 2022
Huge fans of Simmental breed since their first female was bought in 1978, they have seen the popularity of the breed soar in recent years, with home-bred bulls selling into commercial beef and dairy units and several noted pedigree herds.
Last year, they enjoyed a huge demand for heifers at the NxtGen sale at Carlisle too, selling 10 to average £5754, complete with top prices of 10,000gns – twice.
Denizes Melody 48 made 10,000gns at the NxtGen Sale
Their Simmentals prove their worth not only when selling to other herds, but also when used as breeding bulls over the 80-cow Meuse-Rhine-Issel (MRI) dairy herd that produces a herd average of 7500kg at 4.7%BF and 3.49%P.
“The dairy herd was established in the 1940s by my grandfather and it still pays its way when we sell the milk to Arla and MRI bullocks from it sell at up to £1400 at 22-months of age solely off forage. Simmental bullocks from the dairy herd by home-bred bulls will make nearer £1900,” he said.
“Everything here has to pay its way so we look to breed good, long, modern clean bulls with a good top line and back end,” said Michael, pointing out that the Denizes herd has sold 10 bulls to AI centres in recent years of which all have easy calving figures.
Another from last years NxtGen sale, Denizes Melody 52 also made 10,000gns
John, who attends to the day-to-day running of the Simmentals, is equally enthusiastic about the breed and travelling to Scotland, added: “There is nothing to beat the Simmental for its maternal characteristics and ease of calving.
“Simmental cross calves from any breed or cross will easily gain more than 1kg per head per day too, which coupled with their ease of temperament means an increasing number of farmers are looking for Simmental bulls. We’re selling more bulls than ever before into dairy and beef herds and, into different areas, and that’s without advertising.”
He added that data from AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations has also confirmed that on average calves by a Simmental sire will finish 36 days earlier than those from other continental sires and 46 days earlier than those by native sires.
It has also shown that Simmental sired calves cost £72 less to finish. Furthermore, continental cross calves bred from Simmental-sired cows were shown to finish 29 days earlier than those from ‘average’ suckler cows.
John Barlow left, and his father Michael, pictured with Denizes Lancelot, Logic and Lord.
The Barlows’ farming enterprise, based just outside Leyland in Lancashire, extends to 300 acres of low ground pasture and takes in the three farms of Littlewood Hall, Rowcroft and Denizes.
Michael’s late father, John, was equally passionate about the cattle and also introduced a livestock trailer business – Barlow Trailers – which he concentrated on at nights. It is now one of now leading trailer businesses in Uk selling livestock, horse, plant, and flat trailers.
One of the sale entries Denizes Nugget as a calf and his dam Ashland Topaz Jane
The family’s Simmental herd has been enjoying just as much success too since young John returned home to work on the farm having completed a degree in agriculture.
During that time he did a placement at Wilson and Geraldine Strachan’s Mill of Balmaud, Banffshire, where their former stockman Andrew Reid changed John’s outlook on Simmental cattle.
“After working with Andrew, I could see the potential in our cattle and found out how to bring that out. Since then, we’ve also focused more on the female lines and breeding bulls demanded by the commercial producer. It’s all about ticking the right boxes – the more boxes a bull ticks for the commercial breeder, the more likely you are to sell that bull,” John said.
“Good Simmental bulls have got to have the shape, size, growth rates, figures and have the right pedigree. They also need to have the health status and be of the right colour.”
To achieve such high standards, John and Michael have bought in to several top breeding female lines over the years to include the Trixie Belles, Melodys and Matildas which in turn have bred several top-performing bulls to sell and keep for their own use.
One of those purchases, Raceview Dawn Matilda, which was bought over the ‘phone at a breed sale in Roscommon for €8500, produced Denizes Impeccable – the sire of Denizes Lancelot and Logic sold in February last year for 30,000gns and 10,000gns respectively.
The herd’s star breeder at present, Denizes Hamish, is another son of a well-known breeding female. Hamish, whose first 14 sons averaged £7000, is the first calf out of Auroch Eve. He is also the sire of the herd’s first overall champion at Stirling in Denizes Monty which made 20,000gns at Stirling in October 2022, alongside another that made 12,000gns.
Denizes Hamish sire of the five bulls for Stirling Bull Sales and the Barlows top price bull to date at 30,000gns – Denizes Lancelot
Eve was purchased at just two hours of age for her pedigree when her sire is the Hillcrest Champion son, Auroch Ace, while her dam, Auroch Wave, boasts the show cow Darsham Kit Kat and Raceview Merle-Beauty in her pedigree.
Eve herself is also one of the breed’s leading show cows having been crowned The Scottish Farmer’s Champion of the Decade in 2020, after winning the Highland Show in 2015 and 2016. She also boasts championship titles from the Great Yorkshire, the Royal Norfolk and at the Scottish National at the Black Isle Show, when she landed the breed honours when Hamish was her bull calf at foot.
Going further back, it was Ashland Tornado, another private purchase acquired at just five months of age from Pat and Frank Kelly, Northern Ireland, that helped to put a stamp on the herd. He was also purchased on the back of his genetics.
“He bred some good sons, but it’s his daughters that have been particularly impressive, having produced the 30,000gns Lancelot and grandsons to 20,000gns. Tornado daughters are good, well-balanced females and the type that we aim to breed from. They’re structurally correct, medium-sized cows that do well with various bulls,” John said.
In more recent years, the Barlows bought Blackford Galaxy privately from the Macphersons, Croy, after the bull stood reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2017 and the following year took the supreme under their ownership.
Denizes heifers at 10 months old are daughters of Blackford Galaxy
Last year, they also bought Saltire Impressive privately as a five-year-old; Corksie Nutmeg, the junior champion at the Royal Highland Show; and Coose Gambler, a former Cogent AI bull.
“We like Hamish and Impressive for their red colour and for their easy-calving characteristics, producing calves with shape and size while Nutmeg is more likely to be a cow breeder. Gambler was bought for his polled genetics and to put over the heifers,” said John.
Ideally, the duo look for a balance of muscle and size in their cattle with their ideal sized cow weighing in at 800kg and heifers calving at 30 months of age.
Heifers calve in February, and March, with the cows in June to September, inside. Being so easy fleshed they are fed a straw-based ration and plenty of minerals in the run-up to calving. They are also given time to calve instead of rushing in with the calving jack, which they believe is key to reducing calving problems and boosting herd fertility.
“We’re big on pre-calving minerals and make sure we don’t rush calving. In the past, we’d be too quick to assist, but we’ve learned to give them plenty of time and they normally calve themselves without any issues.”
While the boys look at calving figures, they are more likely to check the accuracy and gestation figures when buying a bull.
Easy-calving sires can breed easy-calving daughters too, with Denizes Hamish not only being in the top 1% of the breed, but also boasting gestation and calving figures of -2.9 and +9.2 respectively, with his daughters producing progeny with figures of +9.4.
Denizes Monty was overall champion at Stirling in February 2022, and sold 20,000gns
Hamish also breeds impressive looking progeny, being the sire of the inter-breed group of four at the Royal Lancashire Show last year. The quartet of yearlings, included Denizes Neff, Nugget, Nero and Nacho, caught the eye of the overall judge, David Leggat of United Auctions, who declared: “That’s one of the best inter-breed teams I have ever seen.”
Interestingly, those four, along with another Hamish son, Denizes Newton, are bound for Stirling this month.
The Royal Lancs is the first show for the family and it’s also the busiest as John aims to ‘break’ all cattle for the year when the two-day event is a 10-minute drive away and all entries are kept tied up overnight in a marquee.
“Last year, we took 21 cattle and this year we aim to take 35. It’s a great way to train youngstock for future showing because they get used to a big event at a young age.
Stirling Bull Sales comes first though, and if you can’t get a bull, you could buy a trailer or rent a motor home for a couple of weeks in the summer!
FARM facts
Family farm: Third generation family farm run by Michael and Doreen Barlow and son John
Livestock: Oldest herd of MRI dairy cows in the UK running 80 cows with a herd average of 7500kg at 4.7%BF and 3.49%P and 80 pedigree Simmentals to produce breeding bulls and heifers for sale mostly through United Auctions’ Stirling and Carlisle.
Diversification: Barlow trailers; motorhome rental; on-farm music festival.
ON THE spot
Best investment? “Buying Ashland Tornado to breed a herd of cows and Auroch Eve to breed Hamish.”
Biggest achievement? Breeding Denizes Lancelot which sold for 30,000gns when he is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides having a home-bred sire, grand-sire and dam.
Best advice? “Use Dinton Nautical on Auroch Eve to produce Hamish which is still going strong at eight years of age.”
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