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SIMMENTAL – THE ‘TESLA’ OF UPLAND SUCKLER BEEF PRODUCTION AT AIKENGALL!

SIMMENTAL – THE ‘TESLA’ OF UPLAND SUCKLER BEEF PRODUCTION AT AIKENGALL!

We meet with James Hamilton, this year’s NSA ScotSheep host on Wednesday 5th June, based at Aikengall located on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills, Innerwick, Dunbar and where Simmental has a major complementary role to play with the sheep enterprise.

Succession and the freedom to be your own man have always been at the forefront and long-term planning for the Hamilton family – James, Charles and Harry alongside their late father, John.  Harry took on the tenancy of Nunraw in 2010, the opportunity to purchase Barney Mains where Charles is now based came in late 2021, while James remains at Aikengall.  Combined, the three units carry 900 spring calving Simmental cross suckler cows and accompanying finishing unit together with 1,400 Blackface ewes including 700 pure ewes, 700 ewes bred to the Bluefaced Leicester and 1,400 Scotch Mules bred to Texel rams for finished lamb production.


James explains: “While we are each running our own farms, the arrangement provides that critical mass and we’re linked: the extra land has enabled us to expand the suckler herd, Barney Mains has allowed us to be self-sufficient in grain and straw and we’ve been able to develop a complete stratified sheep enterprise.
“We have always tried to build a system that can sustain itself and turn in a profit without support payments, and we are currently as close to that as we have ever been.”
He continues: “After moving from Dykefoot and South Cobbinshaw in Lanarkshire to Aikengall back in 1998, we converted to organic production which was very profitable in the early days due to good organic conversion schemes and premiums on stock of up to £1/kg.
“Organic was in fact the precursor to the current regenerative movement; it was simply a more unquantified ‘caveman’ approach. Without the ability to turn to a bag or a can to solve your problems, we learnt a great deal. It was about building fertility for crops such as kale or barley using good clover-based swards that in turn boosted feed values, clean grazings to reduce worm burdens and closed herds to prevent introducing disease – the list goes on.

“Whilst we took the decision in 2014 to return to conventional production, the lessons we learned haven’t been lost. We like to think we currently farm an intensive system on an extensive basis – we’re exploiting our resources’ potential with minimal input however we like to pay as much attention to detail as we can.

“We are finding what’s good for farm profitability is also good for the environment and carbon efficiency. When we have a good grazing sward with clovers and herbs the soil health and ability to hold pH and fertility is greatly enhanced. Recent carbon tests on upland silage fields have shown soil carbon levels of 15-18%, far greater than the assumed 2-3%. This is a great story to tell and a torpedo to the Bismarck of negative press the livestock industry sustains,” says James.

“Labour is a big issue – we each mange our units singlehanded alongside our wives – Emma, Jane and Rebecca. At Aikengall, I have part time help feeding up along with seasonal help from students at calving and lambing, consequently we need an easy care suckler, one that will look after herself, and Simmental has proved herself to us for nearly three decades.”

“Simmental has got to be the Tesla of upland suckler beef production,” says James Hamilton. “She is a great dual-purpose cow – easy calving, maternal and milky, and is able to extensively rear a quality calf each year which goes on to easily flesh. Furthermore, she is performing off heather hill remaining in BCS 3.5 totally off forage and without any extra cost through to the end of December – weather permitting, which can subsequently shorten the winter period to just four months of the year.”  In fact, Simmental has been the backbone of the family’s suckler finishing enterprise for almost 30 years and is set to continue that role well into the foreseeable future. “While we inherited Simmental when we bought Aikengall in 1998, since then we’ve worked away introducing native breeds to reduce cow size to an average 650kg mature weight and establish a fleshier, more efficient suckler cow and one that will hold her condition during winter. Today’s herd comprises 80% Simmental genetics.

“While we’ve some cows lasting for 10 years, one of objectives is to keep the herd productive and young averaging six crops. We semen test all the bulls before they are turned out, they run with the heifers for four weeks and the cows up to six weeks, and then we scan three weeks after they’re removed in mid-September and anything that’s empty is culled.”  Replacement heifers are carefully selected: “We’re annually introducing 200 head and calve them at two years – we pelvic score and weigh to make sure they’re sufficiently well grown reaching 400kg and fit to run with the bull – either Angus or Lincoln Red. We run them in two groups of 100 head, each with three or four bulls for four weeks as an insurance policy.

“After that first cross, it’s Simmental all the way and we keep these bulls in for two cycles, and again we cull all of the empties,” says James. “Our ruthless culling policy has resulted in herd fertility dramatically increasing and most cows getting in calf in the first turn.”

The Hamiltons run a string of 25 Simmental bulls; they annually refresh with a handful purchased in Stirling and occasionally top up with one or two bought privately. “We work each one as long as he’s fit, usually for up to five seasons. We do pay attention to selecting for calving ease, eye muscle and backfat EBVs however we don’t rely on them. We like a slightly smaller and ‘musclier’ type of bull, since we believe they and their progeny will hold flesh easier.  “We also like those with dark red coats – we believe they absorb more sunlight which in turn helps to keep more flesh on the cattle.”

With some 900 head of cows to calve over the three farms within a space of six weeks then ease of calving is vitally important. “We keep an eye on them and have cameras, however very little intervention is required; the calves are lively and able to take care of themselves in the most part.

“Cows and calves are turned out on to a flush of spring grass and thrive on the upland pastures and hill until nine months weaning at +300kg target weight. Three to four weeks prior to weaning we introduce creep – wheat distillers and barley to help with the transition process. The calves are then built up onto a finishing diet of homegrown crimped cereals, silage, a bit of straw and bought in protein, with bespoke minerals included,” he explains. “All calves are weighed at housing and at two-month intervals to ensure they keep on track.

“The cattle tend to finish in a tight pattern which mirrors calving, at 17 to 20 months of age – steers at an average 390kg and heifers 340kg to 350kg and all consistently grading within the U, R 3 and 4L spec. They’re very well sought after and keenly bid for by Highland Meats, AK Stoddart and Macduff beef,” he says adding: “It is a pleasure to work with the Simmental breed to achieve the type and temperament of cow and finishing beast in the farming system we are striving to achieve.”

 

 

Suckler herd performance
24 months age at first calving
95% heifer scan
96% cow scan
80% calving within the first two cycles
90% reared
6 calf crops
17 – 20-month finishing; steers ave 390kg, heifers ave 340kg; U, R 4L

Factfiles
Aikengall, Dunbar, East Lothian

1,900 acres, upland unit, 900’ – 1,200’
450 spring calving Simmental cross breeding females
600 head finishing unit
1,400 Blackface ewes

Thurston Mains
400 acres arable/good grazing lowland next door to Aikengall

Nunraw, Garvald
1,200 acres, tenanted unit
350 spring calving Simmental cross breeding females
1,400 Scotch Mule ewes

Barney Mains, Haddington
450 acres arable
140 acres rough grazing, plus 80 acres grazing next door farm
100 suckler cows

Coreshope, Heriot
2,000 acres upland unit contract farmed with the Walgate family
Running all bulling heifers and ewe hoggs

22,000GNS DENIZES NEW ORLEANS LEADS ALL-BREEDS TRADE AT STIRLING AND SETS NEW MAY SALE RECORD

22,000GNS DENIZES NEW ORLEANS LEADS ALL-BREEDS TRADE AT STIRLING AND SETS NEW MAY SALE RECORD

• £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 6500gns 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

THAINSTONE SEES SIMMENTAL CROSS HEIFERS SELL TO £3950; £3850; £3750, WITH BIG NUMBERS OVER THE £3000 MARK!

THAINSTONE SEES SIMMENTAL CROSS HEIFERS SELL TO £3950; £3850; £3750, WITH BIG NUMBERS OVER THE £3000 MARK!

• Simmentals also top the bulling heifer trade at £2280
• Simmental bull to 5200gns

The demand and popularity for Simmental breeding females with commercial beef producers was very much highlighted at Aberdeen and Northern Marts sale of 424 head of adult breeding cattle at Thainstone on 1st May.

Simmental cross heifers sold to a top of £3,950, with others at £3,850, three at £3,750 four at £3,700, and with a tremendous depth in the day, a big number well over the £3000 mark. Simmentals also dominated the trade for bulling heifers to a top of £2280, and in a small sale of bulls a Simmental made 5200gns. Quite a day!

Commenting, Iain Kerr the British Simmental Cattle Society General Manager said: “There’s an ongoing and increasing demand for Simmental breeding females which is great to see. These Simmental heifers go on to make tremendous long lasting cows that are full of milk, cross with any breed, and produce easy fleshing quality calves that go on to weigh well. With an emphasis on added value, efficiency, and profitability, the Simmental female is really hitting the note with commercial breeders.”

In the Annual Show & Sale of Heifers with Calves at Foot sponsored by East Coast Viners and judged by Mr Colin Stuart, Belnoe, the Simmental Society award for the best sired Simmental Heifer and Calf went to The Gordon Family, Lost Farm, Strathdon with the first prize Simmental Heifer with Heifer Calf which sold for £3750 to the Judge. With a tremendous reputation for selling quality Simmental females this was a remarkable third year in a row, amidst a strong entry, that the Gordons have won this award.

A typical entry from the Gordon family, Lost Farm, Strathdon, pictured prior to the sale at Thainstone on Wednesday 1st May.

However the top Simmental price on the day was a terrific £3950 paid for a Simmental heifer with a Limousin bull calf at foot, from Ian Keith, Auchtygall, Peterhead.

Bulling Heifers met a fantastic demand selling to a top of £2280 for a pair of tremendous 19-month-old Simmental Heifers from A D Sutherland & Sons, Connachie, Kellas. Highlight Simmental prices and sale section leaders included:

Heifer with Bull Calf (93) sold to £3950 for a Simmental Cross with a Limousin Cross from Auchtygall, Peterhead.

Bulling Heifer (96) sold to £2280 for a Pair of Simmental Crosses from Connachie, Kellas.

Heifer with Bull Calf: SimX – Auchtygall £3850, £3750, £3700, £3650 ; Ardhuncart £3750, £3700, £3650; South Blachrie £3600, £3500, £3450; The Bungalow, New Noth £3550, £3450; Lost Farm £3500, £3350; Cranna £3500, £3350; West Cruichie £3250, £3050; Sim – Auchtygall £3550; South Blachrie £3450;

Heifer with Heifer Calf: SimX – Auchtygall £3950, £3900, £3700, £3400; Lost Farm £3750, £3400, £3350; Ardhuncart £3700, £3650, £3600, £3500; South Blachrie £3650, £3500, £3450; The Bungalow £3500, £3150; Cranna £3450, £3400, £3250; West Cruichie £3200; Pitcairn farm £3150;

Cow with Bull Calf: SimX – Auchanland Farm £3350, £3200, £3150; Fairburn £3050, £2500; Sim – Auchanland Farm £3200.

Bulling Heifers: Connachie SimX – £2280, £2220, £2200, £2180, £2150; Berryleys Sim – £2250, £2000; Brodieshill Farm SimX – £2220, £2200, £2050; Essil SimX – £2050, £1900; Culquhassen SimX – £1880, £1520.

Pedigree Bulls – Sim – Drumsleed 5200gns

Charles Gordon (left), Lost Farm, Strathdon, receiving the Champion Simmental award, for the third year in a row, from BSCS representative, Gary Wright, Lagavaich Simmentals.

Results from Show and Sale of Commercial Beef Breeding Cattle, Wednesday 1st May 2024, Sponsored by East Coast Viners
Judge – Colin Stuart Belnoe Glenlivet

Class 1 Simmental Sired Heifer with Male Calf
1st – Ardhuncart Farms Ardhuncart Kildrummy £3,500
2nd – I & M Keith Auchtygall Peterhead £3,950
3rd – Ardhuncart Farms Ardhuncart Kildrummy £3,650

Class 2 Simmental Sired Heifer with Female Calf
1st – C & G Gordon Lost Farm Strathdon £3,750
2nd – A Prentice The Bungalow New Noth Gartly £3,500
3rd – Ardhuncart Farms Ardhuncart Kildrummy £3,700

Champion Simmental Sired Heifer with calf at foot
C & G Gordon Lost Farm Strathdon £3,750

 

MODERN, VERSATILE OVERHILL HOUSE SIMMENTALS PROVING TO BE THE WHOLE PACKAGE

MODERN, VERSATILE OVERHILL HOUSE SIMMENTALS PROVING TO BE THE WHOLE PACKAGE

It’s been a record-breaking year to remember for Overhill House Simmentals and owner Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian. Here we profile the 130-cow herd, look at it’s history, and some of the breeding philosophies behind its ongoing progress and development.

Factfile: Overhill House Farm, Armadale, West Lothian
1000 owned acres, +200 rented
850 breeding ewes
130 Simmental cows, small Charolais herd
2.5 – 3 years age at first calving
Spring calving March – June
90% + calves reared
9 to 10 calf crops

The team at Overhill House Simmentals had an unforgettable year in 2023 – topping the Stirling multibreed sale in May at 16,000gns and the Carlisle sale the same month at 10,000gns, then achieving a new breed record of 46,000gns at Stirling in October and finishing the year in style, selling a heifer at 18,000gns at the Nxt Generation sale in December! That level of success can never be guaranteed, but despite the unpredictable nature of pedigree breeding, the herd’s owner and founder, Richard McCulloch, says the highs have certainly outweighed the lows, since introducing Simmentals to his farm at Armadale, West Lothian, 20 years ago.

Richard’s passion for farming developed as a child, when he would regularly visit a local farm that was owned by friends of his parents. After building up a successful demolition business, his childhood dream was realised when he and his wife Lisa purchased a smallholding with 40 acres in 1993, marking the beginning of their farming journey.
Richard explains: “From that initial 40 acres, we gradually increased the acreage over the years and we purchased Overhill House in 2004. It had previously been a dairy, complete with old byres, so we started from scratch developing the steading.”

Based at Overhill House with their sons Kier (13) and Cameron (12), while their older sons Johnston and Mac work in the family’s demolition and recycling business, Richard and Lisa are now farming 1000 owned acres, with a further 200 acres rented. There are currently 130 Simmental cows in the herd, which run alongside a small Charolais herd and a flock of 850 breeding ewes. For that enterprise, they have stockman Scott Gilmour, part-time shepherd Thomas Marshall and ‘all-rounder’ Donald Rew. Freelance stockman Brian Wills also helps out and has been a great source of advice for stockman Scott, who began working in the demolition side of the business before showing a keen eye for cattle.

“Our first experience of Simmentals was when I bought a bull from Andy Ryder’s Ryden herd, to go on the Blue Grey cows that we had at the time. I was really impressed by the bull and by the calves that he left, and I got to like the breed in general – it seemed a versatile breed with a docile nature, so I decided to buy some pure females,” explains Richard.

Aiming for easy fleshing animals with good feet and legs, Richard bought from various herds, including Fole and Corskie, and travelled to Ireland to buy some bloodlines from there. He boosted the numbers significantly in 2012 by purchasing 50 females from Hector McCaskill’s Woodhall herd, including several daughters of Raceview All-Star KK.

“We still introduce new bloodlines occasionally, but we try to keep the herd as closed as possible now, other than buying in bulls,” says Richard.

Stock bull purchases have proved key to the development of the herd, and one of the earlier ones, Curaheen Drifter, certainly left his stamp on the daughters that he bred. Richard describes them as ‘excellent females – square cattle, with great ends.’ He did exactly the job that they hoped he would, while other bulls that have clicked particularly well with the Overhill House females have been Aultmore Goliath, bought for 16,000gns in 2017 and the 24,000gns Islavale Heston, bought in 2018. Heston sired Overhill House Neil, the bull, out of a Drifter daughter, that took the champion title at Stirling in May, 2023, and sold for 16,000gns – an all-breeds record price at that sale. Another son of Heston, Overhill House McCoy, was champion at the Carlisle sale in May and sold for 10,000gns.

In February, 2021, Richard paid his highest price to-date for a bull, when he bought Pistyll Kingsman for 26,000gns at Stirling. He was initially drawn to the Woodhall breeding in his pedigree which he thought would do well with his females, and then considered him an ‘outstanding’ bull at the sale. His instincts were right – Kingsman sons, Overhill House Neo and Overhill House Nestor sold at 46,000gns and 13,000gns respectively, at Stirling in October ‘23, while his daughter Overhill House Neva, sold for 18,000gns at Carlisle’s Nxt Gen sale in December. There are four more impressive Kingsman sons heading to Stirling in February 2024.

Neo, which secured the pre-sale championship at Stirling before smashing the breed record, is out of Seepa Daffodil, bought at Roscommon in 2014 for €8000. Richard says: “I was drawn to her at the sale as she was a lovely, feminine heifer, with plenty length and not too extreme – and red coloured, which I like too.” One of only a few select females to have been flushed in the herd, Daffodil had consistently bred sons that sold at 6000-7000gns, prior to 2023.

Due to the unpredictable weather conditions in the winter, the majority of the herd is now set to calve in the spring, between March and June, with a further 25 calving in September. They calve at between 2.5 to 3 years old and are given pre-calving minerals six weeks prior to calving.

“We’ve moved to mainly spring calving this year, so we can get them out to grass as soon as possible. It’s a lot healthier for the calves as we were finding they weren’t getting off to the best possible start being inside in the winter, with the often mild, damp weather conditions,” says Richard.

It makes for a busy spring though, as the lambing of the Blackfaces, Cheviots and Mules, begins inside, around 12th April. Texel cross lambs out of the Mules, plus any surplus others that are not kept as replacements, are finished off home-grown kale, which helps keep ever rising feed costs down. They also grow 150 acres of barley, mostly for their own use, with the rest bruised and sold to a few local farms.

“We select the best of the bull calves for future sales and the rest are kept entire, finished on home-grown barley, with minerals and straw, and sold through ABP at 14/15-months-old, killing out at 400-420kg d/w and achieving U grades. The heifers are mostly kept for replacements, with one or two of the best kept for the Nxt Gen sale, and some sold for breeding or as recipients.
“We keep the herd quite young, generally up to eight or nine years old, really for easier maintenance and also because we can get a good cast trade for the older cows,” adds Richard. In fact, a nine-year-old Overhill House cow won the Christmas show and sale at UA Stirling in December, selling for £2100.

Other than rising costs, the other challenge always at the forefront is herd health, which is why they are very particular when it comes to buying in any animals and also when exhibiting at shows, which the herd has enjoyed a fair amount of success at over the years. Some of the highlights, outwith the pre-sale shows, include Curaheen Drifter winning the inter-breed title at Stirling Show and Overhill House Neil securing the junior championship at Stars of the Future. At the Scottish National show at Dumfries last summer, Overhill House Niko, a son of the home-bred Overhill House Enhance, finished up overall male and junior champion and went onto sell for 12,000gns at Stirling in October.

In addition to being a good shop window for the herd, shows and events also provide the chance to mix with and get to know fellow breeders, which has been part of the appeal of the breed for Richard. He feels the breed has hugely improved over the past 10 years or so.

“The Simmental in this country is now a really modern, versatile animal that has the whole package – milk, docility, and conformation. I’ve no doubt that it’s a breed going from strength to strength and that is clear from the increased demand. We’ve seen a massive boost in demand ourselves at sales, and privately, and have a lot of repeat customers coming back, so they must be doing a good job. The society do a brilliant job of promoting the breed too, which definitely makes a difference.

“Farming’s never going to be easy and we’ve had lots of knocks along the way, but when you have a good day, it makes it all worthwhile!” adds Richard.

11,000GNS ISLAVALE NIGHTRIDER LEADS ABERDEEN SIMMENTAL SALE

11,000GNS ISLAVALE NIGHTRIDER LEADS ABERDEEN SIMMENTAL SALE

  • Backmuir sells to 8800gns
  • Rockytop bull at 8500gns
  • 11 bulls average £5832.27
Simmental Bull Champion Islavale Nightrider 22 – sold for 11,000gns

The May 2022 born Islavale Nightrider from Mr W S Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith made 11,000gns to lead the Simmental trade at the Royal Northern Spring Show & Sale held at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Wednesday the 28th of February.

Islavale Nightrider is by Coose Lincoln EX90, and is out of Islavale Faye VG88, a Curaheen Bandit daughter.  With solid figures for both Calving Ease and Maternal (Milk), this bull was snapped up by local commercial producer W & V Leith, North Crannoch, Crossroads, Keith. The herd sire Coose Lincoln EX90 has previously had his first sons at sale sell up to 13,000gns at Stirling in October 2023.

Earlier in the day at Thainstone, pre-sale show judge Andrew Anderson, Smallburn, Duffus had placed Islavale Nightrider 22 as the Overall Supreme Simmental Champion.  For the prolific Islavale herd, this is the third year in a row that they’ve topped the Simmental prices at this sale.

Three Simmental bulls made over 8000gns at the sale with eleven in all selling to average a healthy £5832.27.

Selling at 8800gns was Backmuir Nigel 22 from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith.  This bull, May 2022 born, is by the homebred Backmuir Kryptonite, and is out of Wolfstar Islay (TF).  Purchasing Backmuir Nigel 22 was T Alexander, Lyth, Wick, Caithness.

At the 8,500gns was Rockytop Nimrod 22 Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly.  April 2022 born this bull, by Kilbride Farm Fearless out of Rockytop Gaia’s Juniper, sits in the breed’s top 5% for Maternal (Milk) with a figure of +12.  Nimrod went onto sell to Colin Inglis, Blairsgreen Farm, Saline, Dunfermline. Again, at the recent Stirling sale, Rockytop sold another Kilbride Farm Fearless son for 8000gns.

Another from the Stronachs in the shape of Islavale Nevada made 5800gns when selling to J Watson, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh. With a breed top 1% figure for Maternal (Milk) of +14, this April 2022 born bull is by Corskie Highlander 16 EX93, and is out of Islavale Illusion ET EX90.

Drumsleed Nemesis 22, from Mr GW Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, made 5,500gns when selling to Orkney, and M Donaldson, Tankerness.  Sired by Dellfield Kingpin 19, this April 2022 born bull is out of Drumsleed Katelyn 19.

OTHER PRICES INCLUDED:

4,000gns         Lot 58  Pitmudie Nuffield 22 sold to J Watson, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh.

4,000gns         Lot 61  Tillyeve Nigel 22 sold to The Hay Partnership, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire

4,000gns         Lot 62  Auchorachan Nemisis 22 sold to J & J Henderson, Poyntzfield, Dingwall

AVERAGE:

11 Bulls           £5832.27

SIMMENTAL PRE-SALE SHOW RESULTS

Class 6 – Simmental Bulls born on or after 15th March 2022 and before 20th April 2022

1st. Lot 64 – G & A Christie, Rockytop Nimrod, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly 

2nd. Lot 66 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Northstar, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 

3rd. Lot 63 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nevada, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

4th. Lot 62 – D & R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan Nemesis, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch 

Class 7 – Simmental Bulls born on or after 20th April 2022

1st. Lot 74 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nightrider, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

2nd. Lot 77 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Noah, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 

3rd. Lot 75 – R & A Simmers, Backmuir Nelson, Backmuir Farm, Keith 

4th. Lot 69 – Mr G W Smith, Drumsleed Nemesis, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk 

Simmental Championship

Lot 74 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nightrider, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

Reserve Champion

Lot 77 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Noah, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon

5800GNS TOPS PART ONE OF THE BROOMBRAE SIMMENTAL HERD DISPERSAL SALE

5800GNS TOPS PART ONE OF THE BROOMBRAE SIMMENTAL HERD DISPERSAL SALE

  • 5800gns attained twice
  • Five lots sell at 5000gns and more
  • Heifer sells to Australian breeder
  • Sale grosses £94,395

Two lots made 5800gns to lead part one of the Broombrae Simmental herd dispersal for Messrs Gordon L Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife, held at United Auctions, Stirling on Monday 19th February and immediately following the breed’s successful bull sale.

The first part of the Broombrae Dispersal Sale comprised the Autumn calving cows with calves at foot, and with a selection of heifers, and met with a solid and consistent trade throughout.  Five lots made in excess of 5000gns with fifteen in all at 4000gns and above.  The sale grossed a very healthy £94,395.  A herd with a focus on breeding cows with good udders and temperament, and using bulls with easy calving EBVs, the remaining cows and heifers will be sold in October 2024.

First to sell at 5800gns was the September 2019 born Broombrae Rosina K16, a daughter of the herd’s noted stock sire Lisglass Goldstar, and out of Broombrae Rosina E40, a Team Wisconsin daughter.  PD’d in calf to Broombrae Major, Broombrae Rosina K16 was sold with her second calf at foot, the Camus Harold 16 sired heifer Broombrae Rosina P22 to Richard McCulloch for his Overhill House herd at Armadale, West Lothian.

Broombrae Rosina K16 5800gns

Broombrae Rosina E40, the mother of the joint top price, then went on herself to make 5800gns when being one of five purchases by MacFarlane Farms Ltd, Quixwood Farm, Duns, Berwickshire.  This ten-year-old-cow by Team Wisconsin and out of Broombrae Rosina W8 was sold with her twin bull calves at foot, Broombrae Pablo 23, and Broombrae Picasso, both sired by Ardunsaghan Magic One. The oldest cow in the herd, Broombrae Rosina E40 has calved in August or September every year since 2016.  All daughters have been retained and both of her previous bull calves sold in Stirling for over £8000.

Broombrae Rosina E40, 5800gns

In an export sale to Australia, selling at 5400gns was the maiden heifer Broombrae Delight N9 (P).  Heterozygous polled, this August 2022 born heifer is by Wolfstar Kolisi (P), and is out of the Lisglass Goldstar 15 sired Broombrae Delight J1.  After some rigorous pre-sale research, Broombrae Delight N9 (P) was purchased online by Knox Farms Pty Ltd, Crookwell, New South Wales.  In the preceding bull sale, Knox Farms had also purchased Broombrae Noble for 11,000gns.

Broombrae Delight N9, 5400gns

The second calver, Broombrae Cathy K22 made 5200gns when selling to the Craighill herd of Craighill Farms, Duntrune, By Dundee.  October 2019 born, and another by Lisglass Goldstar, this heifer, who previously had had twin bull calves, was sold PD’d in-calf to Broombrae Major and with her September 2023 born heifer calf at foot, Broombrae Cathy P23, a Camus Harold daughter. 

Broombrae Cathy K22, 5200gns

At 5000gns was the March 2021 born Broombrae Cathy M7 who was sold PD’d in calf to Wolfstar Kolisi and with her heifer calf at foot Broombrae Cathy P28.  Cathy M7 is by Roma Jaguar 18, a Curaheen Wakeman daughter, and is out of the Broombrae Dakota 12 daughter Broombrae Cathy I 17.  Her October 2023 heifer calf, Cathy P28, is another by Camus Harold.  Purchasing this outfit for their Priestfield herd was A&A Smith, Ballomill Farmhouse, Ladybank, Fife.

BROOMBRAE AVERAGES:

13 Cows in calf, or with calves at foot:     £4878.46

3 In-calf heifers                                             £3465

6 Maiden heifers                                          £3430