by Nicky Moreton | Jul 17, 2024 | 2024 Cornwall News, 2024 News, 2024
• Angwelha Fantastic Pippa wins Overall Simmental Championship
• Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz places Reserve Overall
• Simmentals Reserve in Interbreed Team of Three
Simmentals shone through the persistent rain at the 190th Stithians Show, Truro, Cornwall on Monday 15th July. See here the report from the Cornwall Simmental Club, and with the day’s Champion, Angwelha Fantastic Pippa winning the Interbreed Beef Championship.
Angwelha Fantastic Pippa – Simmental Champion, and Interbreed Beef Champion. Photo taken by Athwenna Irons/Western Morning News
The cattle exhibitors with nigh on one hundred entries across five divisions each of beef and dairy breeds provided a quality show in challenging weather conditions.
Mr James Kimber (Beanhill) ably judged the British Simmentals section with five classes.
Heading the first class; cow in milk or in-calf; was Megan Wellington’s Pennytinney Magic Star. A home-bred January 2021 first calf heifer with a May born smart bull calf at foot by Pennytinney Maverick 21P (Sneumgaard Imperator PP).
Megan and her partner Emma Bate continued their successful start by taking the 2022 heifer class with Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz who was purchased as a calf at foot at the 2022 Bosahan reduction sale at Exeter. Nova is sired by Kinclaven Infusion 17 (P) and hails from a maternal line influenced by Camus Brandy.
The heifer born in 2023 was won by the exhibitor-bred Angwelha Fantastic Pippa heralding a day that lived up to her name for her breeder Steven Buckland, the current vice-chairman of the Cornwall Simmental Club. By Newbiemains Lorenzo, Pippa is out of the Heywood Fantastic family representing the famous Star Fanny dynasty.
The Buckland family’s new stock bull Clonagh Perfectly Fab, by Manor Park Handsome, won the bull any age class. The November 2022 son of a Curaheen Gunshot cow, his granddam is the multi award winning Absolutely Fabulous.
Reserve Interbreed Team of Three. Photo taken by Athwenna Irons/Western Morning News
The Pairs class went to Megan and Emma Jane, ably assisted by Adele Jewell, with Pennytinney Magic Star and Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz.
Moving on to the Simmental Championship where Angwelha Fantastic Pippa was tapped forward, with Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz filling the Reserve spot. James Kimber’s comments thanked all the exhibitors for taking part and stated that he was particularly impressed with the quality show of females before him. He then went on to select the day’s Champion, Reserve, and winning cow for the Inter-breed team of three.
The interbreed judging involves all the section judges awarding points to cattle forward excluding their breed division selection.
After some rapid calculations, the Simmentals stood as runners-up to the Jersey team. The individual Beef and Dairy Champions came next. Fellow judges endorsed James Kimber’s decision and the Simmental heifer Fantastic Pippa was awarded the sash over the mature South Devon Bull. Meanwhile a draw in the dairy points led to the expert judge Roger Laity choosing the Warren family’s impressive Holstein cow Bartinney Altavelvet Chrissity over their Jersey Champion.
Ending the cattle competitions the Holstein was awarded Supreme champion over the Simmental heifer.
Pennytinney females sheltering from the rain!
A huge acknowledgement should go to the diligent officials of the Stithians Show cattle section for their efficiency, resilience, and humour throughout.
The next Cornwall Simmental Club event is the club show. Camborne has been nominated again in 2024. Judging commences at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday 20th July under the knowledgeable gaze of David Pascoe – Trevenen Herefords. The committee has organised a hospitality area and all club members together with Simmental supporters are invited to attend. Gwealavellan Farm, Near Camborne TR27 5EF.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 17, 2024 | 2024 North East News, 2024 North West News, 2024 News, 2024 Great Yorkshire Show, 2024
• Popes Premier takes Male Championship
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
OVERALL, FEMALE, & JUNIOR CHAMPION
Popes Princess Noor, Messrs JH & VG Wood
RESERVE OVERALL, & MALE CHAMPION
Popes Premier 23, Messrs JH & VG Wood
RESERVE MALE CHAMPION
Fircovert Peacock, Mr P Gunther
RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION
Popes Trixies Pearl, Messrs JH & VG Wood
CLASS 65 Group of three animals
1st Messrs JH & VG Wood
2nd Mr P Gunther
CLASS 66 Pair of animals
1st Messrs JH & VG Wood
2nd Mr D Saunders
3rd Mr P Gunther
Reserve Female Champion, Popes Trixies Pearl
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 9, 2024 | 2024 News, 2024 Market Briefs, 2024
SEDGEMOOR; ABERDEEN; GISBURN; STIRLING; DUNGANNON; CARLISLE; MONMOUTHSHIRE; TRURO; AYR; SALISBURY; MARKET DRAYTON; LANARK; FROME; SKIPTON; OSWESTRY; BAKEWELL; PENRITH; SEDGEMOOR; THAME; BALLYMENA; EXETER; ST BOSWELLS; DARLINGTON; AND DALMALLY.
Here is the final part of three posts covering Simmental cattle topping store, prime, breeding, and calf sales around the UK. Where they are not Simmental sired, many other sale top prices are out of Simmental females! Simmental genetics continuing to add value, flexibility, efficiency, and profitability for commercial producers.
‼️ If you have any market briefs, or pictures, of Simmental cattle leading sales in your area then please forward them on to information@britishsimmental.co.uk and we’ll be very happy to post them!
£2655 SIMMENTAL LEADS PRIME BULLS AT CARLISLE
A great entry of 109 prime bulls forward at Borderway’s weekly primestock sale on 10th June at Carlisle. Top overall on the day was a 985kg Simmental selling to £2654.58 from Messrs Goldsbrough, Oakrigg, Moffat purchased by A & D Meats.
At Ballymena on 10th June, heifers in the 401 to 500kg category were topped by an Ahoghill producer, with a 460kg Sim at £1310 (285p/kg).
Exeter’s store cattle sale on 5th June saw steers top out at £1340 given for a smart Simmental from Russell Williams of Blackawton.
At Thainstone on 6th June, Aberdeen & Northern Marts held a sale of cast cows forward from Orkney consignors. Beef Cows Sold to £1,830 gross for a 782kg Simmental from Maesquoy Farms, Harray. At a sale of prime cattle on the same day, Young Bulls sold to 271p per kg for a 725kg Simmental from Towiemore, Keith and Heifers sold to £1,907.55 gross for a 785kg Simmental cross from Newton of Savoch. At a sale of cows and bulls, Beef Finished Cows (69) sold to £2130 for a 956kg Simmental cross from Culhay, Forbes.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 325 Store Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 6th June. Top Price of the day was £1875 for a pen of 7 Simmental Bullocks off Stoopshill.
At H&H’s sale of store cattle at St Boswells on 6th June, heifers per kilo were topped by Simmentals at 275p from East Learmouth.
At Frome’s prime cattle sale on 5th June, UTM heifers were led by Simmentals from TJ Rowland Farms to 269p/kg, and topping at £1747 for 650kg.
In a sale of store cattle at Monmouthshire Livestock Auctioneers on 5th June, 162 strong stores were forward. Grazing types peaked at 331p/kg (£1020-308kg) for Simmental crosses from GJ Owen & Co, Pontfaen.
United Auctions Stirling on 5th June sold 285 store cattle & young bulls, 116 Breeding Cattle & 104 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Bullocks (139) averaged 302.31p to a 374.60p per kilo for a 283kg SIMX from Kirkland. Young Bulls averaged 268.46p to a 277.60p per kilo for a 389kg SIMX from Woodhall and £1090 for a 408kg SIMX Woodhall. Beef Cows (96) averaged 195.07p to a 254.0p per kilo for a 752kg LIMX from Stanley and £2050 for a 838kg SIMX Nether Strathkinnes. In the breeding cattle bulls saw a joint top of £4000 and including a Simm from Tartraven.
In a sale of 546 store cattle at Sedgemoor on 5th June, heifers peaked at £1675 for a Simmental from SJ Sibley, Beaminster.
At a sale of weaned cattle at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 5th June, a great entry of 310 stirks forward was topped by Messrs Vaughan, High Dovecote who sold the top price, a Simmental bull, for £1450.
At Market Drayton’s sale of store cattle on 5th June, the heifers were topped at £1305 for a 480kg Simmental from Mr D.A. Lockett.
TWO-MONTH-OLD SIMMENTAL LEADS CARLISLE CALVES AT £605
On 5th June Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly sale of calves at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. Topping the trade was Messrs Sanderson, Graden Farm, Kelso with Simmentals at £605 for a 2-month-old calf.
In a sale of rearing calves at Truro on 5th June, the heifers were topped by a Simmental x to £340 for Messrs A D & J A Bray of St Martin, Helston, who had further Simmental heifers at £310, & £300.
At a sale of barren, OTM, and feeding cows at Bakewell on 3rd June, the trade topped at 256p for a 530kg Simmy from CJ Stone.
At Ballymena on 3rd June, cows sold to 211p/kg for a Sim at 660kg and to a top of £1660 per head for the same cow from a Swatragh producer.
On 3rd June, Market Drayton’s sale of barren cows, cull bulls, and overage clean cattle saw in the clean cattle steers traded to 216p twice for Simmentals (£1,460.16 and £1,317.60) from The Sidebottom Family, Mottram St Andrew.
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held a special sale of breeding cattle in conjunction with their weekly sale of cast cattle and store stock on Monday 3rd June 2024. The top five prices all came from J Sisterton, Newlands Haugh with a super run of Simmental, AA, and Hereford heifers and second calvers suckling young calves selling away between £2500 and £2600.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 1st June, cows with bull calves at foot were topped by a Simm from T H & A Pickard, Bolton By Bowland at £1850. In calf cows sold to £1280 for Simmental x from Stephen Duckworth, Haslingden.
At Dalmally on 1st June, United Auctions held a sale of breeding cattle. Heifers with calves at foot were topped by Barguillean with SimX at £2600, £2500, and others at £2050.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 8, 2024 | 2024 News, 2024 Market Briefs, 2024
SEDGEMOOR; ABERDEEN; GISBURN; STIRLING; DUNGANNON; CARLISLE; MONMOUTHSHIRE; TRURO; AYR; SALISBURY; MARKET DRAYTON; LANARK; FROME; SKIPTON; OSWESTRY; BAKEWELL; PENRITH; SEDGEMOOR; THAME; BALLYMENA; EXETER; ST BOSWELLS; DARLINGTON; AND DALMALLY.
In this latest set of market briefs, hard-working Simmental sired cattle are continuing to do the business and top store, prime, breeding, and calf sales around the UK. Where they are not Simmental sired, many other sale top prices are out of Simmental females! Simmental genetics continuing to add value, flexibility, efficiency, and profitability for commercial producers.
Here’s the second part of three posts covering the month of June:
A strong sale of rearing calves at Market Drayton on 19th June saw the top call of £470 going jointly to a Simmental heifer from S&M Huxley & Sons.
At Dungannon Farmers Mart on 19th June, fat cows sold to a top of £1890 for a 760kg Sim (249.00) presented by G Newell.
In a sale of prime and feeding bulls at Frome on 19th June, suckler bred Simmental bulls from TJ Rowland Farms led the way at 253p/kg and 248p/kg, grossing £1796 and £1782.
At Skiptons Fortnightly Sale of Young Feeding Bulls, Store Bullocks & Heifers, and Breeding Cattle, on 19th June, young bulls were topped by Simmentals at £1980, £1650 from E&M Fairhurst and to a leading average of £1815. Simmentals also led the averages for store heifers at £1450, with RD Elliott attaining prices of £1550 £1510 £1500 £1450 £1430 £1400.
In a sale of calves and weanlings at Oswestry on 19th June, a nice show of stirks forward topped at £555 for a trio of Simmental bullocks from the James family.
At a sale of prime bulls at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 17th June, a 949kg Simmental from Messrs Ryder, Holme House, Carlisle sold to £2348.28 purchased by A & D Meats, and to feature in the top prices.
Bakewell held a sale of 112 barren, OTM, and feeding cows on 17th June. Leading the trad was an 800kg Simmental cow that made £1784 for Messrs Renshaw & Brassington.
On 17th June, Penrith & District Farmers’ Mart LLP held their fortnightly Sale of 167 Store Cattle & Feeding Bulls of all classes. Dalemain Estates topped the heifer section at £1785 for a twenty-four-month-old pure-bred Simmental, selling to Mr A Skelton.
On 17th June and a sale of weaned calves at Salisbury Livestock Market, four month old Simmental steers led the way at £530 from B G Newman & Partners, Sherfield English.
In a sale of calves at Sedgemoor on 15th June, beef from dairy topped at £505 for a month old Simmental bull from KP Silverthorne.
SIMMENTALS TOP ALL SIX CATEGORIES AT THAINSTONE BREEDING CATTLE SALE
Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 142 Head of Adult Breeding Cattle on 14th June. Heifer with Bull Calf sold to £2850 for a Simmental Heifer with a Simmental Cross Bull Calf from Floors Farm, Grange. Heifer with Heifer Calf sold to £3000 for a Simmental Heifer with Twin Heifer Calves from Floors, Grange. Cow with Bull Calf sold to £2900 for a five-year-old Simmental Cow with a Simmental Cross Bull Calf from Floors, Grange. Cow with Heifer Calf sold to £2950 for a Simmental Cross Cow with her second calf from Crannabog, Rothienorman. In Calf Cows & Heifers sold to £2150 for a November Calving Simmental Heifer from Floors Farm, Grange. Breeding Bulls sold to 5200gns for a 4 Year Old Simmental Bull from Floors Farm, Grange.
Also on 14th June at Thainstone, and a sale of 383 store cattle, young bulls, and young weaned calves, Bulls sold to a top of 286.6p per kg for a 506kg Simmental from Lagavaich, Glenlivet.
At Thame Farmers Auction Mart on 14th June saw feeding cows from Olivia Bacon sold to £1335 for Simmental x.
At Thainstone on 13th June, Aberdeen & Northern Marts held a sale of cast cows and bulls forward from Orkney consignors. Beef Cows Sold to £1,750 gross for a 806kg Simmental from Firm of Paterson, Veltigar, Tankerness.
On 12th June, United Auctions, Stirlling sold 492 store cattle & young bulls, 165 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls & 442 Breeding cattle. Heifers (263) averaged 281.40p and to £1650 for a 613kg SIMX from Temples. Beef Cows (136) averaged 194.53p to 270.30p per kilo for a 418kg SIMX from Bemersyde. Stock Cows & Calves – Glenturk (dispersal of commercial herd) saw Sim & BCF £3000×2, £2800×2 & £2700. Sim & HCF £3000 £3000×2, £2900×2, £2800×5 & £2700×2. Herd Average- 37 cows & calves £2,664.86. Stock Cows & Calves Marvingston (Dispersal) saw Sim & HCF £2900 & £2000×4. Cows and calves were in good bloom selling to a busy ringside of buyers from all over Scotland which were all going back into breeding herds.
At Dungannon Farmers Mart on 12th June, fat cows sold to a top of £1740 for a 725kg Sim (240.00) presented by J Casey, selling at £1540 was a 720kg Sim (214.00) from D Bell.
An electric trade of calves and weanlings at Oswestry on 5th June saw Simmental bulls to £475 and heifers to £402 all aged 5-6 months, from J R James & Son, Church Farm.
At Frome’s sale of prime cattle on 12th June, the trade for UTM steers saw a top gross price of £1828 for a 686kg Simmental from TJ Rowland Farms.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 8, 2024 | 2024 News, 2024 Market Briefs, 2024
SEDGEMOOR; ABERDEEN; GISBURN; STIRLING; DUNGANNON; CARLISLE; MONMOUTHSHIRE; TRURO; AYR; SALISBURY; MARKET DRAYTON; LANARK; FROME; SKIPTON; OSWESTRY; BAKEWELL; PENRITH; SEDGEMOOR; THAME; BALLYMENA; EXETER; ST BOSWELLS; DARLINGTON; AND DALMALLY.
In this latest set of market briefs, hard-working Simmental sired cattle are continuing to do the business and top store, prime, breeding, and calf sales around the UK. Where they are not Simmental sired, many other sale top prices are out of Simmental females! Simmental genetics continuing to add value, flexibility, efficiency, and profitability for commercial producers.
Here’s the first part of three posts covering the month of June:
At Sedgemoor on 29th June and a sale of calves, a superb run of Simmental bulls for DE Down & Son reached £425 at 1m, when others sold to £405 (2x) for the same vendor. Simmental heifers from the same vendor sold to the joint heifer top price of £365 for a 1m calf.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 371 Store Cattle, Young Bulls, Young and Weaned Calves and Breeding Cattle at Thainstone on 28th June. Bulls sold to £1340 gross for a 526kg Simmental Cross from Candyglirach, Drumoak. Cows with Calves at Foot sold to £1750 for a Simmental Cow with twin calves from Candyglirach, Drumoak.
In a sale of breeding cattle at Gisburn on 29th June, bulls were first in the ring and sold to a high of £2250 for a 16mo Simmental from R & L Loftus.
In a sale of prime cattle at Caledonian Marts, Stirling on 27th June, Young Bulls sold to £2198 for a Simm from W Young, Templehall.
Gisburn’s sale of stirks on 27th June, saw the top of the trade being Thomas Atkins with his Fleckvieh and Simmental bullocks realising £900 at just 6–7-month-old.
SIMMENTALS TOP BULLOCKS & YOUNG BULLS AT UA, STIRLING
On 26th June at Stirling, United Auctions sold 291 store cattle & young bulls, 78 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. Bullocks (114) – Averaged 279.5p to 318.3p per kilo for a 333kg SIMX from Eden and £1860 for a 680kg SIMX from Harestonhill. Young Bulls averaged 245.15p to 266.3p per kilo for a 383kg SIMX from Mosston Muir.
Dungannon Farmers Mart on 26th June saw steers sell to £1980 for a 705kg Sim (281.00) presented by J Eakin.
On 26th June, Harrison and Hetherington held their monthly Beef Breeding sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle of heifers with calves at foot, breeding bulls, and bulling heifers. Bulling heifers topped at £1750 for a Simmental from Messrs Carter, Gerrard House. Messrs Morton, Church Farm sold a Simmental cross heifer for £1720 and £1700. At a sale of calves on the same day, two month Simmental Bulls sold to £630 from Messrs Roan, Boreland of Colvend, Dalbeattie.
On 26th June and a sale of young stirks/stores at Monmouthshire Livestock Auctioneers, an excellent entry of 118 young stores sold to a top in the steers from CD Cometson, Senghenydd, with 11 month Sim X steers (£1460-490kg).
At Truro on 26th June, cows and calves saw a fiery trade, with Simmental outfits leading the way at £1920 for Mr A Kemp of Truro.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 80 prime and cast cattle at their sale in Ayr on 25th June. Cows were topped at £1820 by a Simmental from Auchtygemmell.
At Salisbury Livestock Market on 25th June, and a sale of barren cows and bulls, beef cows topped the sale at up to 209.5p for a Simmental from Roly James off the Isle of Wight.
At a sale of store cattle on 24th June at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, bullocks sold to £1630 for Simmentals from A McKenzie, Ardgate.
Market Drayton’s sale of 185 store cattle on 24th June saw Cows and calves topped at £1,420 for a Simmental from JW.&PE. Painter, Howle. Heifers were led by a 656kg Simmental at £1,670.00 from Mr G. Martinez. A nice show of weanlings included 6 month Simmental steers to £780 from Graham Ward Farms, Madeley.
On 24th June Lawrie and Symington Ltd had forward 141 cattle comprising of 35 bullock and heifers, 50 cast cows and 56 calves and stirks at Lanark Market. Beef cows sold to £2110 per head for a Simm from Taylor, Skirling Craigs Farm, or to 236p/pk from the same home.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts on 20th June sold 34 Cows and Bulls to average £1459.12. Beef Feeding Cows averaged £1220 and sold to £1530 for a 692kg Simmental Cross from Haddoch Farm, Cairnie.
On 19th June, United Auctions, Stirling sold 230 store cattle & young bulls, 386 Breeding Cattle & 122 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls. OTM Bulls averaged 192.24p to 253.3p per kilo for a 754kg SIM from Kirkton of Mailler In the sale of breeding cattle, Simm stock cows with heifer calves at foot sold to £2450, and Simm cows with bull calves at foot to £2350, from Floors Farming. A stock bull from the same home made £3800.
by Nicky Moreton | Jun 25, 2024 | 2024 Scottish News, 2024 News, 2024 Royal Highland Show, 2024
• Super Simmental Saturday Sees The Breed Win Overall Individual, And Junior Interbreed Titles!
• Delfur Nifty Wins Junior Interbreed Championship, a first for the breed
• Backmuir win third consecutive Simmental Championship
• Corskie Namenco Takes Overall Reserve
• Simmental Places Overall Reserve in Interbreed Team of Four
• Delfur Nifty and Delfur Number1 Place Reserve in Interbreed Pairs
• Pitmudie Princeton Takes Reserve in Beefbreeder Interbreed
• Annick bred cattle win Both Male and Female Championships
Simmentals led the way at the 2024 Royal Highland Show with five Champion and Reserve awards secured in the Interbreeds from what was a terrific breed entry of animals in both strength and depth. On what will be remembered as a ‘super Simmental Saturday’ both the Overall Individual Interbreed, and also the Junior Interbreed awards were won in front of a packed ringside, on the third day of the show held between 20th – 23rd June.
Overall Individual Interbreed & Simmental Supreme Champion, Annick Ginger’s Lucia
It’s huge congratulations to Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, who secured the show’s blue riband Overall Individual Interbreed award with Annick Ginger’s Lucia, shown with her bull calf Backmuir Pompeii, sired by Backmuir Marksman. On the shows’ opening day, this 2020 born cow had successfully defended her Overall Simmental Championship in front of the judge Michael Durno of the noted Auchorachan herd, Glenlivet, Banffshire. In an incredible run at the Royal Highland for the Backmuir Herd, this win also secured a hat-trick of consecutive Simmental Championships initiated in 2022 by Islavale Lullaby, and remarkably where Annick Ginger’s Lucia was first ‘spotted’ when standing Overall Reserve.
Judging the Individual Interbreed was Mr Peter Watson, Banchory, Aberdeenshire and in tapping out Annick Ginger’s Lucia as his Champion, it marked the first time the Simmental breed had won this award since Robert Crawford with Tillylair Angela in 1995! Speaking afterwards Mr Watson said: “The Simmental was an easy first in my eyes, being a super powerful maternal cow, full of breed character. She’s an excellent advocate for the breed, and if you want a Simmental she has everything you are looking for.”
Individual Interbreed Championship Presentation
Pair of Simmental Aces! The Individual Interbreed Champion Annick Ginger’s Lucia (right), and the Individual Junior Interbreed Champion, Delfur Nifty.
Annick Ginger’s Lucia bred by the late Lachlan Quarm, Holehouse Farm, By Irvine, Ayrshire, was bought at the Annick herd’s Dispersal Sale in September 2022 for 16,000gns. In a testament to the quality of this herd, the Male Champion at the 2024 was Annick Nazareth 22, exhibited by Jim & Elizabeth Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, and who was also purchased as a calf at foot at the aforementioned sale.
2024 Royal Highland Simmental Judge, Michael Durno
In the Simmental judging Annick Ginger’s Lucia had initially come through a high-powered class to nudge her stablemate Brandane Lu Lu, purchased for 18,000gns at the Next Gen II Sale in Carlisle in 2022, into second place before moving on to win the Female Championship, and then the Overall. Commenting on his Overall Simmental Supreme Championship the judge Michael Durno said: “My choice of Champion is just everything you look for in a show cow. She has size and scale, width, and with soft fleshing. With a great udder, she’s very flashy, has such a presence, and just displays all of the maternal attributes of the Simmental breed.” More generally Michael Durno went on to add: “It’s been a great honour to have judged what was a tremendous show of Simmentals throughout the classes, many of whom went on to meet with well-deserved Interbreed successes. I’d like to congratulate the Simmers in winning the prestigious Individual Interbreed award, and to say a big well done to all of the exhibitors. The Simmental breed is in very good shape and is clearly improving year on year.”
For the Simmers family the Individual Interbreed title added to what is a truly incredible Royal Highland Show record. In only four showings with Simmentals at Ingliston the Backmuir herd now has three Overall titles, and one Reserve! Commenting on winning the Individual Interbreed, and the Simmental Championship, Reece Simmers said: “The Royal Highland Show is the pinnacle of pedigree showing. To win the Individual Interbreed title of a show with some 180 years history, and to have the Backmuir name sit alongside some of the most recognised names in pedigree cattle history is quite humbling and just everything you dream of. We are personally over the moon and really delighted for the Simmental breed at the same time. There’s a tremendous standard across the show and within the Simmental classes which is just great to see.”
Of the Champion Reece went on to say: “Annick Ginger’s Lucia has just matured into herself, continued to improve, and we think has moved to another level this year. She’s a great example of a modern type of Simmental and an aspiration for us to breed and build on this type of quality. We’ve met with great success in recent years and a next challenge for us will be to try and have a further win at some point with a homebred animal. We’d also like just to acknowledge and recognise the ability of Lachlan Quarm and the achievement for him in having the breeding behind both the Overall, and Male Champion at this year’s show, it’s a great credit to the memory of him.” As things stand, the plans are that Annick Ginger’s Lucia will now head to Turriff and the Scottish Simmental National Show in August.
At last year’s show, Annick Ginger’s Lucia was shown with her heifer calf at foot Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P). Roll on twelve months and this September 2022 born heifer was shown in her own right and picked up the Reserve Junior Female award and also featured in the Reserve Interbreed Team of Four. With a show track record behind her, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P), by Kilbride Farm Karl (P), won the Overall Senior Interbreed & Simmental Senior Champion awards at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show.
Reserve Junior Female, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia
Described by many observers as perhaps the most successful Royal Highland Show the breed has enjoyed, the Simmental breed secured the following awards: The Overall Individual Interbreed; the Junior Interbreed; Reserve in the Interbreed Team of Four; Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs; and Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed. A tremendous achievement by all of the exhibitors, and reflective of the quality and continuous improvement within the Simmental breed.
Corskie Namenco, Reserve Overall Supreme
The Simmental classes and Championships proved to be very much a ‘ladies day’ with a fantastic show of Simmental females throughout. Taking the Overall Reserve Supreme, and Reserve Overall Female Championship was the classy Corskie Namenco from another strong show team forward from WJ&J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. April 2022 born, Corskie Namenco by Kilbride Farm Haka and out of Corskie Framenco, had placed as the Reserve Junior Female at last year’s show. Of his Overall Reserve, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is a really long, complete, smooth fleshed Simmental. With a lovely head, and full of breed character, she’s just full of forward potential and is a tremendous heifer.”
Junior Interbreed Champion, and Simmental Junior Champion, Delfur Nifty
It was a stellar show for Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, and herd manager Garry Patterson, who on the Thursday secured the Overall Simmental Junior award with their November 2022 born heifer, Delfur Nifty. Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. Come ‘super Simmental Saturday’ Delfur Nifty won the coveted Junior Interbreed title, a first for the Simmental breed, from the judge Robert McNee, Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee. Bagging a haul of show titles Delfur Nifty had partnered team mate Delfur Number1, who had himself stood second in his class to the Male Champion, to place Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs on Friday. Both of these animals also featured in the strong Simmental Team of Four alongside Annick Ginger’s Lucia and Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P), and who picked up the Reserve Overall Interbreed Team. A little further icing on the cake saw Delfur Nifty, Delfur Number1, and Delfur Weigela N12 team up to win the Group of Three.
Winning Delfur Group of three
Having awarded the Junior Interbreed title to Delfur Nifty, the judge Robert McNee said: “This is a really smart young heifer. I liked her overall balance, correctness, and her evenness of flesh throughout, without being too extreme. She has all the makings of being a tremendous brood cow.”
Another with a show pedigree behind her, Delfur Nifty had previously won the Overall Pedigree Championship at LiveScot in November 2023, the Reserve Senior Female at Stars of the Future, and prior to that the Simmental Youngstock Championship at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
Speaking afterwards, Delfur Herd Manager Garry Patterson said: “It’s amazing to have a few days like this at such a prestigious show as the Royal Highland and with there being such a high level of competition. It’s still very early days for me at Delfur so I feel very proud that we’ve managed to achieve so much this year. This is only the second time Delfur have ever been to the Royal Highland with the previous occasion being 2005 and where I believe the herd may also have won the Simmental Male Championship and the Group of Three.”
With specific regard to Delfur Nifty Garry went on to say: “Delfur Nifty was a stand-out calf from day one but for her now to win the Junior Individual Interbreed is quite special. I hope that’s a benchmark and that we can go on to breed many more like her at Delfur. With her featuring in the Reserve Interbreed Pair with Delfur Number1, and again in the Reserve Interbreed Team of Four, it all just added up to being a fantastic show and great experience.” From here, there are still a few shows this summer for Delfur Nifty to take aim at.
The Overall Male Champion, Annick Nazareth 22
In the bulls it was a fantastic win for Scottish Simmental Club Chairman Jim Dyet, and his wife Elizabeth, of the Merkland Herd, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire who won the Male Championship with Annick Nazareth 22. Purchased as a calf at foot for 7500gns (for the unit) at the Annick Dispersal Sale, Annick Nazareth 22 is out of Annick Fresias Kiki who herself was Female and Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal Highland in 2021. Commenting on his Male Champion, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is just a really good, smooth fleshed bull, and very correct on his legs. He’s a bull with no extremes but with a real carcase quality.”
A delighted, and a wee bit emotional, Jim Dyet firstly paid a fitting tribute to the breeder Lachlan Quarm and commented: “Lachlan was so good at turning out young cattle and this one along with the Champion, and this show, will be part of his legacy. I’m sure there will be a few further Annick bred cattle to be seen in the show ring in years to come. We took Annick Nazareth to the Scottish National Show at Dumfries last year and where he achieved the Reserve Junior Male. He’s been out once this year at a local show where Wee John (9) showed him in the Young Handlers and that’s how good a temperament this boy has. We’ve only shown a few times at the Highland and go as much for the fun and enjoyment of meeting great people and seeing great cattle. To win the Male Championship at the Highland is by far the highlight of our showing career and it really doesn’t get much better than this!”
Reserve Male Champion, and Junior Male Champion, Corskie Puma 23 (P)
Winning the Reserve Male Championship and also the Junior Male Championship was another from the Corskie team in the shape of Corksie Puma 23 (P). This January born bull, with length, width, and shape, is by Rathnashan Kellogg’s (ET) (P) EX94, and is out of Corskie Kit, an Auchorachan Farmer daughter. This was Corskie Puma’s first show outing, and he will enjoy the summer show season before being aimed at the Stirling October Bull Sale.
Reserve Junior Male Champion, Backmuir Pegasus
The Reserve Junior Bull came from the same class in the form of Backmuir Pegasus 23, and again from the Backmuir team of Reece & Andrew Simmers. January 2023 born, this calf by Atlow Dixon and out of the 18,000gns Brandane Lu Lu, had previously stood Junior Male Champion at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show.
Pitmudie Princeton, Overall Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed
Keeping the Simmental Interbreed successes going, the young April 2023 bull Pitmudie Princeton from Heather Duff, Pitmudie Farm By Brechin placed Overall Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed held on Friday morning. April 2023 born, Pitmudie Princeton is by Hiltonstown Irish 17, and is out of Pitmudie Babe, who has produced a number of good bulls for the herd. Combining performance figures with phenotype for this Interbreed, Pitmudie Princeton was described as: “A muscly type of bull with good growth, Princeton is very clean, with good lines, and has plenty of breed character.” Immediate plans ahead will see Pitmudie Princeton aimed at a few further summer shows in the season.
It was a truly memorable five-star 2024 Royal Highland Show for the Simmental breed. It’s a huge congratulations to the Simmers for their tremendous success, and to all of the Interbreed winners and Simmental exhibitors across the board for putting on a fantastic promotion of the qualities of the British Simmental breed.
Overall Champions Presentation with Annick Ginger’s Lucia, and Corskie Namenco
Male Champion Annick Nazareth 22, and Reserve Male Corskie Puma 23 (P)
Junior Champion Delfur Nify, and Junior Reserve Annick Lucia’s Nicosia
Junior Male Champions Corskie Puma 23 (P), and Reserve, Backmuir Pegasus
Reserve Interbreed Pair, Delfur Nifty & Delfur Number1
Reserve Interbreed Team Champions
Interbreed Pairs Reserve Champions Delfur Nifty & Delfur Number1 with Iain Millar (judge), on the right.
Royal Highland Show
Thursday 20th June 2024
Simmental Judge: Mr Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindaloch
Results
Class 263 Female, born on or after 1st April 2023
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Pearl
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Primrose
3rd W J & J Green Corskie Private Eyes
4th The Burns Family Islavale Peaches
Popes Trixies Pearl
Class 264 Female, Born between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Prudence
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Pandora
3rd W J & J Green Corskie P-Enna
4th Croft Livestock Clonagh Regal Fortune
Popes Trixies Prudence
Class 265 Female, born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2022
1st Delfur Farms Delfur Nifty
2nd R & A Simmers Annick Lucia’s Nicosia
3rd Delfur Farms Delfur Weigela N12
4th Laura Green Garmouth Fame’s Nicole
Class 266 Female, born on or between 1st January and 30th June 2022
1st W J & J Green Corskie Namenco
2nd J H & V G Wood Popes Princess Noor
3rd R & A Simmers Backmuir Eva’s Neva
4th J & E Dyet Merkland Tooty 3rd
Corskie Miley
Class 267 Female, calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in milk or in calf born in 2021
1st W J & J Green Corskie Miley
2nd J & P Goldie Newbiemains My Girl
Class 268 Female, Born in 2019 or 2020 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st R & A Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
2nd R & A Simmers Brandane Lu Lu
3rd Gavin Brown Islavale Liquorice
Newbiemains Icandy
Class 269 Female, born on or after 31st December 2018, in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st J & P Goldie Newbiemains Icandy
2nd 2910 W J & J Green Corskie Jasmine
Female Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R & A Simmers
Reserve Female Champion
Corskie Namenco W J & J Green
Junior Female Champion
Delfur Nifty Delfur Farms
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Annick Lucia’s Nicosia R & A Simmers
Strathisla Pentagon
Class 270 Bull born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Strathisla Farms Strathisla Pentagon
2nd W J & J Green Corskie Power
3rd Heather Duff Pitmudie Princeton
4th Gerald Smith Drumsleed Paddy
Class 271 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st W J & J Green Corskie Puma
2nd R & A Simmers Backmuir Pegasus
3rd J H & V G Wood Popes Power
4th Heather Duff Pitmudie Pitcairn
Class 272 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2022
1st J & E Dyet Annick Nazareth
2nd Delfur Farms Delfur Number1
3rd R & A Simmers Backmuir Nightrider
Male Champion
Annick Nazareth J & E Dyet
Reserve Male
Corskie Puma 23 (P) WJ&J Green
Champion Junior Male
Corskie Puma 23 (P) W J & J Green
Reserve Junior Male
Backmuir Pegasus R & A Simmers
Overall Supreme Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R & A Simmers
Reserve Overall Champion
Corskie Namenco W J & J Green
Group of Three Delfur Farms
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