by Nicky Moreton | May 22, 2025 | 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
SIMMENTALS TOPPING SALES AT: TRURO; HOLSWORTHY; MARKET DRAYTON; SEDGEMOOR; MELTON MOWBRAY; FROME; SALISBURY; THAME; LANCASTER; THAINSTONE; RUGBY; AYR; THIRSK; STIRLING; CARLISLE; OSWESTRY; MONMOUTHSHIRE; DINGWALL; BAKEWELL; QUOYBRAE; HUNTLY; GISBURN; LANCASTER; CROOKLANDS; LUDLOW; HALLWORTHY; HEXHAM; LANARK; SELBY; LERWICK; EXETER; & BALLYMENA
Industry figures show, calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires, and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires.
The average daily carcase gain (DCG) of the progeny of a Simmental bull out of all dams is 4.6% better than the DCG of the progeny of a Continental sire out of all dams, and 17.5% better than the DCG of the progeny of a native sire out of all dams.
Add to that the maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year and pound for pound, there’s more to Simmental!
The Simmental breed continues to do the business at commercial sales around the UK showing its all-round abilities, efficiency, flexibility, and added value.
Here we catch up on the Simmental Market Briefs from April and highlight Simmental cattle leading store; prime; breeding; calf; and cull sale sections at some 32 UK livestock markets.
There’s more to Simmental with the combination of leading age at slaughter; leading daily carcase gain; and the benchmark maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year.
Nothing finishes faster than a Simmental! Industry figures over ten years shows calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires, and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires.
A Simmental sire over your cows gives you more! The average daily carcase gain (DCG) of the progeny of a Simmental bull out of all dams is 4.6% better than the DCG of the progeny of a Continental sire out of all dams, and 17.5% better than the DCG of the progeny of a native sire out of all dams.
Add in the maternal attributes of milk, fertility, easy calving, temperament, and ability to rear a quality, growthy calf year on year and pound for pound, and you’ve got all-round money making Simmentals. There’s more to Simmental!
Simmental breeding females were on fire, in numbers, at a sale of 333 adult breeding cattle at ANM Group Ltd’s Thainstone Centre on 30th April. Cows (21) sell to a top of £8200 for a pure Simmental cow with a Simmental bull calf at foot from W G Macpherson, Blackford, Croy. The same vendor also topped the section of cows with heifer calf (31) with another pure Simmental cow with Simmental heifer calf at foot selling at £5900. Bulling Heifers (122) sold to a top of £3850 for a pair of tremendous 19-month-old Simmental heifers from A D Sutherland & Sons, Connachie, Kellas, and some £1100 above the section average of £2750. The section of In Calf Cows (9) sold to a top of £2000 for a Simmental from Whiteinches, Pitcaple.
Simmentals featured strongly throughout the sections and the depth of the trade and demand for Simmental breeding is highlighted by the leading (Simmental) prices here:
Heifer with Bull Calf: SimX – Ardhuncart, Kildrummy £4900, Auchtygall £4850, £4800 (X2); Sim – South Blachrie, Fyvie £4850.
Heifer with Heifer Calf: SimX – South Blachrie £4950, £4900 (X2), £4800 (X2), Auchtygall £4800, Rennieshill, Newmachar £4700; Sim – Auchtygall £4900;
Cow with Bull Calf: Sim – Whitehouse, Lumphanan £4350, Crudie Farm, Arbroath £4300, £4050; SimX – Whitehouse £4250, Crudie Farm £4000;
Cow with Heifer Calf: SimX – Whitehouse £4200; Sim – Crudie Farm £4200, £4000, £3950;
Bulling Heifers: SimX – Connachie, Kellas £3850, £3350, £3300, £3250; Brodieshill, Alves – £3600, £3500, £3400; Northton, Cullerlie £3200, £3150.
At Truro Livestock Market’s sale of store cattle on 30th April, a super trade from start to finish, topped at £2525 on behalf of Mr D Moyle of Camborne for his stand out single Simmental steer.
In a sale of 210 store cattle at Holsworthy on 30th April, top on the day was £2560 for a Simmental from Mr S Norman, Dolton
At Market Drayton on 30th April, a Simmental bull (24 months) from George Wainwright made £4960.
At a sale of 209 finished and forward cattle at Sedgemoor on 30th April, steers sold to £2808.20 for a 760kg Simmental from CHJ Atwell & Sons, Claverham.
In a sale at Melton Mowbray on 29th April, the bulls saw a Simmental bull from JR Goddard reaching £3650 selling David Johnson and featuring in the top prices.
At Frome on 28th April, and a sale of 104 calves, a cracking run of Simmentals from M Carver & Son saw £560 and £550 and Simmental heifers flying to £498 and £485. Simmental heifers from NAC Taylor to £460.
In a sale of young stores at Salisbury on 28th April, topping the charts was a wonderful run of fed 12 m.o. Simmental stores from regular sender Nick Doggrell, these quality sorts saw heifers sell to £1600, steers to £1850, £2110, £2130 and £2410, an exceptional result.
On 25th April, and a sale of store cattle at Frome, in the young continentals the Marklove family producing some outstanding homebred suckled Simmentals these best of types 10mo saw amazing prices with steers £1650 – £1880, their heifers £1310. Hard Dairy x Simmental steers (11-15mo) from Nigel Hitchens easily to £1620. Forward heifers equally sought after with Simmental heifers to £2450 (24mo) again from HJ Marklove.
At Thame’s sale of 508 store cattle on 25th April, M/S EW & JE Masters topped the heifers at £2300 and £2280 for homebred Simmentals.
Lancaster’s sale of store cattle on 25th April incorporated the monthly sale of stirks with these considered an unbelievable trade. Heifers topped at £1400 for a Simmental at nine months old from WJ&EA Woodhouse, Nateby. A pair of Simmental bullocks from WJ&EA Woodhouse, Nateby, to £1600 at ten months old.
In a sale of prime cattle at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts, on 24th April, under 30 month – prime bullocks sold to £3227 gross for an 870kg Simmental Cross from Woodbank, Drumblade. 30 to 36 month – bullocks sold to £2844.35 gross for an 815kg Simmental Cross from Mains of Corsegight, New Deer.
A sale of baby calves at Rugby on 24th April saw the top price going to Andrew Hall and a Simmental Bull Calf realising £580, other prices of note £560 & £510 for Peter Hemmings Simmental Heifers.
At Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd’s Ayr market on 24th April, Simmentals topped both the bullocks and the heifers in a sale of 433 store cattle. Top price of the day was £2840 for a Simmental Heifer off Stoopshill. Bullocks peaked at £2820 for four Simmentals from the same vendor.
Thirsk’s sale of 230 cattle on 24th April saw the top price of the day achieved by Chris & James Burton of Cottam, with an outstanding, 98m, Simmental X cow, weighing 793kg, topping the pounds per head at £2740 and being purchased by Morgan Helliwell, Rochdale.
At Stirling on 23rd April, United Auctions sold 2326 Store & Native Bred Cattle and 170 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Leading Simmental prices in the bullocks included: Neuk £2600, Gilmanscleugh 519.0p; Wester Mye £2570, Little Aiden 513.0p; Drummie £2540, Callendoune 508.40p. Leading Simmental heifer prices included: Garvald Mains £2720, Grange of Lindores 516.40p; Grange of Lindores £2520, Oatridge 504.00p. In a sale of rearing cattl, Stirling stirks still on fire with 5 month old Dairy X Simm stirks to £1380.
In a sale of store cattle at Truro on 23rd April, the section for one year old heifers was topped at £1810 for Simmentals from Mr J Gregory of Chacewater, truro. In a sale of rearing calves on the same day, another fantastic trade, with a ringside full of buyers saw the best of the bull calves racing away to £720 for a 12 week old Simmental x bull sold by Messrs L W & S Hosken from Helston.
On 23rd April, Harrison and Hetherington held their weekly sale of weaned bulls and stirks at Carlisle. Store bulls break Ring 4 record with T & C Todd, Wyndham House selling a 14 month Fleckvieh bull, away for breeding at £3500.
Oswestry on the 23rd April saw the dispersal of the Pickhill Old Hall suckler herd of the Ormrod family. Within that a fantastic run of 50 store cattle from the herd sold at the end of the catalogue met a tremendous trade topping the sale with some Simmental bullocks weighing 340kgs at 553ppk. Top price for steers in the store sale lump was £2580 for a 24-month-old Simmental from J Hamlet, The Marches. British Blue and Simmental steers 6 -7 months sold to 515ppk from D Clay, Cross Lanes Farm.
At Monmouthshire on 23rd April, and a sale of store cattle, grazing sorts continue to be easy to place and sold to 494p/kg (£1780-360kg) for Simmental crosses from S Goldsmith, Glascoed.
At Salisbury on 22nd April and a sale of finished cattle, heifers sold to 378.5p for Stuart Morgan’s very tidy Simmentals.
At Dingwall on 22nd April, Dingwall & Highland Marts sold 875 store cattle and 91 OTM cattle. Heifers (479) sold to £3,200 gross for a 630kg Simmental from Blackford Farm, Croy. Young Bulls sold to £2,160 gross for a 545kg Simmental from Blackford Farm, Croy.
On 22nd April, Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 102 Prime and Cast Cattle at their sale in Ayr. Prime Cattle sold sharper again with more quality forward. Clean Heifers sold to £2550 (418p) for a Simmental from J McCornick, Drumjargon.
Bakewell’s sale of finished cattle on 22nd April saw a top of 422p or £2844 for a smart suckler bred Simmy from Kevin Atkin (Atkin Bros) Barrow on Trent.
At Quoybrae on 21st April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 332 store cattle. Heifers (128) averaged 453.7p per kg and sold to 554.9per kg for a pen of 364kg Simmentals from Ha, Durran and sold to £2,360 for a 564kg Simmental Cross from Roadside, Kirk.
On 21st April at Borderway, Carlisle, and a sale of cast cows and stock bulls, Messrs Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm sold the top priced Simmental cow for 909kg, 323.5ppk or £2940 to Morgan Helliwell.
United Auctions on 19th April at Huntly sold 714 store cattle and OTMS. OTMS sold to a top gross of £2580 for a 980kg SimX from East-Brae, Grange.
On 19th April and a sale of store cattle at Gisburn, feeding bulls met a strong trade as expected. Peaking the trade at £2550 was J Butterworth with a strong 14mo Simmental.
In a sale of 506 busk calves and stirks at Sedgemoor on 19th April, bulls sold to £1350 (2x only 7m) for pure bred Simmentals from R Ridout.
At Lancaster’s sale of store cattle on 18th April, bullocks continue to sell to extreme rates. Top price was £2820 for a single Fleckvieh from EJ Hodgson, Lambrigg.
At Thainstone on 18th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1436 store cattle, young bulls and young and weaned calves. An excellent entry of Store Cattle sold to a top of £2870 for a 714kg Simmental Cross Heifer from Messrs Nicolson, Relugas Mains, Dunphail. Bulls (20) sold to £2310 gross for a pair of 564kg Simmentals from Drumsleed, Fordoun.
In a sale of 455 store cattle at Thame on 18th April, feeding cows sold to £2740 for Simmental X.
In a sale of store cattle on 18th April at Frome, and in the young continentals, AAM farms Yeovil had a wonderful consignment of 40 homebred single suckled Charolais and Simmental heifers (11-12mo). All had good conformation and growth and were wanted with their first 5 pens all over £1500 and topping at a whopping £1610!! Real quality 11mo Simmental steers from N R Hitchens Paulton commanded fierce bidding selling to a terrific £1700!
At Ludlow on 18th April, and a sale of TB restricted store cattle, Simmental X Steers topped at £2450, with others at £2290.
At Thainstone on 17th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 53 prime cattle. Young Bulls sold to £3437.40 gross for a 1020kg Simmental from Berryleys, Grange.
320 store cattle at Hallworthy on 17th April saw AP & DJ House of St Issey steal the show with an outstanding run of Simmental x Cattle. Their top a pair of 23 month Simmental x Steers deep and long bodied to £2660 next a trio of similar types away at £2440.
At Stirling on 16th April, United Auctions sold 2038 Store Cattle and 174 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Beef Cows (136) averaged 294.85p to 401.6p per kilo for a 620kg Simm from High Mathernock. Simm bullocks topped at Balegreggan £2860 £2680, Balgonar 536.80p; and with Simm heifers at £2500, Innerwick. OTM cows topped at 401.60p for a Simm from High Mathernock.
On 16th April and a sale of prime cattle at Frome, a good show of meat and finish in the steer section topping at 398p/kg for Simmental x from CW Butcher & Son grossing £2305.
In a sale of barren cows and bulls at Salisbury on 15th April, Simmentals led the way at up to 319.5p (£2380.28) from Sid and Jinty Brown, 284.5p from James Whittle and 275p from Bruce Horn. On the same day and a sale of young stores 6-11 months, continentals took ‘all the glory’. Simmental stores from the Russell family sold at an extraordinary £1880, and £1720 for steers.
On 15th April at Hexham, young bulls were topped at £1690, and 361.5p per kg by Newsham Grange.
Bakewell’s sale of young bulls on 14th April saw Tom Robinson, Abney with the top price of 400p or £3048 for a suckler bred Simmy.
In a sale of calves and stirks at Lanark on 14th April, on milk calves were topped by a Simmental x bull calf from Stewart, Balglass Farm, reaching £700.
At Sedgemoor on 14th April, and a sale of barren cows and OA bulls, a Simmental from J Popham (1120kg & FA) met £3500 exactly when sold to 312.5ppk.
At Carlisle on 14th April and a sale of cast cows and stock bulls, Messrs Goldie, Townfoot Farm sold the top priced Simmental cow for 910kg, 323.5p, £2943 to Morgan Helliwell. Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe Farm sold a Simmental cow for 795kg, 337.5p, £2683, also to Morgan Helliwell.
On 14th April, and a sale of barren cows, bulls, and overage clean cattle at Market Drayton, young restricted bulls selling on a very competitive trade peaked at 392p or £3,473.12 for Simmental from The Huxley Family, Horsemans Green.
At Sedgemoor on 14th April and a sale of 317 calves, top of the day of £860 for a trio of Simmental bulls as part of a smart consignment for DE Down & Son, who sold another to £705, all 2 months.
Selby’s sale of store cattle on 12th April saw the section within of OTMs/Cows topped by a Simm cow 794kg at £2262 from J Foulston & Sons.
At Thainstone on 11th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1516 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves inc organics. Young Bulls sold to 459.2p per kg for a pair of Simmental Cross from Tombreckachie, Glenlivet.
On 11th April at Frome’s sale of store cattle, demand stays strong for farm assured, good conformation forward cattle with well-presented Simmental steers setting the trade at £2410 from Willowbrook Farm of Melksham.
On 10th April at Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 154 Cows and Bulls to average £2426.46 or 314ppk. Beef Finished Cows (90) averaged £2,686.11 and sold to £3,440 for a 992kg Simmental Cross from East Cairnbeg, Laurencekirk.
A busy day at Rugby on 10th April and a sale of store cattle. Breeders kicked off at speed with C H Evans selling Simmental Cows 2021 with a 3m old Calf to £2900. In a sale of baby calves on the same day, top price was £560 for a Simmental Bull Calf from GTA Hall, Atherstone who also sold 6 others Bulls and Heifers all over the £500 mark.
At Lerwick on 9th April, Shetland Livestock Marketing Group in conjunction with Aberdeen & Northern Marts, sold 217 head of cattle. Cast Cows sold to £2290 for an 809kg Simmental Cross cow from Hellia, Aithsetter.
At a sale of weaned cattle at Borderway, Carlisle on 9th April, Bullocks sold to £2300 including a pen of 13 month old Simmentals from Auchengray Farms, New Abbey.
At Stirling on 9th April, United Auctions sold 2029 store cattle and 91 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls and 37 rearing cattle. Bullocks (1068) sold to a top price of £2800 for a 736kg Simm from Kirkland. Heifers (846) sold to £2720 for a 702kg Simm from East Revoch. In the rearing cattle, Kaimhill Farming sold x5 Simm stirks for £1250, and £1100 x4.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 112 Prime and Cast Cattle at their sale in Ayr on 8th April. Cast Cows sold to a top price per head of £2320 for a Simmental from Dunduff. Clean Cattle top price per head in the bullocks was a Simmental at £2060 from Adamcroft.
At Quoybrae on 7th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1,313 store cattle. Heifers (382) sold to £2,520 gross for a 568kg Simmental Cross from 11 Lochend Barrock.
On 7th April and a sale of barren, OTM, and feeding cows AT Bakewell, trade peaked at 390 pence for a 33 month old Simmental from Meadow Place Farms, Youlgreave.
In a sale of prime and forward cattle at Sedgemoor on 7th April, steers peaked at 420.5ppk for a lightweight Simmental (521kg) from V Young & Sons, Bristol, who sold more 412.5 (431 & 438kg) 409.5 (504kg) and 407.5ppk (510kg). In a sale of bulls, top of the day was for a very shapely Simmental Bull (1080kg & FA) which rose to 297.5ppk and grossed a neat £3,213 from RJ & GJ Tucker.
In a sale of 138 calves at Exeter on 4th April, Simmentals on fire. Top of the day was £800 for the best of a cracking run of weaned Simmental bulls from Ross Govier of Longdown who sold others to £780, £760, £720 & £710.
At Hexham’s sale of store cattle on 4th April, mid range, grazing type cattle were in huge demand. Mr M Wallace, White Hills, Newton Stewart selling exceptionally well with a pen of three Simmental crosses cashing at £2330.00.
On 4th April and a sale of 566 weanlings at Market Drayton, heifers were in high demand with top price going to £1680 for a 12mo Simmental from RW Adams & Son, and £1270 for ten month old Simmentals from JE Freeman, Stafford. A nice packet of 5mo Simmentals sold for £910 from P Bennett & Son. The sale of 827 rearing calves saw an exceptional trade across all grades, with demand very high! Top price: £805 for a Simmental from J Gould & Son, Leek, with a further Simmental at £800 from WJ Holdcroft.
At Thainstone on 4th April, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1366 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Heifers (560) sold to £3200 gross for a Pen of Five 590kg Simmental Crosses from Law Farm, Insch.
On 4th April at Ballymena, a super entry of suckler cows sold to £3400 for a super Simmental cow in-calf to a Saler bull from T McMaster, Broughshane.
At Thainstone, Aberdeen and Northern Marts, on 3rd April sold 75 Prime Cattle. 30 to 36 Month – bullocks averaged 360.2p and sold to 395p per kg for a 680kg Simmental Cross from East Cairnorrie, Methlick. On the same day and a sale of 194 cows and bulls, bulls sold to £3970 for a 1330kg Simmental from Croftbain, Tomnavoulin.
At NWA’s Jct 36 Crooklands sale on 3rd April, the sky high store trade continued. Heifers hit £2300 for a Simmental from JF&C Saunders, Ulverston.
At Stirling on 2nd April, United Auctions sold 1757 Store Cattle and 114 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. Leading Simm prices in the bullocks included: Elsmcleugh & Barbarafield £2740, Little Ballo 529.40p, Yonderhaugh £2700 x2, Dinwoodie Green 521.00p, Briarlands £2680, Bogside 508.40p.
In a sale of prime cattle at Frome on 2nd April, the top price heifer was 379p/kg for a Simmental from AE Weaver & Son. Simmentals also topped the cull cows at 322p/kg from AL & DM Sage & Son, Claverton.
At Melton Mowbray on 2nd April and a sale of store and breeding cattle, pedigree Simmental Cow & Calf Outfits to £3500 for JR Goddard, Norwich; Pedigree Simmental Heifers to £3100 for JR Goddard, Norwich.
A sale of barren cows and bulls at Salisbury on 1st April saw another rip roaring trade as cows sold to 305.5p or £2428.73 for a grand Simmental from James Whittle.
by Iain | May 20, 2025 | 2025 Northern Ireland News, 2025 Balmoral Show, 2025 News, 2025
Ranfurly Weikel 56th Reserve Supreme, and Junior Champion
Lisglass Real Deal wins Male Championship
The sun shone on the Simmental breed and the first calved heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, who with her twin calves at foot, strode to a historic third consecutive Overall Simmental Supreme Championship at the RUAS Balmoral Show, Balmoral Park, Lisburn on Wednesday 14th August.
It was very much a win for the ages and which has seen this February 2022 born Simmental female win as a maiden heifer, in-calf heifer’ and now as a first calved heifer. Sired by the prolific Saltire Impressive and out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa, a Denizes Fantastic daughter and herself a twin to a female, Ballinalare Farm Nikita ‘wowed’ the crowds as she walked the lawns with her twins at foot.
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Overall Simmental Supreme Champion, Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Judge for the day was Michael Durno of the noted Auchorachan herd, Glenlivet, Banffshire, and who was quick to praise his choice of Champion: “Ballinalare Farm Nikita is a female with tremendous conformation and has all the typical Simmental attribute including of course, plenty of milk. As we’ve seen today she’s a calved heifer doing her twin calves extremely well and which is great to see in the show ring. She has tremendous length to her, is full of breed character including a really good Simmental head.”
Following the judging a delighted Joe Wilson said: “We’ve always thought Ballinalare Farm Nikita is a tremendous heifer but could never imagine that she would win Balmoral Show three years in a row. She was scanned in calf, but not with twins so when they appeared that was really unexpected. With her to win today with her calves at foot is very special.” Remarkably this is the second time the Wilsons have completed this show hat trick with a homebred animal having previously done so with Ballinalare Farm Money Penny between 2004-2006! Come the Interbreeds and Ballinalare Farm Nikita stood Overall Second Reserve in the Individual Supreme featuring all of the breed champions.
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Simmental Judge Michael Durno in action
Already with a glittering show career behind her Ballinalare Farm Nikita has these three Balmoral Show wins, and two consecutive wins at the NI Simmental National Show. All eyes will be on that event later this summer as Nikita takes aim at the double-hat trick!
2025 RUAS Simmental Championship Line Up featuring Ballinalare Farm Nikita, and Ranfurly Weikel 56th
Taking the Overall Reserve, Reserve Female, and Overall Junior Champion was Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 from the 17-cow Ranfurly herd of WD & JD Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon. March 2024 born, this heifer is by the 20,000gns Annick Talisker, and is the second calf out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter Ranfurly Weikel 37th L3 ™ VG 87. The Weikel family was founded in 2003 with the impromptu purchase of South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd , and is described as being ‘without doubt the most successful female line at Ranfurly’. At last year’s show another from the same line, Ranfurly Weikel 52nd won the Reserve Junior Champion.
Reserve Overall Supreme, Junior Champion, and Reserve Overall Female, Ranfurly Weikel 56th
Commenting on his Overall Reserve Champion, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is just a sweet, flashy heifer, very correct, full of style and ‘look at me.’ She came through a class where first to third were outstanding heifers. This young heifer has all the attributes to go on and become a tremendous Simmental breeding female.” Again featuring in the Interbreeds, Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 went on to place Overall Reserve in the Interbreed for Performance Recorded Heifers.
Standing second in its class to the Ranfurly heifer, and following her through to lift the Overall reserve Junior Championship was another classy heifer in the shape of Breaghey Vida-R536 from Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh. This March 2024 born heifer is another by Saltire Impressive and is out of Breaghey Vida 1 (TF), a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX92 daughter. At last year’s NI Four Breed Calf Show, Breaghey Vida-R536 teamed up with her stablemate Breaghey Vida-R454 (who stood third in the same class at Balmoral), to win the Pairs Championship. In a nice little aside, Vida-R536’s dam, Breaghey Vida 1 and her twin sister, were born on Andrew and Zara’s wedding day back in 2016. Since then she has gone on to breed Breaghey Lord Enniskillen, the Champion at the NI 50th Anniversary Sale in 2021; and she has bred both a Male, and a Female Champion for the Breaghey herd at Society Sales in Dungannon. For good measure her twin sister Breaghey Vida 2 bred Breaghey Netflix, the highest priced Simmental bull sold at sale in Northern Ireland in 2024!. This very successful cow family for the Breaghey herd stemmed from one of the herd’s foundation cows Corrick Vida who was Champion in Dungannon in the Spring of 2009.
Breaghey Vida 1, Reserve Junior Champion
Turning to the bulls and it was another Male Championship win for the 35-cow Lisglass herd of JL & CJ Weatherup, Irish Hill, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, with the aptly named Lisglass Real Deal 24. Continuing a theme, this September 2024 born bull is by Saltire Impressive, and is third calf out of the Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX92 daughter Lisglass Klassy. Showing plenty of fortitude and get up and go, shortly after calving and bonding with mum, Chris Weatherup quietly thought ‘wow, you really are the real deal’ and the name stuck. Commenting, Chris Weatherup said: “He’s a calf that’s continuing to go on strong. He’s done well all winter, just hasn’t looked back, and has a lovely temperament. He’s a bull that we’ll look at taking to a forward Stirling Sale.” The win secured a two-in-a-row for the herd who won the Male Championship at Balmoral Show last year with Lisglass Prince and who was subsequently sold to AJR Farm in Scotland. Another good day’s showing this year saw the Lisglass herd also win two of the heifer classes with Lisglass Panache, and Lisglass Rose.
Of his Male Champion the judge Michael Durno said: “This is a very correct young bull with great lines, and I’m sure he’s got a real future ahead of him. A young calf he’s well grown for his age, has length, is very clean, and has a nice turn of hind quarter.”
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Simmental Male Champion, Lisglass Real Deal
Lifting the Reserve Male Championship was the shapely Haystar Romeo 24 from G Hayes & Son, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim, and in what was a first time showing at Balmoral for Kyle Hayes. Earlier in the day this March 2024 born calf had won his class in front of his team mate Haystar Revolver (the Junior Champion at the 2024 NI Simmental Club Calf Show). Haystar Romeo is by the AI sire Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, and comes from ‘a tremendous bloodline’ being out of Raceview Lady W Nicolette, a Kilbride Farm Delboy 12 daughter. Of Haystar Romeo 24, Gavin Hayes said: “Romeo is a stylish, well-muscled bull, and one of the best we’ve bred to date. We’ll probably show him at the NI National Show, and then will aim him at Stirling.”
Haystar Romeo, Reserve Male Champion, 2025 RUAS Balmoral Show
Speaking to this bull the judge said: “A bull with plenty of muscle, he’s a tremendous terminal, carcase type Simmental, and with all the potential to go on to be a top end commercial bull at the least.” The Haystar herd presently comprises of seventeen cows.
Winning the Pairs Championship was Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, Co Tyrone with the August 2023 born heifer Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4th, a Simply Like A Legend 20 (ET) daughter; along with Bridgewater Farm Rocky, a July 2024 born bull by Ranfurly Klinker 19.
Simmental Pairs Champions Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4, and Bridgewater Farm Rocky
2025 Balmoral Show Simmental Results
Cow in calf or in milk having had calf by age of three years
1st J & A Wilson 145 Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Heifer born on or after 1st July 2023 and on or before 31st Dec 2023
1st JL & CL Weatherup 150 Lisglass Panache
Lisglass Panache
2nd J N Glasgow 148 Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4
3rd JL & CL Weatherup 149 Dermody Royal Lucy
4th S P Macdonald 147 Coolcran Lady Penelope
HEIFER, born on or after 1st January 2024 and on or before 30th April 2024
1st WD & JD Hazelton 154 Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
2nd Andrew Clarke 155 Breaghey Vida-R536
3rd Andrew Clarke 156 Breaghey Vida-R454
Breaghey Vida R454
4th Mr W J Dodd 152 Craigy Beatrice R1
5th Mr W J Dodd 151 Craigy Beatrice R2
HEIFER, born on or after 1st May 2024 and on or before 31st December 2024
1st JL & CL Weatherup 158 Lisglass Rose
Lisglass Rose
2nd J & A Wilson 157 Ballinalare Farm Ritz
Bull, born on or after 1st January 2024 and on or before 30th April 2024
1st G Hayes & Son 160 Haystar Romeo 2024
2nd G Hayes & Son 161 Haystar Revolver 2024
Bull, born on or after 1st May 2024 and on or before 31st December 2024
1st JL & CL Weatherup 165 Lisglass Real Deal 2024
2nd G Hayes & Son 162 Haystar Round One 2024
3rd Mr J N Glasgow 163 Bridgewater Farm Rocky 2024
Pair of animals, bona fide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the classes for which they are eligible
1st Mr NJ Glasgow Bridgewater Farm
2nd JL & CL Weatherup Lisglass
3rd G Hayes & Son Haystar
Supreme Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita J & A Wilson
Reserve Supreme Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Junior Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Reserve Junior Champion
Breaghey Vida-R536 Andrew Clarke
Female Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita J & A Wilson
Reserve Female Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Male Champion
Lisglass Real Deal 2024 JL & CL Weatherup
Reserve Male Champion
Haystar Romeo 2024 G Hayes & Son
by Iain | May 12, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Carlisle Sales, 2025
20,000gns Grangewood Platinum equals Simmental bull record in England
New Simmental centre record average at Carlisle of £9788 (+£5,185)
7 bulls sell at 10,000gns or more
100% clearance of bulls
Breed records tumbled again at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Saturday 10th May as a sizzling Simmental trade was led by the 20,000gns Grangewood Platinum from Andrew, Yvonne, & Callum Leedham, Boghead Farm, Tarbolton, Ayrshire.
September 2023 born, Grangewood Platinum 23 is a son of Ranfurly Impeccable, and out of Grangewood Tollies Iris. Earlier in the day this bull, with solid figures across the traits and top end Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes, had stood first in his class in the pre-sale show judged by Aled Davies of the noted Hirwaun herd, Wern Villa, Ponthirwaun, Ceredigion.
20,000gns top price Grangewood Platinum
Come sale time a packed ringside saw Grangewood Platinum race to 20,000gns before being knocked down to Jim & Patricial Goldie for their noted Newbiemains herd at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Commenting afterwards, a delighted Jim Goldie said: “We have previously purchased Grangewood Paddington from the Leedhams and he’s breeding exceptionally well, and leaving some very stylish calves. Platinum is a similar type of bull that will keep the structure in our cows, and add a bit of fleshiness. I thought he was the standout bull today for a pedigree job. He’s a nice, long, clean bull with a great bone structure, and with good feet and legs.” The Newbiemains herd consists of around 160 cows and run six stock bulls in all.
For the Leedham family the 20,000gns is their highest sale price to date, surpassing the 19,000gns they previously received for Grangewood Barron, and with this being the second year in a row that they’ve topped this Carlisle May Sale fixture. Confirming a good day the very previous lot, Grangewood Phoenix 23 another Ranfurly Impeccable son, made 8500gns when selling to to Messrs Adkin & Sons, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. Speaking after the sale Andrew Leedham said: “We couldn’t have asked for more on the day, it was a terrific sale with a lot of interested people from England and Scotland looking for Simmental bulls. We’re very pleased to have achieved this top price and Grangewood Platinum has always been a great bull to work with having a terrific temperament. He’s off to a great home and we look forward to seeing his calves in due course.”
A host of records tumbled on the day as the 20,000gns equalled the record price for a Simmental bull sold at a Society sale in England and which had only been set the previous week at Worcester. The £9788 is a new English and Carlisle sale centre Simmental record average, and was up by a remarkable £5,185 on the year. Half of the bulls forward made 10,000gns and more, and with the sale seeing a 100% clearance rate of the fourteen bulls offered.
Following on from a cracking May Sale trade at Stirling, where they sold four bulls to gross £45,150 and including the top priced bull at 15,500gns, Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour enjoyed another top day when they sold two bulls, for 12,000gns, and 10,000gns respectively, with both being sired by the 28,000gns herd stock bull Islavale Magnum. Selling at 12,000gns was the October 2023 born Delfur Peaky Blinder 23 (ET) (TF). This calf is out of Delfur Weigela E12, an Auchorachan AC DC daughter, who is considered ‘one of the best cows in the herd and with tremendous milk’. In the pre-sale show, this bull had stood second in his class to the day’s top priced bull. With a Terminal Production Index of +101; and a Self-Replacing Index of +108, both in the breed’s top 10%, Delfur Peaky Blinder 23 was purchased by Messrs Hogg & Partners, Earlston, Berwickshire.
12,000gns Delfur Peaky Blinder
The very next lot saw the day’s winner of class three, and Overall Male Champion, Delfur Pocket Rocket 23 sell for 10,000gns. Another by Islavale Magnum, and out of Delfur Katie, this November 2023 born bull came to the sale with a show record behind him having been Reserve Senior Male Champion at the 2024 Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling. Combining phenotype, pedigree, and performance, Delfur Pocket Rocket has a Terminal Sire Index of +115; and Self Replacing Index of +122, putting him in the breed’s top 5% for both. He also carries an excellent top 10% Maternal (Milk) figure of +10. Buying the Champion and taking him south, was the commercial producer Messrs Swerling, Giles, Buckinghamshire.
10,000gns Delfur Pocket Rocket
Commenting on his choice of Male Champion the judge Aled Davies said: “This was a long, clean, well fleshed bull with a good backend, and who had width all the way through. He had a nice head, walked extremely well, and was a worthy Champion on the day.”
Judge Aled Davies in action at Carlisle
Also at the 12,000gns mark was the upstanding heterozygous polled bull Hepplewhite Premium 23 (P) from local breeders and long-time supporter of Simmental sales at both Carlisle and Stirling, John & Olive June Trafford, Springfield, Greysouthern, Cockermouth, Cumbria. This July 2023 born bull is by the homozygous polled Highcross Matador 21 (PP), and out of the heterozygous polled Hepplewhite Champagne 35th (P), a Castor Herminius (PP) daughter. Buying this bull was Messrs Johnston, By Falkirk. The demand for polled Simmental genetics has been a feature of the May Sales, and this was continued when Hepplewhite Prancer 23 (P) (TF) made 10,000gns when selling into Northumberland, and Messrs Ord, Morpeth. This June 2023 born bull, and the winner of the first class, is by Castor Herminius (PP), and is out of the Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) daughter Hepplewhite Champagne 24th (P). Of his purchase Mr Ord said: “This was a good looking bull in himself with strong performance figures and being heterozygous polled. He’ll be used in our 120 cow suckler herd which comprises of a mix of both Simmental and Angus genetics.”
12,000gns Hepplewhite Premium 23 (P)
10,000gns Hepplewhite Prancer 23 (P)
The noted Popes herd of Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancashire also enjoyed a top day when selling the two youngest bulls in the catalogue for 10,500gns, and 10,000gns respectively. Selling at 10,500gns was the winner of class four and the day’s Reserve Male Champion in the shape of Popes Ragnar 24. March 2024 born, this smart young bull is by the €52,000gns Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Penton Kristina 19. Heading to Seascale, Popes Ragnar 24 was bought by Messrs Holliday, Cumbria.
10,500gns Popes Ragnar
At 10,000gns, and similarly bred, was Popes Radius 24 who stood second in his class to his team mate. Again by Lucky Explorer, this February 2024 born calf is out of the Camus Harold daughter Popes Nellys Lulu. Taking this bull home was Messrs Cowx & Son, Wigton, Cumbria, who said: “This is a long, clean, smart young bull and we like the milk that the Simmental gives. We presently run 30 cows which are a mix of pure Simm, and Simm cross.”
10,000gns Popes Radius
The day for the Wood family didn’t finish there as they had also secured the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship with their fourteen-month-old heifer, Popes Radiant Eyes. Another calf by the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and out of Popes Jasmine Eyes, the days Champion was purchased for 5000gns by James Iliff, Whitegreave, Stafford. Commenting on his Overall Supreme Champion, the judge Aled Davies said: “For my Overall Supreme Champion I was looking for the one that I’d like to take home, and this young heifer just ticked that box. She’s what I’d describe as a lovely, sweet, stylish heifer, very modern, with that bit of ‘wow’ factor, and having all the attributes to go on and be a top breeding female.” This was the second year in a row that the Popes herd have won the Overall Supreme Championship at this May fixture and following on from Popes Picasso last year.
5000gns Popes Radiant Eyes Female & Overall Supreme Champion
The very first bull in the ring, Lyvennet Panther 23 (P), from Messrs RCS & CFE Addison, Greystone House, Penrith, got the trade off to a good start when selling for 8000gns to Messrs Ellwood & Son, Millom, Cumbria. Another heterozygous polled bull, the March 2023 born Panther is by the 8000gns Greencap Klassik 19 (P) and is out of Lyvennet Dixie 3 (P).
A more than solid trade for the Simmental commercial heifers forward topped at 3200gns for a December 2023 heifer from Peter Burgess, High Keenley Fell Farm, Hexham, and purchased by Messrs Morton, Penrith, Cumbria.
Overall Championship Presentation. From left to right: Judge Aled Davies of the Hirwaun herd, Hannah Wood with the Female & Overall Champion Popes Radiant Eyes, Garry Patterson with the Male Champion & Overall Reserve Delfur Pocket Rocket, and Iain Kerr BSCS General Manager
Averages
14 Bulls £9787.50
5 Heifers £3654.00
14 High Health Heifers £2871.42
by Iain | May 7, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
- 25 bulls set new £8795 May Sale record average, up £2075 on the year
- 100% clearance of bulls forward
- Seven bulls make 10,000gns and above
- Islavale bulls take Championship and Reserve
- Fifth consecutive year a new record Simmental average set at the Stirling May Sale
The 15,500gns Delfur Prince 23 (ET), from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour led another record breaking Simmental trade at the Stirling May Sale held at United Auctions, Stirling Agricultural Centre, on Monday 5th May.
Following hard on the heels of the at the time all-breeds record average at Stirling in February, the May Sale saw a total clearance of the 25 bulls forward to level at £8795, up by £2075 on the year. The £8795 is a record Simmental average for the May Sale, and remarkably is the fifth year in a row that a new breed record average has been set at this fixture. Seventeen bulls in all made 7500gns or more, with seven bulls making over five figures.
15,500gns top price Delfur Prince
A strong pen of bulls from Delfur Farms saw them make 15,500gns; 10,000gns x 2; and 7500gns to gross £45,150 and average a fantastic £11,288. Earlier in the day these Delfur bulls had placed first, second, third in Class Six of the pre-sale show judged by Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield Herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. November 2023 born, the 15,500gns top priced Delfur Prince 23 (ET) is one of the first sons at sale by the 28,000gns stock bull Islavale Magnum, and is out of the consistent breeding Delfur Hells, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant daughter, whose progeny include Delfur Roxy, the Simmental Junior Female Champion at the 2024 Stars of the Future Calf Show.
Purchasing the top price was Mr & Mrs L Moffat for their noted 65-cow Innerwick herd at Dunbar, East Lothian. Commenting Dorothy Moffat said: “We had picked him out in the catalogue beforehand as one to look at and we thought he really stood out in the show ring. He’s a bull with an impressive width and flesh, and has both bloodlines and figures which we think are suited to the Innerwick herd. In October 2022 we purchased Delfur Maverick for 16,000gns jointly with Bruce Lambie, Fallhills. Maverick has done exceptionally well, so we are very pleased to buy another from bull from Delfur.”
Speaking generally after the sale Delfur herd manager Garry Patterson said: “We’re really pleased with the sale and to see Delfur bulls go to top pedigree and commercial herds. The 28,000gns paid for Islavale Magnum was a big investment but it’s very encouraging to see his first progeny at sale sell so well. He was originally bought to breed females for the herd so to have the quality of these bulls for sale is a real bonus on top. The herd presently comprises of 80+ pedigree breeding females and our aim continues to be to breed bulls with a bit of style, length, not overly shapey, of a nice size, with style, and that calf easily.”
Commenting on the sale, BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr said: “It’s fantastic to see another strong Simmental trade, and again driven by commercial buyers. Commercial producers are basing their suckler herds with Simmental genetics and seeing the benefits in milk, easy calving, fertility, and the ability to rear a quality calf year on year. At the same time, there’s the recognition of the breeds proven abilities in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, and adding this all up it’s striking a chord with commercial producers and driving demand for the breed.”
13,000gns Pitgaveny Presto 23
Taking the second top price at 13,000gns was the first prize winner Pitgaveny Presto 23 from Pitgaveny Farm, Elgin, Moray. Presto’s sire is the 14,000gns Islavale Kristoff who was the Overall Male Champion at the Scottish Simmental National Show held in Turriff last year. Out of Pitgaveny Jingle VG 86, and with solid performance figures across the board, Pitgaveny Presto 23 now heads for the islands having been purchased by noted commercial producers G&M Porter, Carrabus Farm, Bridgend, Isle of Islay. Of the sale, Geoff Anderson said: “The 13,000gns is the top price the Pitgaveny herd has attained at sale to date, so we’re very pleased. Presto is a good sized bull with plenty of power and depth but he’s also a sweet bull and we think will breed good, milky cows.”
It was another terrific day for the Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berrleys Farm, Grange, Keith, who took the top honours with both the Overall Supreme, and Overall Reserve Champions in the pre-sale show. The Islavale bulls each went on to sell for 12,000gns themselves, and in another notable herd achievement all four of the sales top priced animals were by Islavale sires!
Overall Champion 12,000gns Islavale Pegasus
Both entirely homebred, and both by Islavale Lucifer 20 EX 93 (who has bred bulls sold up to 13,000gns), the Supreme Champion came in the shape of the December 2023 born Islavale Pegasus. Out of the classified Curaheen Bandit daughter Islavale Damaris 12 EX92 (EX2), this stylish, red bull carries very good performance figures being top 15% for Maternal (Milk), and top 20% for both Terminal Sire, and Self Replacing Indexes. Purchasing the Champion bull was regular buyer Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney, and for a client in Caithness with a commercial suckler herd of 120 cows.
Overall Reserve Champion 12,000gns Islavale Pilot
Following his team mate through the class and to take the Overall Reserve, was the December 2023 born Islavale Pilot 23. By the same sire as the Champion, Islavale Pilot 23 is out of Islavale Candy 4 EX92, a Curaheen Giant daughter. Again a bull with good figures, Islavale Pilot 23 is in the breed’s top 15% for Terminal Production Index, and the top 10% for Self-Replacing Index. Also making 12,000gns, Islavale Pilot was bought by J&J Marshall, Grantown On Spey, Morayshire.
Judge Gavin Brown, left, with his Islavale Champion & Reserve
Full concentration on the job at hand from the judge Gavin Brown, Springfield Herd
Of his Islavale Champion and Reserve bulls, the judge Gavin Brown said: “These two Islavale bulls were just standouts in their class, and with only days between them in age, there was also very little between them in terms of placing. Both animals had great width throughout and carried terrific flesh. Both with style, the Reserve may just have had the edge in that respect but my choice of Champion just had that extra bit of growth about him that had me place him first and give him the Overall nod. Two very good Simmental bulls.”
10,500gns Dunmore Peter
At 10,500 was the November 2023 born Dunmore Peter 23 from J&E Aitken, Overton Farm, Fintry, Glasgow. Got by AI, this calf is sired by Clonagh Tiger Gallant, and is out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter Dunmore Lollipop 20. With top figures for calving ease, and strong Terminal Sire, and Self Replacing Indexes, this bull was sold to England when purchased by Nunappleton Estate, Home Farm, Roebuck, York. Just two lots previously the Aitken’s also sold Dunmore Prime 23 for 8500gns to the Dewisland herd of M Evans, Upper Harglodd, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Again, this bull had terrific calving ease figures. The 10,550gns, and 8,500gns both surpassed the herd’s previous top price at sale of 8000gns attained in February 2023.
10,000gns Delfur Prime Time
Two further bulls from the Delfur pen made 10,000gns. The first of these was Delfur Prime Time 23, another son of the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum 21, and who stood second in his class to the day’s top price (by the same sire). Out of Delfur Kora, a cow line with tremendous milk, Delfur Prime Time 23 was purchased by John Forbes, Achnacloich, Boultach, Caithness. Commenting Mr Forbes said: “This was a rangy bull with length, great proportions, and with a nice depth to him. He’s got character, is from a good line of cows, and is the dark colour we want for breeding replacement females. We run 110 Simm cross females, and 30 Luings which we put the Simmental bull on.”
10,000gns Delfur Partyboy
Making it a Delfur 1,2,3 in Class Six was the November 2023 born Delfur Partyboy 23. This heifer’s calf is by the easy calving bull Banwy Bonzo, who has bred bulls to 16,000gns, and is out of the Innerwick Ivor 17 daughter Delfur Mystique. Delfur Partyboy was bought by G&AG Proctor, Balnageith, Forres, Moray also at 10,000gns.
At 9,000gns was Braegarrie Proclaimer from DL&S Currie, Pinclanty, Girvan, Ayrshire. Standing second in class five to the day’s second top price, this August 2023 bull is by herd sire Overhill House Link 20, and is out of Braegarrie Gabriella, a Teviot Bouncer daughter. Woth good figures for Calving Ease, and Maternal (Milk), Braegarrie Proclaimer was bought by R Forrest Ltd, Preston, Duns, Berwickshire.
9000gns Braegarrie Proclaimer
Over from Northern Ireland, HJW&JC Moore, Coolesker, Beragh made 8800gns when selling the youngest Simmental bull in the sale, Omorga Rory 24. Got by AI, Omorga Rory is by the easy calving Denizes Hamish 16, and is out of Omorga Lily (ET). With a Terminal Sire Index and a Self Replacing Index both in the top 1% of the breed, this bull was sold to Shropshire and E Roberts, Haughton Farm, Ellesmere.
Selling at 8500gns was Broombrae Pilot P24 23, from the Tippetcraig herd of Mr & Mrs George Burns, Tippetcraig, High Bonnybridge. A first time selling Simmentals at Stirling, this September born calf was purchased at foot from the first part of the Broombrae Dispersal Sale of Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife, held at Stirling in February 2024. By Camus Harold 16, and out of Broombrae Delight J5, Broombrae Pilot P24 23, with a top 1% figure of +15 for Maternal (Milk), was purchased by SA&J Stewart, Kininmonth, Cupar, Fife.
OTHER LEADING SIMMENTAL PRICES
8200gns Lot 107 Denizes Rolls Royce sold to W S L Muir of Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney
Denizes Rolls Royce 8200gns
7800gns Lot 86 Cwarre Paladin sold to A McAllister of Blairmore, Balfron, Glasgow
7800gns Cwarre Paladin
7800gns Lot 96 Pitmudie Prince sold to C McCrae of Mid Glen, West Glen, Langbank, Renfrewshire
7500gns Lot 77 Delfur Phoenix sold to EJ & AM Fox of St Johns Kirk, Symington, Biggar
7500gns Lot 79 Blackford Polaris sold to A Sharp & Sons of Farmton, Tough, Alford, Aberdeenshire.
7500gns Lot 101 Pitmudie Poldark sold to M Orr & Sons of Bangour Farm, Broxburn, West Lothian.
by Nicky Moreton | May 6, 2025 | 2025 Worcester Sales, 2025 News, 2025
Beanhill Ryan 24 makes 11,000gns
Wroxall Pornstar 23 (P) makes 9,000gns
20,000gns a new all-breeds centre record, and record for a Simmental bull sold in England
It was a record breaking day at the Worcester Simmental Sale held on Saturday 3rd May, at McCartneys Worcester Livestock Market.
Record-breaking 20,000gns Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP)
Selling at 20,000gns and setting a new all-breeds centre record at Worcester, and a new record for a Simmental bull sold at a Society sale in England, was the homozygous polled, and entirely homebred, Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP), from Nigel Darling, Intwood, Norwich.
December 2023 born, Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP) is by Blue Cedar Kelso (PP), and is out of Blue Cedar Edwina 4th (PP). Purchasing this bull was stock manager Richard Bell for the 300-cow Bowley herd of Mr CM Mercer based at Hope-Under-Dinmore, Herefordshire. With limited staff, ease of management is a big factor for the Bowley herd and with the homozygous polled status of this bull being particularly attractive.
Blue Cedar Peter 23 (PP) with purchaser Richard bell (left), breeder Nigel Darling, and stockman Phil Boyd-Stevenson
Commenting after the sale a delighted Nigel Darling said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to sell Blue Cedar Peter (PP) for this top price, and to set so many new record marks along the way is just amazing. I joined the Society some fifteen years ago and have been concentrating on breeding polled cattle from the outset. We’ve presently got twelve cows and all of which are homozygous polled. There’s more and more demand for homozygous polled Simmentals from commercial producers who want easier management with no dehorning of calves whilst still retaining the traits the breed is renowned for.” The Blue Cedar herd was established in 2010 with the purchase of the 15-month-old bull Wroxall Abacus 09 (PP), and with the purchase of the heifer Hunnyhill Wendy (P) thereafter. Next up for the Blue Cedar herd will be the Royal Norfolk and with more homozygous polled genetics on show.
Endorsing Nigel Darling’s comments was the purchaser Richard Bell who said: “In a big herd like Bowley and with not many staff, homozygous polled Simmental genetics is very attractive to us. This bull has also got excellent calving ease figures and above average indexes so he ticks a lot of boxes and we’re delighted to have him.”
9000gns Wroxall Pornstar (P), Overall Supreme Champion
Earlier in the sale Richard Bell also purchased the day’s pre-sale show Overall Champion for 9000gns, and in the shape of the heterozygous polled Wroxall Pornstar (P) from the long established Wroxall herd of CH Evans & Son, Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire. This naturally polled bull has shown phenomenal growth for age with figures to back this up, especially on the replacement traits. His mother was shown extensively and notably winning the breed championship at both the Three Counties and Staffordshire shows for two years on the trot. Wroxall Pornstar (P), is by Corskie Megastar 21 (P), and is out of Wroxall Lovely-Moira (P), a Coose Gambler (P) daughter.
The pre-sale show judge was Rhys Grenham from the noted Boars Head herd in Crowborough, East Sussex.
11,000gns Beanhill Ryan 24
The second highest price on the day was the 11,000gns paid for the final bull in the sale, Beanhill Ryan 24 from Mr & Mrs RJ & BE Kimber, Chippenham, Wiltshire. January 2024 born, this bull is by the AI sire Broombrae Major M3 21, and is out of Beanhill Inca EX 90, a Tillbrook Earl daughter. Purchasing this bull was RB Gough, The Gippols, Harley, Shrewsbury.
A small show of Simmental bulls within this multibreed fixture saw five out of the six forward sell to average £10,248 and again, a new record average mark for this fixture.
Judge Rhys Grenham left with Champion Wroxall Pornstar (P), and Reserve Champion Wroxall Pow Wow (P)
by Nicky Moreton | May 2, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
At the pre-sale show of bulls being held on Sunday May 4th at 11am, Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield Simmental herd, Penicuik, Midlothian will be the very capable ‘man in the middle’ as the judge for the day.
Gavin and his wife Anna established the Springfield herd in 2014, some four years after purchasing the 140 acre Springfield Farm situated near the Pentland Hills.
The herd was initiated with the purchase of two cows with calves at foot from the local Woodhall herd of Hector McAskill, and two further cows, again with calves at foot, from the Hazelden Dispersal Sale of N McGeoch, Lochlea Farm, Kilmarnock.
In the very early stages after purchase, considerable work and time was needed to build Springfield Farm up. Gavin was looking for a pure bred animal that could be run commercially with low input, to try and keep running costs to a minimum, and a breed that was easy to work with and calf as the farm had very little in the way of handling facilities. So fitting this bill, it was the Simmental breed that Gavin and Anna turned to.
Today, and built around a base of quality bloodlines, the Springfield herd now comprises of 30 Simmental breeding females and with the herd having met with considerable success in both the sale and show ring.
Increasingly prolific, the herd’s sale averages have increased year on year to a best performance to date in February (this year) when eight bulls sold to a mighty average of £8250. This included a new herd top price at sale of £14,175 for Springfield Pace, (a son of the herd’s influential stock sire Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX92), and which sold to Orkney.
Another noted sale highlight for Gavin was in October 2022 when the Springfield herd had its first heifers for sale at Stirling and which averaged £4500, with a top of £6200. Four of the heifers were purchased by the high profile Popes herd of Jimmy and Vikki Wood, Dutton, Lancashire. For good measure on the same day, the herd sold four bulls, which had finished first, second, and third in their classes, and to average £5000. Live sales and semen sales have now seen Springfield genetics go world wide and including to China, Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey.
A keen supporter of the summer and winter shows, locally and nationally, the herd has met with many successes and including in the last four years, Simmental Championship wins at: the Simmental Youngstock Show at Carlisle; Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling; and LiveScot at Lanark. The aforementioned Islavale Jabba also secured the Senior Male Championship at the 2023 Simmental Scottish National, and was the World Silver Medallist for the breed in the Simmental Breeder online show.
Islavale Jabba has been prolific stock bull for the Springfield herd
13,500gns Springfield Pace
Speaking generally on the Simmental breed, why it fits the bill within the Springfield enterprise, and why it is proving so popular with commercial producers, Gavin commented: “I think the Simmental is one of the most commercial pedigree cows you can get. Low cost and low maintenance is so important but still striving to have that high daily live weight gain. It’s a balance the Simmentals have that I believe no other breed can match. Ease of calving is a real plus, and easy fleshing cattle just give you high outputs with low inputs. Generally females need to be able to survive on grass, whilst being milky, having a frame that supports easy calving, and carries enough flesh to support its calf through the first 6-8 months. To me these are the qualities where the Simmental excels and will give the breed the edge in future beef production.”
Turning to the bull sale at Stirling, and the judging job at hand this coming Sunday, and Gavin will again look to keep this very commercial focus. Speaking to the Society he said: “It’s an honour to be asked to Judge at the renowned Stirling Bull Sales and I’m very much looking forward to it. As ever I’m sure there will be a great show of Simmental stock with little to split between them. In selecting a winner I’ll definitely be focused on the demands of our commercial buyers and will be looking for bulls with good size, length, are well fleshed without being too extreme, or are overly powerful. As with any judging, fantastic breed character will always help that one special beast stand out from the rest!
Gavin, we very much hope that you enjoy your day, and the best of luck is extended to all Simmental vendors.
Judging Sunday May 4th, 11am
Sale of Simmental Bulls Monday May 5th, 12 Noon
It’s ‘time for a Simmental’ on Monday May 5th, with 35 bulls catalogued for the sale at United Auctions, Stirling FK9 4RN.
Please click on the link here to see the full published catalogue and timetable:
https://www.uagroup.co.uk/download_file/e166d153-2fec-4213-b27a-0a053681c0c3/1
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