by Iain | Jun 24, 2025 | 2025 Royal Highland Show, 2025 North West News, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025
In its rich 203 year history, the Royal Highland Show has seen almost all there is to see in livestock showing until perhaps this year.
Catching the attention of farmers across the show, and the general public in attendance, was the unique sight of a seven year old pedigree Simmental cow with her three natural triplet heifer calves at foot!
With a real ‘wow’ factor, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 from Michael & John Barlow’s Lancashire based Denizes herd, Walton, Nr Leyland, captured the hearts of the crowd watching on as she was given centre stage in the main ring on Saturday 21st June. As quiet as can be she stood letting all three calves have a good suck as ring commentator Paul Gentry outlined to the crowd some facts regarding the spectacle in front of them.
Denizes Trixie Belle 15 with her triplet heifer calves
Triplet births are so rare in beef cattle that scientists have very little information to compile statistical data. However, the odds of it happening are estimated to be about one in more than 100,000. A little search on Google and through AI shows that the odds of a cow naturally having and delivering triplet heifer calves are roughly 1 in 800,000. If you add in that the Denizes Trixie Belle 15 was good enough to go an and earn a red ticket in the Simmental judging on the Thursday then the odds of the whole scenario just keep on rising!
Highlighting tremendous fertility, the triplet calves were all part of a natural production cycle with Trixie Belle having been served naturally, and all three heifer calves being born with little assistance.
Denizes Trixie Belle 15 herself weighed in at approximately 1000kgs. Add in the three calves at a combined 800kgs and you have a total outfit weight of over 1800kgs. With all three calves in robust, good order, it is estimated that Denizes Trixie Belle 15 will be producing some 30+ litres of milk per day which is not far off in line with the typical daily production of a dairy cow.
Denizes Trixie Belle taking centre stage on Saturday at the 2025 Royal Highland Show
Commenting, John Barlow said: “When these calves were born my dad said ‘right, we’re going to enter these to the Royal Highland’. I thought he was mad at the time but here we are and we’ve been blown away with the reaction to them! Trixie Belle was scanned with twins so triplets was more than a bit of a surprise. However she calved them with a little assistance from myself and they were quickly up and doing. It obviously took a lot out of mum but it’s amazing that she was carrying over 90+kgs of calves and which has turned into 800+kgs of live calves some eight months later. She’s a remarkable lady and we’re delighted and very proud to have shown her.”
Speaking on behalf of the British Simmental Cattle Society, Chris Martindale, the Society’s President congratulated the Denizes team and said: “Triplet heifer calves in a show ring at the Royal Highland was an amazing spectacle, probably never seen before in a UK show ring, and the likes of which we may never see again. It was one of those cross over events that all exhibitors from all breeds, farmers in attendance at the show, and the general public all wanted and were intrigued to see. We are very grateful to the Royal Highland for recognising the uniqueness of this and allowing Denizes Trixie Belle and her triplet calves to be given centre stage on Saturday. It was a special moment and very well received by all watching.”
September 2018 born, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 is by the herd’s prolific stock bull Denizes Hamish 16, himself a past Reserve Male Champion at the Royal Highland, and is out of Denizes Trixie Belle 8, an Ashland Tornado daughter. All three heifer calves were born on the 12th October 2024 and were sired by the well-known Saltire Impressive.
Going on tour, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 and her triplet calves will now head to the Great Yorkshire Show due to be held on 8th – 11th July at Harrogate.
by Iain | Jun 24, 2025 | 2025 Royal Highland Show, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025, Uncategorised
Annick Ginger’s Lucia wins Simmental Overall Supreme
Corskie Mimic takes the Overall Reserve
Garmouth Robert crowned Male Champion
Corskie Pinette Overall Junior Champion
The remarkable Annick Ginger’s Lucia, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, was at it again as she lifted the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship for the third year in a row on the opening day of the 2025 Royal Highland Show, Thursday 19th June, held at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
There were new show records aplenty as Annick Ginger’s Lucia becomes the first Simmental animal to seal a hat-trick of consecutive Supreme Championships at this premier show. The 2025 win also meant it was an unprecedented fourth Royal Highland win in a row for the Backmuir herd with their first win coming in 2022 with Islavale Lullaby, and when Annick Ginger’s Lucia was Overall Reserve!
Annick Ginger’s Lucia, Overall Supreme Simmental Champion, and Female Champion
Presiding over this year’s Simmental section was the judge for the day Andrew Clarke of the noted Breaghey Herd, Tynan, Co. Armagh, and who was full of praise for his choice of Champion. Commenting he said: “My Champion today is a fantastic example of the modern Simmental breed and she came out of a class of three outstanding cows just full of quality. Brim full of femininity she has so much style and presence in the ring. With a top line as straight as a die she has tremendous width to her, has a natural power, moves really well, and is making a good job of her calf at foot. A terrific Simmental cow and a very worthy Champion.”
February 2020 born, Annick Ginger’s Lucia is sired by Wolfstar Gold Digger 15 and is out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger EX 93, a Corskie Callum 11 daughter. She was shown at this year’s show with her April 2025 born bull calf at foot, Backmuir Sirius 25, sired by Backmuir King 19. Last year this much decorated Simmental cow won the Royal Highland Overall Supreme Individual Interbreed when shown with her bull calf at foot Backmuir Pompeii. Roll on twelve months and Pompeii also came to the party when winning a red ticket in his own right. A huge roll call of wins and accolades now on her show CV, firmly making her one of the most noted females in the breed’s history, Annick Ginger’s Lucia’s highlight wins include: three Royal Highland Show (RHS) Supreme Championships; the RHS Overall Supreme Individual Interbreed; the Scottish Simmental National Overall Supreme at Turriff, and the Individual Interbreed on the same day.
Commenting on the ‘double whammy’ of ‘four in a row’ RHS Supreme Championships, and within that Annick Ginger’s Lucia’s hat-trick, Reece Simmers said: “It’s very humbling to win the Overall Supreme Championship once at the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s premier showcase, let alone an incredible four times in a row. The standard of competition is always so high as it was again this year and we would congratulate all of the exhibitors for the show of Simmental stock. By her nature Ginger’s Lucia is a really naturally showy animal and is easy to work with. From here we’ll consider whether she heads to the Scottish Simmental National Show at Perth in August.” Speaking generally about the Backmuir herd, which now stands at approximately 100 cows, Reece went on to say: “We’re looking to breed Simmental cattle, both bulls and females, that have power and size, weight at a young age, with good plates, tops, and length, that are growthy and easy fleshing, and carry that Simmental style to them. Ginger’s Lucia we think has many of these attributes and is a terrific template for the herd.” Later in the day, Annick Ginger’s Lucia teamed up with her full sister Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg, and her November 2023 born second calf Backmuir Pompeii, to win the Group of Three.
Backmuir Winning Group of Three
Of the show of cattle and the Simmental breed generally, the judge Andrew Clarke said: “It really was an honour to judge the Simmental section and I’d very much like to thank the RHS and British Simmental. I’d also say a huge well done to all of the exhibitors. There was quality throughout the Simmental lines and classes which made for some difficult decisions within what was a hugely enjoyable day. As I said prior to the show I’m big on style and correctness and modern Simmental cattle that have the attributes to breed and add value to a commercial market. I think we saw that today and it is reflective of the consistency and ongoing improvement that we are seeing in the Simmental breed generally.”
Judge Andrew Clarke in action at the 2025 Royal Highland Show
It was once again very much a ‘ladies day’ for this maternal breed and with females taking the Overall, Reserve Overall, and Overall Junior titles. Featuring strongly throughout the Championships, and with another top team forward was the Green family and with entries from the Corskie herd of WJ & J Green, and the Garmouth herd of Laura Green, at Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Taking the Overall Supreme Reserve and the Overall Reserve Female was the stylish Corskie Mimic VG88 who had stood second to the Champion in her class before following her all the way through. Remarkably, it was the second time this January 2021 born female, out of Corskie Imitation, had stood in the same positions at the RHS, and again to Ginger’s Lucia, having done so in 2023! Mimic was also the Overall Junior Champion at the 2022 Scottish National Show, and her first calf, Corskie Phoney 23 sold for 13,000gns at the record breaking February 2025 sale at Stirling. Sired by Kilbride Farm Haka, she was shown with her terrific heifer calf at foot, the August 2024 born Corskie Role Play, a Rathnashan Magnum EX92 daughter. Of his Overall Reserve, Andrew Clarke said: “This is another terrific Simmental cow, well fleshed, and with terrific conformation. Full of style again, very feminine with a great top line and a lovely udder. A very modern type of female she walked really well and had a little more thickness than the Champion. With a super calf at foot this was a great outfit, a real picture.”
Corskie Mimic, Overall Reserve Supreme, and Reserve Female Champion
In the bulls and it was the turn of Laura Green who picked up the Male Championship, and the Junior Male Championship, with the young, April 2024 born bull, Garmouth Robert 24. With plenty of breeding behind him, this calf is by Rathnashan Magnum EX92, who has had sons to 20,000gns, and is out of Garmouth Glory’s Jessica who has previously bred the 10,000gns Garmouth Matt. Commenting on Garmouth Robert 24 the judge said: “ My Male Champion was a really smart, sweet young bull. Very modern, clean, with a good end, he had a great presence to him, moved extremely well, had plenty of style and with no roughness to him. He’s a bull with few faults and I have no doubt has a big future ahead of him.” On the Saturday, this young bull with both Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes in the top 5% of the breed, placed third Reserve in the Beef Breeder Interbreed. Plans now are that Garmouth Robert 24 will head to a forward Stirling Simmental Bull Sale.
Garmouth Robert, Overall Male Champion, Junior Male Champion, and Reserve Junior Overall
Keeping the titles coming for the green family was the Overall Junior Champion, and Junior Female Champion in the shape of the flashy Corskie Pinette. September 2023 born, Pinette is by Rathnashan Leonardo EX94, and is out of Corskie Jinette EX90. Again with plenty of breeding and performance in the pedigree, Rathnashan Leonardo EX94 is the sire of the 26,000gns Corskie Prime sold in February this year at Stirling, and is out of the Dirnanean Bradley daughter Corskie Jinette EX90 who has bred four heifer calves to date. Hitting the right notes for the judge, Andrew Clarke commented: “This heifer just caught me right away, and I just really liked her. Smart and stylish she’s sweet throughout, very correct with a lovely head, and having that ‘look at me’ presence and quality. She has fantastic hindquarters with a lovely softness to her, and is the type of heifer that would stand well in any company.”
Corskie Pinette, Overall Junior Champion and Junior Female Champion
Standing in the Reserve Junior Female position was another from the Simmers Backmuir herd and in the shape of the flashy heifer Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu and who was first in the second class of the day. February 2024 born, this young heifer is another with a depth of pedigree being sired by Backmuir King 19, the Male Champion at the 2023 RHS, and out of the 18,000gns Brandane Lu Lu who was purchased at the Nxt Gen II Sale at Carlisle in 2022. Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu was herself a first prize winner at last year’s Scottish Simmental National Show.
Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu, Reserve Junior Female Champion
Back in the bulls and putting up a stout defence of his Male Championship from last year was Annick Nazareth 22 from Jim & Elizabeth Dyet’s Merkland Herd, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire, and who this year took the Reserve Male Championship. April 2022 born, Annick Nazareth is by Kilbride Farm Karl 19 (P), and is out of Annick Fresias Kiki VG85 who herself was Female and Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal Highland in 2021. Annick Nazareth 22 was purchased as a calf at foot for 7500gns (for the unit) at the Annick Dispersal Sale, and in 2023 the Dyets showed him at the Scottish National Simmental Show at Dumfries and where he won Reserve Junior Male.
Annick Nazareth 22, Overall Reserve Male Champion
Always bringing good cattle to the RHS, and with previous Supreme Championship wins behind them, Gerald & Morag Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk were to the fore again and when taking the Reserve Junior Male title with their powerful December 2024 born bull Drumsleed Rocco 24. This calf, with a Maternal (Milk) figure of +9, is by the prolific AI bull team Celtic, and is out of a ‘big cow’ Drumsleed Akira, a Hockenhull Matthew daughter. Drumsleed Rocco will now be aimed at the Stirling Bull Sale in October this year. Enjoying another good day, the Smiths also had a class win in the females with the stylish Drumsleed Poppy, a Rockytop Lucifer daughter out of Drumsleed Irene 17, taking the red ticket in the fourth class of the day.
Drumsleed Rocco, Reserve Junior Male Champion
A special mention also goes to the rising seven year old Denizes Trixi Belle 15 from MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, and who placed first in the final female class of the day. Marking this Denizes Hamish 16 daughter out was the unique spectacle of her being shown with her triplet heifer calves at foot. A sight that wowed the watching and attending crowds over four days, it is thought to be the first time triplets, a 100,000 – 1 chance, have been shown in a Simmental ring or perhaps any show ring, in the United Kingdom! Look out on Facebook for more coverage of mum and her calves!
Denizes Trixi Belle 15 with her triplet heifer calves
Overall Championship Presentation
Junior Championship Presentation
Male Championship Presentation
2025 Royal Highland Show
Thursday 19th June 2025
Judge Mr Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh
Results
Class 263 Female, born on or after 1st April 2024
1st H Duff Pitmudie Roselyn
Pitmudie Roselyn
2nd Gavin Brown Springfield Rose
3rd Gavin Brown Islavale Raven
Class 264 Female, born between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st R&A Simmers Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu
2nd Laura Green Garmouth Kim’s Rachel
3rd R&A Simmers Backmuir Lucia’s Rumba
4th WJ&J Green Corskie Right
Class 265 Female, born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2023
1st WJ&J Green Corskie Pinette
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Pence
3rd Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Petal
4th J&E Dyet Merkland Pippa
5th Gavin Brown Springfield Prada
Class 266 Female, born on or between 1st January and 30th June 2023
1st G&M Smith Drumsleed Poppy 23
Drumsleed Poppy
2nd H Duff Pitmudie Primrose
3rd H Duff Pitmudie Pandora (P)
4th Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Poppy
5th J&E Dyet Merkland Paula
Class 267 Female, calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in milk or in calf born 2022
1st R&A Simmers Annick Gingers Nutmeg
Annick Gingers Nutmeg
Class 268 Female, born in 2020 or 2021 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st R&A Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Mimic
3rd James Hodge Heathbrow Milky Way
Class 269 Female, born on or before 31st December 2019, in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Trixie Belle 15
Class 270 Bull, born on or after 1st April 2024
1st Laura Green Garmouth Robert 24
2nd H Duff Pitmudie Rambo 24
3rd WJ&J Green Corskie Roll 24
271 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st G&M Smith Drumsleed Rocco 24
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Rome 24
3rd G&M Smith Drumsleed Rambo 24
4th Jack Shaw Inverdunning Ricky 24 (P)
5th Dean Saunders Maidenlands Rolo 24 (PP)
6th H Duff Pitmudie Rolex 24
7th Jack Shaw Inverdunning Romeo 24
272 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2023
1st R&A Simmers Backmuir Pompeii 23
Backmuir Pompeii
273 Bull, born on or before 31st December 2022
1st J&E Dyet Annick Nazareth 22
2nd Crinan Dunbar Islavale Kristoff 19
Overall Supreme Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R&A Simmers
Reserve Supreme Champion
Corskie Mimic WJ&J Green
Overall Female Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R&A Simmers
Overall Reserve Female Champion
Corskie Mimic WJ&J Green
Overall Male Champion
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Overall Reserve Male Champion
Annick Nazareth 22 J&E Dyet
Overall Junior Champion
Corskie Pinette WJ&J Green
Overall Reserve Junior Champion
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Champion Junior Female
Corskie Pinette WJ&J Green
Reserve Junior Female
Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu R&A Simmers
Champion Junior Male
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Reserve Junior Male
Drumsleed Rocco 24 G&M Smith
Best Group
R&A Simmers
Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg; Annick Ginger’s Lucia; Backmuir Pompeii 23
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.
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