Hazelden Dispersal

by British Simmental | Jul 24, 2014 | Uncategorised

Dispersal sale of the Hazelden herd will take place on 30th August 2014.

Below are a number of videos of the herd. Catalogue available shortly. Click on the links below to view videos.

Stock Bull:  Kyleston Demonarator 

Stock Bull: Skerrington Dynasty

Stock Bull: Hazelden Dynasty

Stock Bull: Grangewood Brandon

Freshly calved cows

Two year old calved heifers

Calved cows with Grangewood Brandon

Yearling heifers

Yearling heifers

Calved cows with Grangewood Brandon

Calved cows with Grangewood Brandon

Charity lot Hazelden Carina

Fresh calved cows

Simmental club selects teams for Turriff stockjudging finals

by Iain | Jul 6, 2014 | Uncategorised

The 25-cow Hiltonstown Herd based at Portglenone was the venue for the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s annual stockjudging competition.
Hosted by chairman Richard Rodgers and family, the evening event attracted a good turnout of club members and friends from throughout the province.

The competition is staged annually to select two judging teams to represent Northern Ireland at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s national stockjudging finals. This year’s final takes place at Turriff Show in Aberdeenshire on Sunday 3^rd August.

Master judge was Keith Nelson who runs the 12-cow Scribby Farms Herd at Rosslea in County Fermanagh.

Competitors had to place four classes of cattle, which included senior and junior cows, in-calf heifers and maiden heifers.

Following stiff competition from the club’s Young Members’ Association entrants, the results were announced as follows:

Under 21 years-old – 1, Alice Stubbs, Irvinestown; 2, Jonathan Henderson, Tobermore; 3, Matthew Robson, Doagh; 4, Craig Cowan, Fivemiletown.

Under 30 years-old – 1, William Ferguson, Stewarstown, and Andrew Clarke, Tynan; 3, Zara Stubbs, Irvinestown; 4, Emma O’Neill.

The winner of the open senior class was Leslie Weatherup from Ballyclare.

The two top placed YMA competitors in each category will go forward to represent Northern Ireland at the Scottish finals in August. The junior judging teams are sponsored by Bank of Ireland, and the bank’s agricultural manager William Thompson as on-hand to congratulate the winners.

Visitors to the event also had an opportunity to guess the weight of a junior Simmental bull. Organised by the Rodgers family, this competition attracted strong interest from novice and experienced cattle breeders, and raised £120 for the Loughans School in Ballymena. The winner of the competition was Jim Hamilton from Rock, Dungannon.

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club vice-chairman Matthew Cunning thanked Bank of Ireland for its continued support of the young members. He also proposed a vote of thanks to the Rodgers family – Robert, Wilma, Richard and Sandra, for hosting the event and giving visitors an opportunity to view the noted Hiltonstown herd which has sold bulls to a top of 17,000gns at Stirling.

“A special word of thanks to the ladies who provided the delicious supper; and a big thank you to everyone for coming, and to our master judge Keith Nelson.  Congratulations to the winning team members and good luck at the UK finals!”

• The next event in the club’s annual calendar is Fermanagh County Show on Wednesday 6^th August, which will host the finals of the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition; and the presentation of the Danske Bank Male and Female of the Year Awards.
• The club’s annual charity BBQ will take place in Dungannon Rugby Club on Friday 8^th August. This year’s chosen charity is Friends of the Cancer Centre

Simmental raffle and BBQ to support local cancer charity

by Iain | Jun 17, 2014 | Uncategorised

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has announced that Friends of the Cancer Centre is its chosen charity for 2014.

In addition to the club’s annual charity BBQ and auction, a prize draw has been organised by club member Pat Kelly from Tempo.

Tickets for the prize draw are priced at £2 each, or a book containing three tickets can be purchased for £5.

Prizes include: two nights B&B for two people at the Slieve Russell hotel in Derrylin; one tonne of Excelsior pedigree feed from Fane Valley; a mid-week B&B stay for two people in a lake view room at the Lough Erne Golf Resort and Spa; a £200 Marks and Spencer voucher; and a meal for two at the award-winning MacNean Restaurant at Blacklion, County Cavan, as well as cookery book signed by celebrity chef Neven Maguire.

The winning tickets will be drawn at the club’s annual BBQ which takes place at Dungannon Rugby Club on Friday, 8^th August at 8pm.

Club chairman Richard Rodgers said:”I would like to encourage everyone to support this year’s charity BBQ and raffle. There are some fantastic prizes on offer, and the BBQ is great opportunity for breeders and their friends to get together for a bit of craic, and raise much needed funds for a very worthy cause.”

Friends of the Cancer Centre is a leading local charity based at the heart of Belfast City Hospital’s Cancer Centre. The charity relies heavily on voluntary donations, and makes a real and meaningful difference to thousands of patients and their families from across Northern Ireland.

Tickets for the prize draw and the BBQ are available from club committee members. Alternatively contact secretary Robin Boyd on 07799 346784; chairman Richard Rodgers on 07712 894727, or Pat Kelly on 028 89541332.

Simmental judging event at Hiltonstown herd on June 17

by Iain | Jun 9, 2014 | Uncategorised

All roads will lead to Portglenone on Tuesday evening June 17, for the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s annual stockjudging competition and farm walk.

Commencing at 7.00pm, the event will be hosted by the 25-cow Hiltonstown Herd owned by club chairman Richard Rodgers and family, at 13 Race Road, Portglenone, County Antrim, BT44 8EP.

During the evening the highest placed competitors (under 30-years-old) will be selected to form teams to represent Northern Ireland at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s National Stockjudging Competition. This year’s final takes place at Turriff Show in Aberdeenshire on Sunday 3rd August.

Club secretary Robin Boyd said: “The club selects two judging teams to compete at the national finals. There will be two junior competitors, under 21; and two senior competitors, under 30, going forward to the finals in Scotland.

“We are indebted to Bank of Ireland for its continued sponsorship of our young judges.”

The NI Simmental Club’s Young Members’ Association co-ordinator Zara Stubbs is urging all club members and their families to attend next week’s stockjudging event. “The club’s annual stockjudging competition provides Simmental enthusiasts with an opportunity to get together socially and put their stock judging skills to the test.

“Thanks to the Rodgers family for agreeing to host the competition, and to Bank of Ireland for its generous financial backing.”

Everyone is welcome! For further information contact club secretary Robin Boyd on mobile: 07799 346784.

Simmentals crowned best breed on parade at Ballymena Show

by Iain | Jun 3, 2014 | Uncategorised

The Simmentals impressed Scottish judge Alasdair Houston to secure the award for the best breed on parade at last weekend’s Ballymena Show.

The line-up of prize winning Simmental cattle was led by the day’s male and supreme overall champion Dermotstown Delboy, exhibited by the father and son team of Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare.

Fresh from success at Balmoral Show a few weeks ago, this twenty-month-old bull caught the eye of County Donegal judge Bertie Houston, to take his second successive breed title. Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, he notched up a string of awards in southern Ireland last year, and was purchased privately by the Weatherup’s as a stock bull for their 35-cow Lisglass herd.

Claiming the reserve supreme honours was the female champion Ranfurly Weikel 11^th from David and Jonny Hazelton’s herd at Dungannon, County Tyrone. This February 2012 born Hillcrest Champion daughter is bred from the herd’s prolific brood cow South Park King Kong Weikel 2^nd.

The reserve male award went to the junior bull Slievenagh Emperor exhibited by Robin and Darla Boyd, and sons Christopher and Jamie, Portglenone. This  fourteen-month-old bull is by Curaheen Apostle, and out of a home-bred dam.

Later in the day Slievenagh Emperor, and herd mate Slievenagh Extra Special, won the interbreed pairs award under the expert eye of James Playfair-Hanney from Roxburghshire.

Runner-up for the female championship was the three-year-old cow Lisglass Clover 2^nd from Leslie and Christopher Weatherup. She was sired by the 10,000gns Slimero Victory, and is out of a dam carrying the Kilbride Farm prefix.

Ballymena Show is one of the NI Simmental Club’s nominated points shows for the Danske Bank-sponsored Male and Female of the Year Awards. It also hosted the second qualifying round of the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year Competition.

The qualifiers were Ashland Lady Ann 2^nd and Ashland Ella Beauty from Pat and Frank Kelly’s herd at Tempo, County Fermanagh.

Class results include:

Cow, born before 01/01/11 – 1, Mrs Thelma Gorman, Armagh, Woodford Paula by Ballintlea King.

Cow or heifer, born in 2011 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, Lisglass Clover 2^nd by Slimero Victory.

Heifer, born between 01/01/12 and 30/06/12 – 1, David Hazelton, Dungannon, Ranfurly Weikel 11^th.

Heifer, born between 01/07/12 and 31/12/12 – 1, Mrs Thelma Gorman, Woodford Paula 2 by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Michael and Eamon McCloskey, Kilrea, Drumagarner Diamond by Barnattin Wally; 3, Pat Kelly, Tempo, Ashland Lady Ann 2^nd by Ashland Brandy.

Heifer, born between 01/01/13 and 31/08/13 – 1, Pat Kelly, Ashland Ella Beauty by Kilbride Farm Ahoghill; 2, Richard Rodgers, Portglenone, Hiltonstown Emerald by Auroch Amos; 3, Raymond Porter, Omagh, Killynure Elsie by Omorga Volvo.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/12 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Dermotstown Delboy by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Bull, born between 01/01/13 and 31/08/13 – 1, Robin Boyd, Portglenone, Slievenagh Emperor by Curaheen Apostle; 2, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Extra Special by Kilbride Farm Bantry; 3, Raymond Porter, Killynure Elvan by Omorga Murray.

Bull or heifer calf, born on or after 01/09/13 – 1, Mrs Thelma Gorman, Woodford Penny by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup; 2, Robin Boyd; 3, Pat Kelly.

Balmoral Show 2014: Second successive supreme Simmental title for Lisglass

by Iain | May 16, 2014 | Uncategorised

Ballyclare-based breeders Leslie and Christopher Weatherup dominated the Simmental section at Balmoral Park for the second year in succession.

The father and son team who run the 35-cow Lisglass herd, claimed the male and supreme overall championship ribbons with their twenty-month-old stock bull Dermotstown Del Boy ET. Bred by Chris White from Dublin, he was sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, and was purchased privately at eleven-months-of-age.

This bull has won a string of awards in Ireland, including the National Yearling Bull Championship at last year’s Tullamore Show.  Leslie Weatherup confirmed that semen is available for sale.

Scottish judge Gordon Clark, who runs the 40-cow Broombrae herd at Fife, said it was an excellent show with some particularly strong classes, especially the intermediate and junior heifer classes. He described the overall champion as an outstanding bull. “He has tremendous ring presence, excellent conformation, and is full of breeder character. “

Claiming the reserve supreme award at the 146^th Balmoral Show was Slievenagh Emperor, a March 2013 born bull bred by Robin and Darla Boyd, and sons Christopher and Jamie, Portglenone.   He also secured the junior, reserve male and exhibitor-bred championship titles.

Sired by the 9,200 Euro Curaheen Apostle ET – a bull bred from North Amercian genetics, his dam is Slievenagh Aileen – one of 25-cows in the herd founded in 1979.

“The reserve champion is another excellent bull. He has length, great muscular development, and is a great prospect for the future,” added the judge.

The female and reserve exhibitor-bred championships went to Ballymoney Dora, an August 2012 born Celtic Rock daughter, bred by Noel and Mai Kilpatrick from Banbridge, who have made a return to pedigree Simmental breeding after ten years. The judge commented: “She is a lovely fleshy heifer, very feminine and full of breed character.”

Standing reserve in the female line-up, and also taking the day’s reserve junior award, was Ballinlare Farm Empress, a January 2013 born heifer from Joe Wilson’s 60-cow herd at Newry. She is a daughter of the herd’s 20,000gns stock bull Auchorachan Wizard, and is out of a home-bred Milnafua Jordan dam whose sons have topped 4,200gns at Stirling.

Results from the judging ring include:

Cow, born before 01/01/11 – 1, Mrs Thelma Gorman, Woodford Paula by Ballintlea King.

Cow or heifer, born in 2011 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Clover by Slimero Victory.

Heifer, born between 01/01/12 and 30/06/12 – 1, JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 11^th by Hillcrest Champion.

Heifer, born between 01/07/12 and 31/12/12 – 1, Noel and Mai Kilpatrick, Ballymoney Dora by Celtic Rock; 2, Pat and Frank Kelly, Ashland Lady Ann 2by Ashland Brandy; 3, Michael and Eamon McCloskey, Drumagarner Diamond by Barnattin Wally.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/13 – 1, Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Empress by Auchorachan Wizard; 2, Derek Costello, Barnattin Edel by Kilbride Farm Newry; 3, Pat Kelly, Ashland Ella Beauty by Kilbride Farm Ahoghill.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/12- 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Dermotstown Delboy by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Stephen Millar, Glenrock Delbert by Heathbrow Niagara.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/13 – 1, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Emperor by Curaheen Apostle; 2, Slievenagh Extra Special by Kilbride Farm Bantry; 3, Raymond Porter, Killynure Elvan by Omorga Murray.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Robin Boyd; 2, Messrs McDowell and Martin; 3, Pat Kelly.