Herd health on agenda at Simmental AGM

by Iain | Apr 24, 2014 | Uncategorised

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club held its AGM recently in Dungannon.

Guest speaker for the evening was veterinary surgeon John Gilmore, who is a partner in a large animal practice based in County Roscommon.

Working in a heavily populated suckler farming area, Mr Gilmore specialises in herd health issues, focusing on diseases which affect cows and newborn calves.  Two years ago the practice set up an in-house laboratory testing for diseases such as BVD and Johnes.

He highlighted a few statistics from Ireland’s national suckler herd, and stressed the importance of good herd management and nutrition, especially mineral supplementation.

Mr Gilmore has carried out extensive research into the use of various boluses for cattle. He recommends the tracesure® bolus from Animax, as it contains four essential trace elements – copper, selenium, cobalt and iodine, and one application lasts up to six months.

“When buying boluses don’t base your decisions solely on price,” he said. “It’s important to compare the mineral content.

“High molybdenum and low copper intakes can reduce growth, depress immunity and have a hard-hitting impact on reproductive performance. Low iodine is a common problem in cows, and can lead to reduced fertility, poor weight gain, general ill-thrift, abortions and stillbirths, reduced milk yields, and susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Mr Gimore added:”A lack of selenium can lead to stillbirths and reduced fertility, while cobalt is necessary for ruminants to maintain the vital production of vitamin B12, otherwise animals will suffer from depressed appetites and won’t thrive.”

Concluding he urged breeders to look closely at the importance of mineral supplementation, and stressed the importance of good quality colostrum for newborn calves. He also advised herd owners that the most beneficial time to administer boluses is six to eight weeks prior to calving.

The election of office bearers for 2014/15 was conducted by club member Robert Forde from the Mullyknock Herd based at Tempo, County Fermanagh.

The following members were elected: chairman, Richard Rodgers, Hiltonstown Herd, Portglenone; vice-chairman, Matthew Cunning, Point Farms Herd, Glarryford; treasurer, Leslie Weatherup, Lisglass Herd, Ballyclare; secretary, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Herd, Portglenone.

Committee members for the forthcoming term include: Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm Herd, Cookstown; Chris Traynor, Rosemeadow Farm Herd, Armagh; Patsy McDonald, Coolcran Herd, Tempo; Thelma Gorman, Woodford Herd, Armagh; Joe Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Herd, Newry; David Hazelton, Ranfurly Herd, Dungannon, Conrad Fegan, Knockreagh Herd, Rostrevor; and Andrew Clarke, Breaghey Herd, Tynan

The committee also includes regional society council representatives Michael Robson, Kilbride Farm Herd, Doagh; Robert Rodgers, Hiltonstown Herd, Portglenone; Robin Boyd.

Club treasurer Leslie Weatherup reported on the club’s healthy financial situation.

Forthcoming club events include:

Wednesday, 28^th May – Evening show and sale of pedigree and commercial Simmental cattle, Ballymena Mart – show 4pm, sale at 7pm. Catalogues from JA McClelland and Sons Ltd on tel: 028 2563 3470.

Tuesday, 17^th June – Junior Stockjudging competition and farm walk, at Rodgers family’s Hiltonstown Herd, 13 Race Road, Portglenone – 7pm.

Friday, 8^th August – Annual charity BBQ and auction in aid of Friends of Cancer NI, at Dungannon Rugby Club – 8pm.

Anyone interested in joining the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club should contact secretary Robin Boyd on mobile: 07799 346784.

Simmental breeders collect awards

by Iain | Apr 10, 2014 | Uncategorised

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club held its annual dinner and presentation of awards recently in Dungannon.
Club chairman Nigel Glasgow reflected on another successful year, and thanked the sponsors for their continued financial support.

The trophies were presented by Mrs Phyllis Glasgow and were awarded as follows:

Danske Bank Silver Salver, for the champion at the club’s spring show and sale: Haystar Cracker bred by Gavin Hayes and Sons, Upper Ballinderry.

Trophy for best of opposite sex to the champion at the club’s spring show and sale: Derrycallaghan Crown Princess bred by Harold Stubbs, Lisbellaw.

Bruces Hill Cattle Company Trophy, for the champion at the club’s autumn show and sale:  Coolcrannel Dusty bred by William Phair, Lisbellaw.

SH Watterson (Oakland) Perpetual Cup, for the top priced bull at the club’s spring show and sale: Kilbride Farm Doagh bred by WH Robson and Sons, Doagh.

Irwin Perpetual Challenge Cup, for the supreme overall champion at Balmoral Show: Slieveroe Caroline owned by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare.

Silver Award, for the male champion at Balmoral Show:  Killynure Darwin bred by Raymond and Joan Porter, Omagh.

The News Letter Shield, for the junior champion at Balmoral Show: Killynure Darwin bred by Raymond and Joan Porter.

Bobby Gamble Perpetual Challenge trophy, for the best Simmental heifer at Balmoral Show: Slieveroe Caroline owned by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup.

Bangor and Six Road Ends Trophy, and British Simmental Cattle Society cow bell, for the female champion at Balmoral Show: Slieveroe Caroline owned by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup.

Silver Award, for the best exhibit bred in Northern Ireland: Killynure Darwin bred by Raymond and Joan Porter.

Irwins Feeds Perpetual Challenge Cup, for the best junior bull at Clogher Valley Show: Ranfurly Dominator bred by David and Jonny Hazelton, Dungannon.

Danske Bank Crystal Award, for the Female of the Year: Slieveroe Caroline owned by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup.

Danske Bank Crystal Award, for the Reserve Female of the Year: Magheracrigan Clare 2^nd bred by Wesley Abraham, Irvinestown.

Danske Bank Crystal Award, for the Male of the Year: Killynure Darwin bred by Raymond and Joan Porter, Omagh.

Danske Bank Crystal Award, for the Reserve Male of the Year: Ranfurly Dominator bred by David and Jonny Hazelton.

Merial Animal Health Crystal Award, for the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year: Cleenagh Dazzler and Cleenagh Darius bred by Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge.

DANI Rosebowl, for the best performance recorded Simmental bull: Killynure Darwin bred by Raymond and Joan Porter.

Perpetual Shield, for the Young Stockperson of the Year: Jamie Boyd, Portglenone.

Pair of Engraved Crystal Goblets, for the champion at Balmoral Show: Leslie and Christopher Weatherup.

Betty Walker Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup, for the Club Member of the Year 2013: Leslie Weatherup.

Carnkern Cup, for the winner of the under 21 stockjudging competition: Craig Cowan, Fivemiletown.

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club Cup, for the winner of the open stockjudging competition: Keith Nelson, Rosslea.

Pictures: Kevin McAuley Photography

English Premier Show & Sale Newark

by British Simmental | Apr 9, 2014 | Uncategorised

The Inaugural Pedigree English Premier Show and Sale took place at Newark on Saturday 29th March. Judge for the day was Mr Simon Key, Abbey Farm, Mundham, Norwich.

Top price on the day was for Williams Draco, a Darhsam Playboy son, out of a Blackford Lancer daughter from Hayley and Andrew Clarke, Mrs H Clarke, William Clarke Livestock LTD, Model Farm, Brick Kiln Road, Hevingham, Norwich, Norfolk NR10 5NL, selling for 4000gns to messrs  Player Nottingham.

Next best was the 3rd placed Burghbridge Damian, a strathisla Popeye son out of a BrinktonMajor daughter selling for 3500gns

At 3000gns, Shannock Danny Boy from Ian and Julie Turvey, Mr I & Mrs J Turvey, 10 Litester Close, North Walsham, Norwich, Norfolk NR28 9JA , a Rathlee Ben son out of a Shannock Pride daughter.

Champion on the day came from the Midhope herd of John, Val and Craig Hollingsworth, Midhope Hall Farm, Midhopestones, Sheffield S36 4GW, Midhope Cherry, a Corskie Wealth daughter, out of a Dirnanean Snowie daughter, she sold in calf to Delfur Chas for 3300gns

Reserve Champion came out of the same Midhope stable, and was the same way bred, Midhope Dove, again in calf to Delfur Chas  selling for 3500gns

3rd top price female and completing a day of domination also came from the Midhope herd, Midhope Charm, a Dirnanean Snowie daughter, out of a Dyfed Lord daughter, again in calf to Delfure Chas selling for 3000gns –  Mr P V Joliffe Star Green Herd

Averages 6 Bulls @£3132 19 Females @£2013

Embryo Calves

by Iain | Mar 24, 2014 | Uncategorised

Embryo Calves. Please note that we are now able to add embryo calves to the recipient dams calving record so that this information is now recorded against both the Donor cow and the recipient, providing that the recipient is a pure Simmental and currently fully registered in the British Simmental Herd book. The EBV’s will still go against the Donor Cow/Sire
Should you have any queries relating to this, please contact the office.

Bristol Sale – 10th May 2014

by British Simmental | Mar 14, 2014 | Uncategorised

Entry forms now available for Bristol Sale – 10^th May, Closing date 4^th April
Click here to download >>>

Entries coming in fast for English National Show – Royal Norfolk Showground – 25th & 26th June

by Iain | Mar 14, 2014 | Uncategorised

We are in the first week of the schedule being out and we have already received 85 Entries. If you are planning to show your cattle please submit your entries or book your stalls as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Schedules are available for the English National Show. Anyone interested please visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk