Welsh Winter Fair: Guess the combined weight of the Cow & Calf in KG competition
Guess the combined weight of the Cow & Calf in KG competitionCombined weight was 820Kg, Cow – 530Kg & calf – 290Kg.
Thank you to all those that took part.
Dual-purpose Simmental Ticks Boxes on Down Farm
by Julie Hazelton
When it comes to breeding functional suckler cows with superior mothering qualities the Simmental is the ultimate breed of choice for County Down herd owners Brian and John Edgar.
The Edgar brothers farm a total of 350 acres of owned and rented land near Tyrella on the outskirts of Downpatrick. The main enterprises on the farm include a 90-cow suckler herd, 300 commercial ewes, and a small flock of pedigree Texels. John’s sons, William and John, also take a keen interest in the business.
The farm is predominately grass-based with the exception of 45 acres of spring barley which is grown annually for feeding and bedding.
Simmental bloodlines make up more than sixty per cent of the spring calving herd. “We like easy managed cows with big frames and plenty of milk, and the Simmental ticks all the boxes,” said Brian. “We found it difficult to source good quality Simmental heifers, so in 2006 we decided to buy a Simmental bull and breed our own herd replacements.”
The first stock bull purchased was Ranfurly Romeo 2nd, a Salisbury Challenger son from David Hazelton’s herd at Dungannon. He was male champion at the NI Simmental Club’s show and sale, and turned out to be a sound investment as John jnr explained:”Romeo was a super bull with a nice temperament, and he produced excellent calves. We sold him when he was nine-years-old as there were six generations of his female progeny in the herd.”
When buying a stock bull the Edgar family like an animal with length, good size for age, sound legs and feet, and good overall conformation and hindquarters. “Personally we like deep red coloured bulls because they throw nicely marked calves. We don’t put a lot of emphasis on performance figures, but if we like a bull on visual appearance and it has good figures then it’s a bonus,” added Brian.
Ranfurly Romeo 2nd was in the breed’s top 5% for milk +10, and had a Breedplan daughter calving ease score of +1.2 in the top 25%, and an eye muscle area of +3 in the breed’s top 30%.
“Romeo bred some tremendous daughters, like peas in pod, and they are the backbone of our herd today,” said William.
The Edgar’s are currently running two Simmental stock bulls on the farm. They are Lisglass Bionic ET, purchased at Dungannon in March 2012 for 3,300gns from Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare. This first prize winner is a Kilbride Farm Newry son, bred from the Carnkern Titan daughter, Cleenagh Hazel – full sister to the noted brood cow Cleenagh Daffodil.
He is in the breed’s top 10% for milk +8 and self-replacing index +84, and in the top 15% for calving ease +2.1.
The most recent bull to join the herd was Spelga View Champion, bought privately from breed newcomer John Jardine, Banbridge. Sired by Celtic Rock, he is bred from the Kilbride Farm Viduka daughter, Longbeach Amy, and is +5 for milk, and in the breed’s top 5% for terminal sire index +86 and self-replacing index +95.
Heifers calve into the herd at around two-years-old. John jnr said: “Simmentals are docile and easy to work with, and the calves are lively and growthy from birth. The breed’s fertility is also excellent, with a large percentage of the cows holding to first service.”
William added; “Cows and heifers are easy calved, and they have plenty of milk, and can easily rear twins. We like half and three-quarter-bred Simmental cows, and we use another continental bull to keep hybrid vigour within the herd and to stop the cows getting too pure.”
During winter the cows are housed in straw-bedded sheds, and fed a diet of silage, straw and minerals. They are turned out in March immediately after calving, and fed on grass until they are re-housed in late October or early November.
Calves are weaned at around eight-months-of-age, and divided into batches, bullocks and heifers. They receive silage and a specially formulated ration which is manufactured by a local miller using the farm’s home-grown barley.
Every year the best heifers are retained within the herd as replacements, while surplus maiden heifers suitable for breeding are sold privately to repeat customers for premium prices. The bullocks and remaining heifers are sold off grass as stores at around eighteen-months-old.
Three weeks ago the Edgar family sold a group of 2012-born steers at Downpatrick Mart and were very pleased with the prices achieved – 580kgs at £1,100, 590kgs at £1,100 and 554kgs at £1,090, while heifers peaked at £800 for 370kgs.
“It has been a great summer and the calves have been really thriving,”said John jnr. “We were thinking of selling some of the calves directly off the cows this year.”
Brian added:”The Simmental suits our system, and its dual-purpose traits make it ideal for producing females for herd replacements, while the bullocks are economical to rear and attract a ready market in the store ring. “
Quality throughout all classes at Stars of the Future Calf Show
Classes for young Simmental cattle were strong at this year’s Stars of the Future Calf Show, which for the first time was being held at United Auctions, Stirling.
Taking centre stage for the judging was Robert McKnee and he found his overall senior champion in the form of Finlay McGowan’s senior female champion Dirnanean Arue D22. Born August 2012 she is by Skerrington Vanguard and out of Dirnanean Veronica V5.
Following her in to reserve senior overall was the reserve senior female Overhill House Damson from Richard McCulloch. This Blackford Ben Mhor daughter is out of Raceview Amy Romona.
The senior male championship was awarded to Islavale Dudley from Stewart Stonach, he is a Chestermann Varney son out of Islavale Whisper.
Standing reserve to him was Islavale Debonair 2 from the same home, he is a Glenturk Premier son out of Islavale Chloe.
In the junior championship it was Auroch Eve who won for Barlow Brothers having already picked up junior female champion. This March born Auroch Ace daughter is out of Auroch Wave who goes back to Raceview Merle Beauty. She was purchased privately and stood champion Simmental calf champion at Agri-Expo on her first outing.
Reserve junior champion was the junior male champion Auchorachan Egan from Michael Durno. This February born Omorga Regan son is out of Auchorachan Tara.
Standing reserve junior female was R and P McAlister’s Bruchag Emma, an Omorga Volva daughter out of Bruchag Tanya, while the reserve junior male went to Drumsleed Explosion from Gerald and Morag Smith. He is a March born Auroch Ace son out of Drumsleed Suzie.
Results
Judge: Robert McNee
Class 18 Bulls Born 24th July to 30th August 2012
1st – W Stronach – Islavale Debonair 2
Class 19 Heifers Born 14th August to 23rd September 2012
1st – F McGowan – Dirnanean Arue D22
2nd – L Moffat – Innerwick Dove
3rd – L Moffat – Innerwick Dorothy
Class 20 Bulls Born 1st September to 30th September 2012
1st – W Young – Skerrington Dacron
2nd – JC McLaren – Dargill Dodge
Class 21 Heifers Born 9th October to 28th October 2012
1st – R McCulloch – Overhill House Damson
2nd – J & P Goldie – Newbiemains Devotion
3rd – J & P Goldie – Newbiemains Dollyburd
Class 22 Bulls Born 1st October to 22nd November 2012
1st – W Stronach – Islavale Dudley
2nd – A Wilson – Cairnview Danny Boy
3rd – J & P Goldie – Newbiemains Dominator
Class 23 Bulls Born 2nd January to 16th February 2013
1st – D Durno – Auchorachan Egan
2nd – E McAlister – Islabute Extreme
3rd – R McCulloch – Overhill House Enhance
4th – G & M Smith – Drumsleed Echo
Class 24 Heifers Born 5th January to 9th March 2013
1st – Barlow Brothers – Auroch Eve
2nd – R & P McAlister – Bruchag Emma
3rd – A Wilson – Cairnview Sonia 2nd
4th – J & P Goldie – Newbiemains Eleanor
Class 25 Bulls Born 4th March to 25th April 2013
1st – G & M Smith – Drumsleed Eldorado
2nd – D Craig – Kennox Eric
3rd – Strathisla Farms – Strathisla Ensign
4th – W Young – Skerrington Enigma
Class 26 Heifers Born 12th March to 7th April 2013
1st – D Craig – Kennox Emile
2nd – R McCulloch – Woodhall Effie
3rd – Strathisla Farms – Strathisla Edel’s Twiggy
4th – R McCulloch – Woodhall Erica
Class 27 Heifers Born 8th March to 13th April 2013
1st – J & P Goldie – Newbiemains Eclypse
2nd – Strathisla Farms – Strathisla Enigma’s Veronica
3rd – R Brown – Earnmains Eliza
Woodford Heifer Leads Dungannon Simmental Entry at 2,800 guineas
Pedigree Simmental heifers reached a ceiling of 2,800gns, while bulls sold to a top of 2,400gns at the Northern Ireland club’s annual autumn show and sale, hosted by Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Sale leader at 2,800gns was the day’s reserve female champion Woodford Daisy 2nd, bred and exhibited by Thelma Gorman, and husband Peter, from Armagh, County Armagh. Sired by Lurgill Barney, she was bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Patricia 2nd – one of two breeding cows in Mrs Gorman’s herd which was founded over 35 years ago.
Born in August 2012, the sale leader was described by judge Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, as a good fleshy heifer, and very correct. Buyer was Kingsley Bell from Aughnacloy.
Claiming the second highest price of the day was the male and supreme overall champion Coolcrannel Dusty, an eighteen-month-old entry consigned by Willie Phair from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh. Sired by the October 2010 junior and supreme Perth champion Drumlone Anchor, he is bred from the Sacombe Shamus daughter Coolcrannel Pam.
Mr Phair founded his six-cow herd in the mid 1970’s, and was delighted to win his first-ever championship at a breed club show and sale. Judge Christopher Weatherup from the 35-cow Lisglass Herd said:” Coolcrannel Dusty was the most stylish bull in the yard and a very worthy champion. He is long and clean, has excellent locomotion and a nice head.”
This bull is in the breed’s top one per cent for daughter calving ease +6.9, and has a Breedplan milk value of +4. Highest bidder was D McParland from Camlough, Newry.
Next best at 2,200gns was the third prize winning Longbeach Darius bred by Sean and Josephine Burns from Rathfriland, County Down. Born in May 2012, he is by the Hillcrest Champion son Curaheen Vio, and is out of the home-bred Kilbride Farm Lennox daughter Longbeach Sheila.
This one caught the eye of Stephen Buick, who was bidding on behalf of the Edenvale Herd, owned by the event’s show sponsor, Mike Frazer of the Bruces Hill Cattle Company based at Kells, County Antrim.
Three lots came under the hammer of auctioneer Trevor Wylie at 2,000gns each. They included Ballyvallough Captain, the reserve male and reserve supreme champion bred by Andy Weatherup, Larne, County Antrim. This two-year-old entry was sired by Omorga Volvo, and is out of the home-bred Ballyvallough Sheila. He sold to John Todd from Portadown, County Armagh.
The female championship went to the August 2012 born Scribby Farms Darlene, bred by Keith and Andrea Nelson, Rosslea, County Fermanagh. She was sired by Drumlone Anchor and is bred from Drumacritten Wilma. This one failed to meet the vendor’s expectations and was unsold.
A draft entry of females from Sean Burns’ herd peaked at 2,800gns, realised by the March 2010 born Longbeach Nancy 2nd, by herd stock bull Kilbride Farm Viduka. She is scanned in-calf to Banwy Wonderboy, and was accompanied by her January born bull calf by the 20,000gns Perth champion Auchorachan Wizard.
Cecil McIlwaine from the Corrick Herd based at Newstownstewart, County Tyrone, also offered a draft heifer entry which topped at 2,000gns, realised by the nine-month-old Corrick Dolly. Sired by Curaheen Apostle ET, she is out of a home-bred dam by the 21,000gns Corrick Kentucky Kid.
There as a strong demand for commercial Simmental females with cows and calves peaking at £1,680 twice, paid to Seamus Casey from Dungannon. Mr Casey also realised £1,540, £1,520 and £1,500 for cows with calf at foot.
In-calf heifers topped at £1,460, £1,300, £1,220 and £1,200 twice for Seamus Casey.
Maiden heifers sold to a top of £725 over weight, paid to Roland Hadden, Dungannon, for a 455kgs heifer at £1,180 (259). Roland Hadden also realised £685 over weight for a 455kgs heifer at £1,140 (250), and £680 over weight for a 450kgs heifer at £1,130 (251).Messrs M and E Rice from Castlewellan sold at £640 over weight, realised by a 460kgs heifer at £1,100 (239).
The commercial section of the one-day event was generously sponsored by McGirr Haulage based at Tempo, County Fermanagh.
Results from the pedigree judging ring:
Class 1, bull born between 08/10/11 and 30/04/12 – 1, Willie Phair, Coolcrannel Dusty by Drumlone Anchor; 2, Andy Weatherup, Ballyvallough Captain by Omorga Volvo; 3, Frank and Matthew Cunning, Pointfarms Dominator by Hiltonstown Warrior.
Class 2, bull born between 01/05/12 and 12/06/13 – 1, Kenneth Stubbs, Drumbulcan Darren by Omorga Regan; 2, Brian Cowan, Owenskerry De-Lorean by Drumlone Anchor; 3, Sean Burns, Longbeach Darius bby Curaheen Vio.
Class 3 – heifer born between 02/11/11 and 31/08/12 – 1, Keith and Andrea Nelson, Scribby Farms Darlene by Drumlone Anchor; 2, Thelma Gorman, Woodford Daisy 2nd by Lurgill Barney; 3, William and George Nelson, Drumacritten Caroline by Drumlone Anchor.
Averages: 5 bulls £2,226; 14 pedigree females £1,861.
Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Newark Commercial Sale Report
Click here to view mart report
Bosahan Herd wins Most Improved Simmental Herd Award
The Bosahan herd owned by the Olds family, of Constantine, near Falmouth, has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Herd of Simmental cattle in England for 2013.
The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (BRP) to the recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial characteristics over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of 10 UK breeds.
Bosahan farm has been in the Olds family since 1964 and was a dairy enterprise for 42 years. However, due to a change in circumstances, they made the decision to sell the Trewardreva dairy herd in 2006 and concentrate more simply on the home farm, which is made up of 50 acres of permanent grassland and 20 acres of woodland.
The Simmental herd was established soon after the dairy herd was sold when John, having been impressed by the temperament of the Simmental breed, purchased four second calvers. The following month, they came home from the Bristol Society sale with several additions to the herd, including a stock bull. These seven foundation cows went on to produce an impressive 17 heifer calves in three years.
John and Bridget aim to keep the herd at around 25 cows plus followers, as this suits the available housing and grazing. The herd currently numbers 28 cows, therefore, for the first time since establishing the herd, numbers will need to be reduced as winter approaches. Several more mature cows with their calves at foot will be sold over the next few months to make room for autumn calving heifers. Their bloodlines will continue to be represented in the herd by their retained daughters and, looking ahead, they can be more selective about the heifers they want to retain.
Production cycle
The Bosahan herd calves from October through to March, with the calving period being spread out as a result of purchasing cows in calf. As a result, cows are bulling and are served at different times of year. Heifers are calved down at around two years and nine months old.
While they are housed over the winter, the cattle are fed home-produced silage, supplemented with concentrates. Creep feed is offered to calves from around 12 weeks old and are weaned at around nine months old. Once bull calves are weaned, they are housed on woodchip and fed through an out of parlour feeder, which enables individual rations to be tailored to each animal’s appetite. At around 12 months of age, John and Bridget decide which are suitable to sell as breeding stock bulls, the remainder are finished within the next couple of months.
Ideally, all cattle are turned out in April and the bull kept with those he has recently served or who are still to go to him. At that stage, all cows are pregnancy diagnosed and pregnant cows are turned out separately. Fertility is an important consideration for commercial breeders and the mature cows in the Bosahan herd have an average a calving interval of 384 days.
Guided by the figures
John and Bridget have been performance recording the herd since 2009, as they believe that the figures help guide the herd in the right direction.
They initially began submitting weights then, in 2010, incorporated scanning to help identify which female families are producing the progeny with the best beef carcases. Now all youngstock within the herd are scanned in order to give more detailed information about the true potential of a sire or dam.
In terms of the important traits within the herd, John and Bridget aim for average calving ease and like calves from mature cows to weigh around 50kg. They believe 400 day weights are important and market bull beef at 13 to 14 months, by which time the animals weigh around 750kg and are killing out at around 55 per cent. Retail beef yield and eye muscle scores are also helping them successfully manage their finishing beef.
Having recently begun monitoring and selecting for milk figures, particularly in relation to heifer replacements, they are seeking improvements in the females’ ability to rear their calves.
The herd uses a stock bull, as well as a small amount of Artificial Insemination (AI). The present stock bull, Skerrington Armada, is serving the herd well, according to John.
“He is producing good-natured progeny that grow quickly,” he said.
“Young bulls are finishing at 13 to 14 months and his daughters should develop into strong, nurturing mothers.”
A stock bull generally remains active within the Bosahan herd for around three years and then is sold on as a mature stock bull when his heifers are ready for breeding.
Developing sales
John and Bridget have only recently begun selling animals from the herd and to date have mainly sold directly off the farm to both commercial and pedigree breeders. As well as having their own website and doing a small amount of advertising, they aim to attend their local shows. The Royal Cornwall Show, where they have enjoyed success over the years, has proved to be an excellent shop window for their stock.
Commenting on the win, John said: “Overall, we’re very pleased with our Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) figures and aim to continually improve genetic traits in our herd.
“There appears to be positive interest in the figures from both other breeders and producers, so hopefully our data will put us in a good position to develop our sales.”
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