British Simmental Cattle Society 2nd Sale of Leading Ladies

by Iain | Sep 16, 2013 | Uncategorised

The British Simmental Cattle Society held its second Leading ladies Sale at Carlisle on Saturday 14th September 2013.

Judge for the day was Mr John Moore, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

His over-all champion Newbiemains Connie, a Blackford Albatross daughter consigned from Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbiemains Farm, Annan, Dumfries made the top price of the day selling to new breeders Greyhound Estates Ltd, Upper Bucklebury, Reading, Berks for 8000gns

Second top price on the day again went to The Goldies for Newbiemains Charmer, another Blackford Albatross daughter, she sold for 3900gns to Heather Duff, Pitmudie, Brechin, Angus.

Third top went to Society President Iain Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Elgin for Corskie Donna, a Popes Laird daughter selling to Greyhound Estates Ltd for 3800gns.

13 heifers sold to average £3174 a 73% clearance.

Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington

Simmental Male and Female of the Year Awards Presented

by Iain | Aug 20, 2013 | Uncategorised

The Male and Female of the Year Awards sponsored by Danske Bank is one of the most prestigious competitions in the Northern Ireland Simmental Club’s annual calendar.

The competition has been running since 1997, and in keeping with its long-standing tradition, the winners were announced recently at Fermanagh County Show in Enniskillen. The crystal awards and rosettes were presented by Danske Bank’s head of agricultural relations John Henning, who was accompanied by Rodney Brown and Matthew Johnston.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow thanked Danske Bank for its continued commitment to the competition. “This is a strongly contested competition amongst breeders annually, and the club is indebted to Danske Bank for its generous sponsorship.

“Prizes mean points, as the winners are determined using a scoring system which is collated at nominated shows throughout the season. Points are awarded to individual animals, and the higher the animal’s accolade in the show ring the bigger the points it earns.”

Claiming the 2013 Female of the Year title was the October 2011 born heifer Slieveroe Caroline, owned by Leslie Weatherup, and son Christopher, from Ballyclare, County Antrim. Sired by the popular Kilbride Farm Newry, and out of Clonagh Willow, she was bred by County Cork-based breeder Adrian Bateman, and joined the 40-cow Lisglass herd in November last year following a sale in Roscommon.

This much-admired heifer claimed the Weatherup famiy’s first-ever Balmoral Show championship in May, and went on to lift the supreme breed honours at Lurgan, Antrim and Enniskillen. She also scooped the female championship title at Armagh Show.

The reserve Female of the Year award went to Magheracrigan Clare 2nd, a home-bred Omorga Volvo daughter exhibited by Wesley Abraham from Irvinestown, County Fermanagh. This March 2011 born heifer was female champion at Omagh, and reserve female champion at Ballymena and Clogher. She stood first in her class at Lurgan, Armagh and Enniskillen, and was placed second at Balmoral Show.

Raymond and Joan Porter from Omagh, County Tyrone, secured the Male of the Year Award with their home-bred junior bull Killynure Darwin. Born in January 2012, this Omorga Murray son was bred from Killynure Twinkle – one of eight cows in the herd founded in 1983.

He notched up a string of accolades throughout the show season, including supreme champion at Ballymena, Armagh and Omagh, reserve champion at Lurgan and Enniskillen, and male champion at Balmoral Show.

Another home-bred junior bull, Ranfurly Dominator, secured the reserve Male of the Year Award for David and Jonny Hazelton from Dungannon, County Tyrone. Also by Omorga Murray, this April 2012 born entry was supreme breed champion at Saintfield, Castlewellan and Clogher, and reserve champion at Omagh and Antrim.

Success for Andrew at Simmental Judging Finals

by Iain | Aug 17, 2013 | Uncategorised

Northern Ireland competitor Andrew Clarke from Tynan, County Armagh, swept the boards at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s national stockjudging finals.

The young Simmental breeder who founded his six-cow Breaghey herd in 2008, claimed the Univet/Tulivin Laboratories Shield for the best individual international judge; as well as the New Trend Trophy for the best overall UK judge, and the Bert Borlase Trophy for the best judge under 21-years-old. Andrew and judging partner Zara Stubbs from Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, also won the under 21yrs team award.

This year’s competition, which was hosted for the first time in its history by the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club, was staged at Fermanagh County Show in Enniskillen. Master judges were Billy Robson OBE, and son Norman, from the noted Kilbride Farm Herd based at Doagh in County Antrim.

Young members travelled from throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to compete at the final. This year’s final also included an international element, with competitors from southern Ireland competing with their UK counterparts for the newly presented Univet/Tulivin Laboratories Shield.

Young Members Association co-ordinator Bridget Borlase thanked Brendan Crowe of Univet/Tulivin for the company’s generous sponsorship of the competition’s new international section. “My Irish counterpart Jenny Aherne has been instrumental in helping me get this new section of the competition off the ground. “We are delighted with this new shield which will be presented on an annual basis.”

British Simmental Cattle Society secretary Neil Shand congratulated the winners and thanked the Northern Ireland club for hosting the event. “The society is very proud of its Young Members’ Association, and we have recently spent almost £15,000 trying to promote the organisation and support our young breeders of the future. We recently introduced a one pound levy on all pedigree registrations to raise funds for the YMA kitty.”

He added: “There will be numerous benefits and opportunities open to our young members in the future, and I would urge everyone to join their regional club.”

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman Nigel Glasgow congratulated the winners and said it was a pleasure for the club to have had the opportunity to host the competition. During the three-day trip to Northern Ireland the young members visited several herds including, Kilbride Farm, Omorga, Ranfurly, Ballinlare Farm and Lisglass.

The awards were presented by British Simmental Cattle Society president Iain Green, at a dinner held at the Cohannon Inn near Dungannon.

Winners of the 2013 National Stockjudging Competition include:

Trophies

Bert Borlase Trophy, for the best individual under 21yrs: Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland.

McDonald Fraser Shield, for the best individual under 30yrs: Rebecca Hamilton, Northern Ireland.

New Trend Trophy, for the best overall winner: Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland.

Walkinshaw Trophy, for the best individual under 16yrs: Lizzie Harding, England.

International Shield for the best overall individual: Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland.

Indivduals

Sweep stakes – 1, Jane Pick, England; 2, Ian Steel, England; 3, Margaret Steele, England.

Under 21 individual – 1, Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland; 2, Richard Cummings, Wales; 3, Ellen Jones, Wales.

Under 30 individual – 1, Rebecca Hamilton, Northern Ireland; 2, Jonny Hazelton, Northern Ireland; 3, Varrie Loggie, Scotland.

Best reasons, under 21 – Richard Cummings, Wales.

Best reasons, under 30 – Angharad Francis, Wales.

Overall Winner – Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland. Reserve: Richard Cummings, Wales.

Team Awards

Under 21 team – 1, Zara Stubbs and Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland; 2, Ffion Rhys and Ellen Jones, Wales; 3, Carys Davis and Richard Cummings, Wales.

Under 30 team – 1,Varrie Loggie and Laura Green, Scotland; 2, Rebecca Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton, Northern Ireland; 3, Emma Bloomfield and Richard Saunders, England.

International

International, under 21– 1, Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland; 2, Richard Cummings, Wales; 3, Ellen Jones, Wales.

International, under 30 – 1, Niamh Oliver, Southern Ireland; 2, Rebecca Hamilton, Northern Ireland; 3, Jonny Hazelton, Northern Ireland.

International, best reasons under 21 – Richard Cummings.

International, best reasons under 30 – Niamh Oliver.

International winner – 1, Andrew Clarke, Northern Ireland.

John Key

by Iain | Aug 7, 2013 | Uncategorised

My Dad John Key (Key Simmentals) lost his long fight to Parkinson’s Disease on Thursday August 1st. It was very peaceful, at home with the sound of the cows and family around him.

Those who knew him would have met him around his beloved Shows and Sales. He loved people who had the same love as him, which is anything to do with cattle, especially Simmentals. His dry wit, quick one liners and his mischievousness will be sadly missed. He served on Council from 1989-1991 and he was honoured to represent the Breed.

Arguably his biggest success was the purchase of Ardo Figaro at the tender age at just over ten years old. This proved to be a master stroke for our herd and our farm and most importantly for the Breed. Figaro was 50% of the genetics in Camus Brandy, who then bred Dovefields Gallant, who then bred Kilbride Farm Newry. All who have had a massive input in the Breeding of Simmentals over the last 25 years.

There is a Thanks Giving Service on August 15th at 2pm at Mundham Church. I’d like to thank those who have been in contact since Dad’s passing.

Simon Key.

Bumper Simmental Entry at Enniskillen

by Iain | Aug 7, 2013 | Uncategorised

Simmental breeders were out in force at Fermanagh County Show, as the popular red and white continental beef breed dominated the cattle section with an entry in excess of 70 exhibits.

The bumper entry was judged by breed society president Iain Green from Scotland. He runs the noted 140-cow Corskie pedigree herd, alongside a 320-cow commercial enterprise, in partnership with his father Jimmy at Garmouth in Morayshire. “This is my first time judging in Northern Ireland, and I would like to compliment all of the exhibitors for putting on such a fantastic display of quality cattle. It has been a tremendous show!

“I have been astounded by the large numbers of quality animals in every class, several attracting entries in double figures. It’s definitely the best show of Simmentals I’ve ever seen, and it has been a great pleasure to judge them.”

Mr Green awarded the day’s supreme overall championship to the October 2011 born Slieveroe Caroline, brought out by the father and son team of Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, who run the 40-cow Lisglass herd based at Ballyclare, County Antrim. Bred by County Cork breeder Adrian Bateman, she was purchased at Roscommon in November last year for 2,800 Euros.

Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, and bred from Clonagh Willow, this intermediate heifer also claimed the female championship award. “This heifer caught my eye as soon as she entered the showring. She oozes power and breed character, and has a tremendous top and excellent locomotion,” explained the judge.

Standing in reserve supreme position was the male champion Killynure Darwin, bred by Raymond Porter, and wife Joan, from Omagh, County Tyrone, who established their 8-cow herd in 1983. He led a very strong line-up of ten junior bulls. Born in January 2012, this Omorga Murray son won was bred from Killynure Twinkle, and also scooped the prestigious DANI Rosebowl for the best performance recorded Simmental bull.

Iain Green added:”I was impressed with this bull’s sheer power. He has great breed character and good width all the way through.”

Making her showring debut, and claiming the reserve female championship was Luddenmore Artic Rosebud exhibited by Kenny Vetich from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh. Bought privately fifteen months ago from Dr Michael Sheahan, Killmallock, County Limerick, she is one of six pedigree Simmental cows in Mr Veitch’s Drumlone herd. She was shown with her Samark Superman bull calf at foot.

Reserve male champion was the October 2011 born Ballyvallough Captain bred by Andy Weatherup, who had travelled over 100 miles from Larne in County Antrim. Sired by Omorga Volvo, his dam is the home-bred Ballyvallough Sheila.

Fermanagh County Show in Enniskillen is the venue for the final of the hotly contested Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition, sponsored by Merial Animal Health. Seven pairs of animals which had qualified at selected shows throughout the summer were competing for the plaudits.

After much deliberation Iain Green tapped out Adrian Richardson’s junior bull duo, Cleenagh Dazzler and Cleenagh Darius, as the 2013 winners. This is the second year in succession that the Cleenagh herd has scooped the coveted Crystal Decanter and a 500mls pack of Ivomec Super injection presented by Philip Clarke of Merial Animal Health.

Cleenagh Dazzler and Cleenagh Darius are both sons of the herd’s jointly owned 10,000gns stock bull Drumlone Anchor – junior and supreme Perth champion in October 2010.

Runner-up was Noel Kilpatrick, Banbridge, County Down, with September 2012 born bulls Ballymoney Derek and Ballymoney David. These home-bred entries were sired by Celtic Rock and Derwentwood Nero.

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s Young Stockperson of the Year Award was presented to Jamie Boyd from Portglenone, County Antrim.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow congratulated the prize winners, and thanked all exhibitors for supporting the show. “Enniskillen traditionally marks the end of the show season, and this year’s event was extra special as our club was hosting breed enthusiasts from throughout the UK and Ireland. Local breeders certainly pulled out the stops, travelling from all over the country to put on a large show of quality Simmentals.”

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull calf born in 2013 – 1, Robert Forde, Mullyknock Echo by Omorga Volvo; 2, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Elvis by Longbeach Bosco; 3, Andrea and Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Elite by Drumlone Anchor.

Heifer calf born in 2013 – 1, Pat Kelly, Ashland Ella Beauty by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Kenneth Stubbs, Drumbulcan Estelle by Omorga Baldwin; 3, Kenneth Stubbs, Drumbulcan Errin by Omorga Baldwin.

Bull or heifer calf, born on or after 01/09/12 – 1, Harold Stubbs, Derrycallaghan Delboy by Sperrinview Brilliance; 2, Andrea and Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Daisy by Drumlone Anchor; 3, Chris Traynor, Rosemeadow May by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/12 1, Raymond Porter, Killynure Darwin by Omorga Murray; 2, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Dictator by Drumlone Anchor; 3, WD Hazelton, Ranfurly Dominator by Omorga Murray.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/11 – 1, Andy Weatherup, Ballyvallough Captain by Omorga Volvo.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/12 – 1, WD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 11th by Hillcrest Champion; 2, Eamon McCloskey, Drumnagarner Danielle by Barnattin Wally; 3, William and Margaret Nelson, Drumacritten Delia by Drumlone Anchor.

Heifer, born between 01/07/11 and 31/12/11 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Slieveroe Caroline by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Barry Chambers, Shanehill Amber by Omorga Volvo; 3, Gavin Hayes, Raceview Champion Verona by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Heifer, born between 01/01/11 and 30/06/11 – 1, Wesley Abraham, Magheracrigan Clare 2nd by Omorga Volvo.

Cow or heifer, born in 2010 – 1, John Moore, Omorga Bambi 5th by Cleenagh Flasher; 2, David Carson, Brookwood Beauty by Milton Lord Tiffany.

Cow, born before 01/01/10 – 1, Kenneth Veitch, Luddenmore Artic Rosebud by Raceview King; 2, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Tascha by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Group of three, property of exhibitor – 1, Adrian Richardson; 2, William and Margaret Nelson; 3, Duncan McDowell.

For more pictures from Enniskillen Show log on to http://www.macgregorphotography.com/

Enniskillen Simmental Finals

by Iain | Jul 20, 2013 | Uncategorised

Members of the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club are gearing up for next month’s Fermanagh County Show, which is the venue for the breed society’s national stockjudging finals.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow said:
”The club is honoured to be hosting the Simmental Young Members’ Association’s stockjudging finals. The Northern Ireland Club sends two teams annually to compete in the finals which are usually hosted by an agricultural show on the UK mainland. For the first time in the competition’s history the final is being staged in Northern Ireland, and we are looking forward to welcoming competitors from England, Scotland and Wales.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the quality of Simmental cattle in Northern Ireland. Local breeders are putting on a larger than usual display of Simmental cattle at Fermanagh County Show on Wednesday, August 7. “

Traditionally the Enniskillen venue marks the end of the show season for Simmental breeders, with seven qualifying pairs from other agricultural shows congregating for the final of the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition. The long-established Danske Bank Simmental Male and Female of the Year competition also reaches a climax, with the winners collecting rosettes and crystal awards.

The schedule for Fermanagh County Show includes 11 classes for Simmental cattle, as well as championship awards. Judge for this year’s event is British Simmental Cattle Society president Iain Green, from the noted Corskie Herd based in Morayshire.

The national stockjudging competition will take place in the afternoon, following the judging of the scheduled Simmental classes and championship presentations. The stockjudging results will be announced at a dinner in Dungannon later that evening.

This year the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club is putting forward three teams in each age category. Young members representing the local club at the national finals include:

Junior (under 21yrs): Craig Cowan, Fivemiletown; Joel Nelson, Rosslea; Zara Stubbs, Irvinestown; James Carson, Cookstown; Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry; and Andrew Clarke, Tynan.

Senior (21 to 30yrs): Shane McDonald, Tempo; Thomas Hamilton, Rock; William Ferguson, Stewartstown; Robert Hamilton, Rock; Chris Boyd, Portglenone; and Jonny Hazelton, Dungannon.

Young Members’ Association co-ordinator Zara Stubbs from Irvinestown is looking forward to welcoming the national competition to her homeland. “For years we have travelled across the water to compete at the national competition, and this year I am delighted that we are getting a chance to welcome fellow YMA members from the British Isles.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bank of Ireland for coming on board to sponsor the Northern Ireland teams. This year our team members will be wearing polo shirts and hoodies which have been embroidered with the Bank of Ireland logo, and the new NI Simmental Club logo designed by Farm Wardrobe.”