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.”

Steak from a Simmental Young Bull wins Asda/ABP Beeflink Great Yorkshire Show Steak Competition of 2013

by Iain | Jul 11, 2013 | Uncategorised

The third Asda/ABP BeefLink steak competition of the 2013 show season was won by a steak from a Simmental cross young bull bred by Bruce and Louise Quarman.
The steak came from a 345kg carcass which classified U-3 which was consigned to ABP’s York abattoir and is one the progeny from the couple’s 60 cow suckler herd based on Simmental, Limousin and British Blue genetics.

EBLEX Pedigree Bull Breeders’ Survey

by Iain | Jul 7, 2013 | Uncategorised

Eblex are asking pedigree bull breeders to complete an online survey to learn more about their production systems and selection processes.
To complete the survey click on the link below
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pedigreebullbreeders2013
The closing date for the survey is 30 August 2013.

Simmental Judges Out In Force At Bridgewater Farm

by Iain | Jul 1, 2013 | Uncategorised

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s annual stockjudging event attracted more than 130 club members and friends from throughout the Province.

The event was hosted by club chairman Nigel Glasgow, and his wife Phyllis, who own the noted Bridgewater Farm Herd based at Cookstown, in County Tyrone.

Judges, both novice and experienced, placed the four classes on cattle on show – senior heifers, junior heifers and two classes of cows. At the end of the evening everyone was keen to hear the opinions of master judge Robin Boyd from the Slievenagh Herd in Portglenone.

The club organises the event annually to select teams to represent Northern Ireland at the parent society’s national stockjudging finals. This year, for the first-time ever, the national event which attracts competitors from throughout the British Isles, is taking place in Northern Ireland. The venue is Fermanagh County Show at Enniskillen on Wednesday, August 7.

Normally the club selects two teams annually, two judges under 21 years-old, and two judges under 30-years-old. However, with the 2013 final taking place in County Fermanagh, the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club is putting forward three teams in each age category.

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club is also indebted to new sponsor Bank of Ireland, for its generous sponsorship of the young judges who will be competing at the national final.

William Thompson from Bank of Ireland was on-hand to congratulate the winners who qualified for team selection.

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

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

Winners of the open class were: 1, Keith Nelson, Rosslea; 2, George Nelson, Rosslea; 3, Sean McGarvey.

Everyone enjoyed the evening’s craic and a delicious BBQ supper.

Club vice-chairman Richard Rodgers thanked the Glasgow family for their hospitality and presented them with a token of the club’s appreciation.