by Iain | Feb 13, 2013 | Uncategorised
Hard work, commitment and enthusiasm have paid off for Lancashire farming and agribusiness family, the Barlows.
In the 1970s the family was the first in the UK to establish a pedigree milking herd of dual purpose MRI cattle, a pedigree Simmental herd and a trailer manufacturing business at Denizes Farm, Ulnes Walton, near Leyland.
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| Denizes Cadette 29 with from left to right, Matt, John and Sam |
Now the MRI cattle are in demand from dairy and beef breeders across the UK, the Simmentals are commanding top prices at pedigree sales and the trailer business, which is now a distributor for Ifor Williams, is the brand’s biggest distributor in the UK and has the country’s largest hire fleet.
Cattle are a passion for Michael Barlow, who runs Barlow trailers with his father, John, and brothers John and Graeme, establishing the Denizes Simmental herd in 1978 and taking on the running of the MRIs.
Michael’s sons share his enthusiasm for the cattle, with Matt, John, who is studying for a BSc honours degree at Myerscough College, and Sam all working on the family’s 138 ha which includes Littlewood Hall. Fourth son Thomas will work at home after completing an agribusiness degree at Harper Adams University College.
Michael is a member of the British Simmental Cattle Society’s council and is the young members representative. It was the boys’ great grandfather Albert who began farming at Littlewood Hall Farm after the Second World War and their grandfather Johnny began manufacturing trailers at Denizes in 1970.
The MRI herd was started when great uncle Tommy in the 1970s, after a visit to Holland where he saw the cattle, decided to switch to the breed from Dairy Shorthorns. Now the Littlewood MRIs work well together with the Denizes Simmentals and a small herd of pedigree Limousins also under the Littlewood prefix.
Cross bred Simmental/MRI bullocks sold up to £1,470 last autumn and averaged £1,250, achieving weights of 700kg finished off grass. They are also in demand as embryo recipients, making excellent dams because of their milkiness, and the Barlows use them to carry Simmental embryos.
Since Michael started the pedigree Simmental herd, the aim has been to include as many of the important cow families as possible and, currently, most are included even with only 25 breeding females. The majority of the herd is home-bred but a couple of significant recent purchases have further expanded the genetics.
“Our aim is to produce between 10 and 15 Simmental bulls for the society sales in Stirling, Carlisle and Bristol each year,” said John. “We have got most of the cow families we want and now the plan is to increase cow numbers from 25 to 70 to 80 and produce bulls for every sale,” he added.
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| Ranfurly Beauty 5 |
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photo by Julie Hazelton
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The heifer Ranfurly Beauty 5 was secured by Michael in a telephone bid for the top price of 16,500 gns at David Hazelton’s production sale last September in Co Fermanagh, breaking the breed’s record price for a maiden heifer. She has since been flushed and MRI cows are carrying five embryos by Heywood Handsome and Cairnview Snazzy.
A member of the Kim family was purchased in November in Roscommon from for 8,000 Euros, the top price of the sale. Raceview Cinderella Kim, purchased from Raymond and Marion O’Connell, will be flushed in the spring.
The Denizes herd has won the female championship three times at the Perth Stirling society sales but the best sale so far was in February 2011. Out of an entry of 200 cattle on the day, the Barlows took the top price of the sale at 17,000gns with 15 month old home bred bull Denizes Amazon, their female champion, the 30 month old heifer Denizes Nelly sold for 9,200gns.
Probably the herd’s best family to date and Michael’s favourite is the Melody family. It began with the purchase in 1999 of the heifer Brinkton Melody 10, a daughter of the famous ‘Golden’ show cow Stuartslaw Melody. Brinkton Melody’s daughter, Denizes Melody 2 won the reserve breed championship twice at the Royal Show.
Another successful family the Trixiebelles has had success in the show ring with Denizes Trixiebelle 3. By Ashland Tornado, she was first and senior heifer champion at the English National Show and she was in the winning sire group of three at the Three Counties Show. Her February 2012 daughter, Trixiebelle 6 was champion Simmental in a strong line-up at Borderway Agri Expo last November. Ashland Tornado, the herd’s six year old current stock bull, has added his stamp, siring some of the top selling progeny, including Amazon. The first seven of his sons sold at Stirling to average £6,500.
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| Denizes Cadette 29 |
A grand daughter of the oldest cow in the herd at 17, Denizes Cadette 8, Tornado daughter Cadette 29, a three year old heifer due to calve to Curaheen Apostle at the beginning of April, is entered for the Stirling sale on February 18.
Two home bred bulls by Tornado, Chicago 11 and Commander 11, out of the Cadette family, are also entered for the sale. Health is a priority and the cattle are Johnes and BVD accredited and the herd is in the SAC CHeCS health scheme.
The MRI milking herd currently runs to 48 cows, reduced because of the poor forage harvest last year and an increased number of stock generally. The plan is to increase the number of milkers to 60 to 70. Twenty per cent of the herd are crossed with the Simmental bull, a few going to the Limousin and the remainder bred pure. The herd averages 7,000 litres a cow with butterfat running at 4.12% and protein at 3.28% with milk being sold on a cheese contact to Milk Link and attracting 28ppl.
The attributes of the dual purpose breed which is long-lived and expected to average six lactations brings a ready number of purchasers of both pure bred and crossbred females from across the UK, including Scotland.
by Iain | Jan 5, 2013 | Uncategorised
The Ravensdale herd owned by Michael Hind, near Mayfield, East Sussex, has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Herd of Simmental cattle in England for 2012.
The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (Beef 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 11 UK breeds.
Michael Hind bought the 162ha (400 acre) Bungehurst Farm, Near Mayfield, East Sussex 14 years ago. He established the Ravensdale herd of pedigree Simmental with one bull and ten maiden heifers which calved down for the first time in 1998. A year later he also began breeding pedigree Sussex cattle. Numbers now stand at 20-25 Simmental cows, 35 Sussex cows plus a herd of 35 Sussex and Simmental crosses.
Both the pedigree herds have been performance recorded since they were established, and only performance recorded bulls are ever used. Mr Hind is looking particularly for easy calving and good milking traits and says there are plenty of recorded bulls to choose from.
The bulls are turned out with the cows from the beginning of June to the middle of August. Scanning takes places at the end of September and anything barren is culled. The herd is brought in and fed straw/silage at the end of October or early November. The heifers calve down in January followed by the cows at the beginning of March.
They are turned out during late April, weather and ground permitting and the calves are offered creep feed from the start of July. They are weaned in October.
When selecting which females to keep, Mr Hind with his farm manager, Brenda Hide have been looking in the past year or two for those with good milk figures based on 200 day weights, to counteract a couple of bulls used previously which proved poor for milk.
The poorer milking cows have now been culled from the herd and the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are now showing improvements in milking ability.
Bulls are chosen for easy fleshing, providing they have good size and mobility traits.
“Our current stock bull is four years old and will remain active in the herd for another three or four years,” says Mr Hind. “His second crop of calves are on the ground now, and we can see that he is already putting extra weight gain into his progeny, which is very pleasing.”
The cattle are shown at all the local shows, and this year they also went up to the Cheshire Show. This generates a lot of interest with commercial farmers who are interested in crossing Simmentals onto native cattle because of the easy calving and fleshing traits. Sales are made directly from the farm, through word of mouth or from interest generated at local sales.
Commenting on their strategy for the future, Mr Hind said: “Performance recording is the way the breed needs to go to ensure easier fleshing and to prevent the animals getting too big.
“Figures are a very useful management tool that help us understand the detail and concentrate on specific traits to achieve this.”
Samuel Boon, EBLEX Breeding Specialist says:
“Michael and Brenda are to be congratulated on their success. The main way to change the genetic potential of a herd is through careful sire selection, and this farm provides a good example of where it has been done well.
“High EBV sires should be selected in a balanced manner, taking into account not just growth and carcase traits – but also those that influence characteristics such as ease of calving and maternal performance.
“The bull selection decisions made today will still be influencing the herd in ten years’ time – so a little time spent studying performance records now is time well spent. Bearing in mind the long-lasting impact of genetic selection – this year’s win bodes well for the future of the Ravensdale Herd.”
by Iain | Nov 17, 2012 | Uncategorised
By Richard Pettit, Scottish Club Secretary.
Judge Mrs Vikki Wood, Popes Herd.
A large entry of Simmental calves from all over Scotland were forward for our Judge, Mrs Vikki Woods of the well-known Popes herd to place.
Overall Senior Champion was from the Stronachs with Islavale Cassius 11 by Woodhall Walker.
Senior female Champion was Corskie Cegem by Popes Laird.
Overall Junior Champion was Kennox Taras Diva, by Popes Laird, from David Craig, with Overhill House Data by Overhill House Volvo Junior Male Champion.
Lauren Stronach continued the Stronachs successful day, by winning their classes in the Junior interbreed Young handlers competition.
Class 25 Bulls born 11th August, 2011 to 24th September, 2011
1st Louise Moffat, Braidwood Copper 11
2nd D. & R. Durno, Auchorachan Chubbs
3rd R. McCulloch, Overhill House Controversial
Class 26 Bulls born 3rd October, 2011 to 18th October, 2011
1st G. & M. Smith, Drumsleed Canyon
2nd W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Crackerjack
3rd A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Crailing 11
Class 27 Bulls born 28th November, 2011 to 23rd December, 2011
1st W. S. Stronach, Islavale Cassius 11
2nd J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Chicago 11
3rd Heather Duff, Pitmudie Cassino Royale 12
4th A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Claghy 11
Class 28 Heifers born 3rd August, 2011 to 21st September, 2011
1st J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Cee Me
2nd Mr & Mrs L. Moffat, Innerwick Christina
3rd J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Charmer
Class 29 Heifers born 28th September, 2011 to 12th December, 2011
1st W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Cegem
2nd W. S. Stronach, Islavale Candy
3rd J. & P. Goldie, Newbie Mains Calamity Jane
4th W. S. Stronach, Islavale Mistress
Class 30 Bulls born 5th January, 2012 to 25th Febraury, 2012
1st J. C. McLaren & Partners, Dargill Duke 12
2nd T. A. & E. Henderson, Dresswood Drew 12 TM
3rd A. & K. Gamble, Farnell Domino 12
Class 31 Bulls born 3rd March, 2012 to 7th May, 2012
1st R. McCulloch, Overhill House Data 12
2nd David Lowry, Keeldrum Darius 12
3rd Heather Duff, Cairnview Darby 12
Class 32 Heifers born 2nd January, 2012 to 3rd March, 2012
1st David Craig, Kennox Taras Diva
2nd Douglas W. Smith, Boswell Diamond
3rd W. J. & J. Green, Corskie Doris
4th D. & R. Durno & Sons, Auchorachan Diamond
Class 33 Heifers born 13th March, 2012 to 28th April, 2012
1st R. McCulloch, Overhill House Daisy
2nd R. McCulloch, Overhill House Dior Dem
3rd David Lowry, Keeldrum Herta D1
by Iain | Nov 2, 2012 | Uncategorised
There was a record entry of calves for the second year that a Simmental calf show was held at the H&H Agri Expo, Carlisle.
Again the attendance was over 10,000 people with a strong interest in all things beef and sheep related, to what is now considered one of the best livestock events of its kind in the country.
Simmental entries were a record 38, which is an encouraging increase from the first year. The Judge for the day was well known cattle and sheep breeder Neil McGowan, Blairgowrie, Scotland (Dirnanean Herd).
A big thank you must go to our sponsors, Main sponsors Carrs Billington, Bowland Foods, Baxter Marwood and Brown Vets, Brockholes Arms Auction Mart, Paragon vet group, David Hazelton (Ranfurly Simmentals), David Donnelley (Preserva & Atlow Simmentals), Barlow Trailers, P. Fitton, Showtime Supplies, Jim Peet Agriculture, D A Harrison, Hopes Auction Mart, Ian Anderson Quad Bikes and The British Simmental Cattle Society.
Results
Class 1 Male calf born 01/10/11 – 31/12/11
1st £100 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Chicago 11 04/12/11 Sire; Kilbride Farm Rainman Dam; Dirnanean Virginia
2nd £75 B G & L Allan Glenturk Cosworth 11 26/11/11 Sire; Omorga Volvo Dam: Glenturk Nemesis
3rd £50 J D Loftus Blackpool Chaz 11 02/12/11 Sire; Hockenhull Rupert Dam; Blackpool Primrose
4th £25 A & K Gamble Farnell Crailing 11 16/10/11 Sire; Keeldrum Schubert Dam; Fole Victoria
Class 2 Male calf born on or after 01/01/12
1st £100 Mr D Lowry Keeldrum Darius 23/04/12 Sire; Pode Hole Aztec Dam; Darsham Slinky
2nd £75 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Dafydd 07/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Jacob Julie
3rd £50 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Darcy 12 25/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Hale Bopp Nell
4th £25 J David Loftus Blackpool Dennis 12 17/03/12 Sire; Corskie Pilot Dam; Blackpool Whatsit
Class 3 Female calf born 01/10/11 – 31/12/11
1st £100 D L & S Currie Braegarrie Cassandra 31/10/11 Sire; Corskie Regal Dam; Braegarrie Angela
2nd £75 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Calamity Jane 01/10/11 Sire; Blackford Albatross Dam; Hockenhull Rona 9th
3rd £50 D L & S Currie Braegarrie Camilla 01/11/11 Sire; Corskie Regal Dam; Braegarrie Pernilla
4th £25 Jim & Patricia Goldie Newbiemains Claire 04/10/11 Blackford Albatross Newbiemains Vicky
Class 4 Female calf born on or after 01/01/12
1st £100 M A Barlow Denizes Trixie-Belle 6th 17/02/12 Sire; Auchorachan Wizard Dam; Denizes Trixie-Belle 3rd
2nd £75 M/S J H & VG Wood Popes Nellys Darling 02/01/12 Sire; Banwy Wonderboy Dam; Popes Nellys Surprise
3rd £50 M A Barlow Denzies Tonia 4th (ET) 27/01/12 Sire; Ashland Tornado Dam; Denizes Tonia 2nd
4th £25 Messers N & N Gwynne Chesterman Ringleader Miranda 26/01/12 Sire; Blackford Ringleader Dam; Chesterman Kramer Miranda
Class 5 Pair of animals from one breeder
1st M A Barlow
2nd D L & S Currie
Class 6 Young handlers age 10 to 30
1st £75 Robert Currie
2nd £50 Tom Peile
3rd £25 Neil Goldie
4th £20 Dafydd Jones
5th £20 Jack Peile
6th £20 Sam Barlow
7th £20 Kate Lowry
Champion: M A Barlow – Denizes Trixie-Belle 6th
Reserve Champion: D L & S Currie – Braegarrie Cassandra
by Iain | Oct 29, 2012 | Uncategorised
Pitgaveny Estate in Moray has been in the Dunbar family ownership for many generations, extending to 2000ha (in excess of 4900acres), of this 1000ha remain in the farming enterprise, with 284ha ran organically, it is run by Farm Manager Martin Birse with Stockman Geoff Anderson responsible for the livestock.
The Suckler herd is split into two calving periods, 100 backend calving cows and 120 spring calvers, all of these are now Simmental cross.
In 1996 the decision was made to close the herd, predominately for health reasons, and at the Perth Bull sales in February 1996 Innerwick Eclipse was bought for 5500gn. It was this first Simmental purchase that started what has turned into a passionate following for the Simmental breed. In recent years five bulls have been purchased at prices of 10000gn or more with Martin insisting that “it pays to invest in quality and whilst paying considerably over the average price for bulls they are consistently breeding better than average calves”. The herd sires at present are Pasturehouse Snickers, Corskie Woody, Grangewood Storm and the most recently purchased 11,000gn Drumacritten Arnold.
This initial Simmental purchase led to a complete changing of colours at Pitgaveny, originally all the herd sires were Charolais but the performance of the Simmental and the demand for surplus Simmental heifers, coupled with a desire to have easier calving and instant suckling of calves led to all Charolais being replaced by Simmentals.
All the cows run in and out prior to calving to keep them physically fit, the backend cows graze on sparsely covered fields and on straw while inside overnight, after calving they are fed silage/ draff and straw with minerals. The spring calvers are out-wintered on stubble turnips and a TMR ration made up of pea straw/draff/minerals and then silage is added one month prior to calving.
The Spring born calves are weaned at just over six months of age and by this time the bull calves are taking 5kg a head per day resulting in no standstill period after weaning. Bulls are then fed a barley based ration with clean straw available but not mixed through the feed as this can reduce total intake, they are marketed through Vion and Mathers and are all finished under 14 months with over 90% achieving grades of U– or better. The Autumn born bull calves are weaned prior to the cows going to grass and then finished the same way as the spring born calves.
The heifers are treated in a completely different manner, spring born calves are over-wintered on a silage/straw ration with minerals but no concentrates then grazed one full season before being sold off the grass at approx 17-18 months old. The Autumn born calves are overwintered after weaning and then sold out of the house again at 17-18months old. The majority are sold privately at £400 per head above store price with most buyers nowadays being repeat customers.
It was this premium along with the ability of the bulls to finish and grade well that drove the change of colours from Charolais to Simmental at Pitgaveny.
Bull selection is important for Pitgaveny and all tools are used with particular attention to calving ease EBV’s, calving daughters and 200 day weights.
Whilst buying bulls at the top end of the sale is not for every commercial farmer. Martin calculates that on average it only adds £30 to the price of each calf over the normal breeding life of a bull, but he reiterates that this is a sound investment.
by Iain | Oct 11, 2012 | Uncategorised
Pedigree bulls reached a ceiling of 3,400gns in a selective trade at the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s autumn show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart on 11th October.
Topping the sale and setting a new herd record of 3,400gns was the March 2011 born Pointfarms Columbo, bred and exhibited by Frank and Matthew Cunning from Glarryford, County Antrim.
Sired by the Raceview King son Hiltonstown Warrior, he is bred from the Cleenagh Nelson daughter Pointfarms Vixen – one of 12 cows in the herd which was established in 2006. This third prize winning entry caught the eye of Jim Hewitt.
New breeder Stephen Millar from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, who founded the 12-cow Glenrock herd three years ago, was making his debut in the show and sale rings, and was delighted to secure the day’s male and supreme overall championship plaudits.
Leading the prize winning line-up was the July 2011 born Glenrock Cannon Ball, a Hillcrest King son, bred from a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter carrying the Magheracrigan prefix. He came under the hammer of auctioneer Trevor Wylie at 2,600gns, selling to pedigree breeder Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.
Following close behind at 2,500gns was the July 2011 born Woodford Crackerjack, bred and exhibited by Mrs Thelma Gorman from Armagh. Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, he was bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. Shown successfully during the summer, he was snapped up by Kenny Veitch from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh.
Judge Thomas Hamilton, Rock, Dungannon, awarded the reserve championship to Knockreagh Conrad, a June 2011 born Omorga Volvo son, shown by the father and son team of Val and Conrad Fegan from Rostrevor, County Down. This one was bred from a Freighduff Brendan daughter carrying the Raceview prefix. He failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn from the salering unsold.
“The champion and reserve complement one another very well. The overall winner is a super ended bull with good conformation, and carried himself well on sound legs and feet,” added the judge.
The pre-sale show was generously sponsored by Bruces Hill Cattle Company and Farm Shop, who provided a new trophy for the overall champion. Stephen Buick presented the Bruces Hill Perpetual Cup to Stephen Millar.
Pedigree females peaked at 2,400gns, paid to Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, for the female champion Corrick Chelsea. Born in March 2011 and sired by Omorga Tarbuck, she is bred from the Hillcrest Naughty daughter Corrick Sunset, and is a full sister to Corrick Benson – intermediate and supreme Perth champion in October 2011. Buyer was Robin Boyd who runs the noted Slievenagh herd based at Portglenone, County Antrim.
Next best at 2,200gns was the fifth prize winning Sperrin View Crystal, a June 2011 born daughter of the 20,000 Euro Curaheen Tyson, out of a home-bred dam by Ballinlare Farm Rival. Consigned by William Ferguson, Stewartstown, she sold to Richard Booth.
The May 2010 born in-calf heifer Woodford Bluebell came under the hammer at 2,100gns for Mrs Thelma Gorman, Armagh. Sired by Sacombe Edgar, this second prize winner is bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. In-calf to Kilbride Farm Newry, she sold to John Jardine.
Pedigree bulls averaged £2,690, while 10 pedigree heifers changed hands to level at £1,885 each.
An entry of commercial Simmental females met a ready market with in-calf heifers peaking at £1,160 twice, paid to Seamus Casey, Dungannon, and Henry Rice, Castlewellan. Other leading prices include: Seamus Casey £1,120, Henry Rice £1,080 and £1,020 twice.
Maiden heifers achieved a top of £710 over weight, paid to Roland Hadden, Dungannon, for a 490kgs heifer at £1,200 (245); and £680 over weight, also paid to Roland Hadden for a 500kgs heifer at £1,180 (236). PJ Kearney, Plumbridge, also realised £680 over weight for a 420kgs heifer at £1,080 (258).
Cows with bull calf at foot sold at £1,260 and £1,240 for John Perry, Dundonald.
The commercial section of the sale was kindly sponsored by McGirr Haulage based at Tempo, County Fermanagh.
Results from the judging ring include:
Bull, born between 23/12/10 and 10/04/11 – 1, William Ferguson, Stewartstown, Sperrin View Champion by Delfur T Bone; 2, John Warnock, Carrowdore, Templefyn Caleb by Dirnanean Reno; 3, Frank and Matthew Cunning, Glarryford, Pointfarms Columbo by Hiltonstown Warrior.
Bull, born between 07/05/11 and 04/07/11 – 1, Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, Knockreagh Conrad by Omorga Volvo; 2, John Warnock, Templefyn Clint by Kilbride Farm Newry; 3, David and Margaret Thompson, Ahoghill, Lummin Conrad by Hiltonstown Aristocrat.
Bull, born between 07/07/11 and 25/09/11 – 1, Stephen Millar, Newtownstewart, Glenrock Cannon Ball by Hillcrest King; 2, David and Margaret Thompson, Lummin Cecil by Hiltonstown Aristrocrat; 3, Sean Burns, Rathfriland, Longbeach Caesar by Kilbride Farm Viduka.
Heifer, born between 23/05/10 and 24/02/11 – 1, Joe Wilson, Newry, Ballinlare Farm Cinders by Raceview Valintino Miracle; 2, Mrs Thlema Gorman, Armagh, Woodford Bluebell by Sacombe Edgar; 3, Harry and John Moore, Beragh, Omorga Connie by Sterling Herkules.
Heifer, born between 13/03/11 and 29/04/11 – 1, Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, Corrick Chelsea by Omorga Tarbuck; 2, Cecil McIlwaine, Corrick Chloe by Omorga Tarbuck; 3, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, Lisglass Connie by Omorga Regan.
Heifer, born between 21/05/11 and 06/07/11 – 1, Andrew Hanna, Irvinestown, Stralongford Candice by Bridgemount Vixon; 2, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Cream by Raceivew Stanley; 3, Andrew Hanna, Stralongford Carol by Omorga Volvo.
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