Changing of the colours at Pitgaveny

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.

Simmental bulls to 3,400gns and heifers to 2,400gns at Dungannon

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.

Leading Ladies Sale has 13,000gns top call and complete clearance at Carlisle

by Iain | Aug 24, 2012 | Uncategorised

The inaugural Simmental Society ‘Leading Ladies’ Sale of pedigree females, held at Carlisle, experienced a blistering trade, with 100% clearance for the entries on offer.
Top call of the day was 13,000gns for a heifer and calf unit consigned by B & E Chadwick, Derbyshire. Chadstone Tollies Delight 6th, a Camus Brandy daughter out of a Dirnanean Jacob dam, sold with her Omorga Volvo sired heifer calf at foot and was knocked down to Hunnyhill Farms, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Following at 7,300gns was 16-month old maiden heifer Corskie Cherry, from WJ & J Green. She is sired by Ballinalare Nightrider and descends from a family line packed with notable show winners, and claimed a 3rd prize ticket at this year’s Highland Show herself. Boasting the highest figures in the catalogue, with a TSI of +83 and an SRI of +93 (both in the top 5% of the breed) she also travels to the Isle of Wight to join the Hunnyhill herd.

Selling at 6,200gns was the in-calf Heifer class winner, and Reserve Overall Champion; Corskie Barbie from WJ & J Green, Fochabers. A daughter of the noted sire Popes Laird, she sold PD’d in calf to the 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Tarrant to Banchory, Aberdeenshire-based breeder Ian Wilson.

At the same money was Sacombe Corona-Kleeb from Mr & Mrs PB & JA Borlase. This 16-month old maiden heifer is a daughter of stock sire Grangewood William and comes from the herd’s noted 7-generation ‘Kleeb’ family line. She also heads to the Hunnyhill Herd, Isle of Wight.

The pre-sale show Supreme Champion, Boars Head Meierisli 5th, then sold at 5,600gns. She is sired by Seaview Prince Charming and arrived at the sale having won a string of 1st prizes from the show circuit; including Kent County and the South of England Shows. She was knocked down to John Gough, Ellerton Grange, Shropshire.

The Hunnyhill herd’s purchasing continued with a 5,000gns call for Woodhall Billi, a 2-year-old heifer from Hector Macaskill. She is sired by the homebred Woodhall Volcano, a Corrick Kentucky Kid son and is out of a homebred Mackney Hector daughter.

Averages: 1 Heifer with calf £13,650 4 In calf Heifers £4,410 16 Maiden Heifers £3,570

Judge: Mrs Linda Burditt – Brookyn Herd

English National Simmental Show – East of England

by Iain | Jul 8, 2012 | Uncategorised

Boddington Estates takes the English National Simmental championship

Concluding a rather wet day’s judging at Peterborough, the English National Simmental Show championship went the way of Boddington Estates with their female champion Sterling Krumpets Britney, an ET-bred Sterling Flint daughter out of Sterling Hawaii’s Krumpet and she has carried on her fantastic form from earlier in the show season when she stood interbreed champion at Devon County Show.

Taking the reserve title was overall male champion was Clonagh World Class, the Irish bred Kilbride Farm Newry son from the Borlase family. This one was bred in Garrett Behan’s herd and was part of the winning Burke Trophy pair at last week’s Royal Norfolk Show

Standing reserve to him was David Donnelly’s intermediate winner Lisglass Barnabus, who is by Raceview Stanley out of Glenturk Tessa, making it a one-two for Irish bred bulls.

Standing reserve female and reserve senior heifer championship continuing a great run of results from previous National Shows was Ann and Tony Jukes with Swallowhill Bluebelle, a May 2010-born dark red Hillcrest Champion heifer out of the Raceview King daughter Raceview Vita Kim who was purchased privately from the O’Connell family as a calf.

It was a repeat of the male junior championships for the overall championships with Beetley Cooperman, a Cairnview Snazzy son out of Beetley Wisteria from Abram Farms taking the top spot, while the reserve junior male spot went to the Hind family with Ravensdale Chopper, a Heathbrow Wizard son.

Winning the pairs class was the Borlase family with their Burke Trophy pair, Clonagh World Class and Perrywood Wispa with her World Class-sired heifer claf at foot, while the group of three class also went to the Borlase family.

Trophy winners:

Download list of trophy winners

Open Day at Aikengall

by Iain | Jul 3, 2012 | Uncategorised

The Scottish Simmental Club had a very successful Open day on 3^rd July 2012 at Thurston Mains and Aikengall farms, by kind permission of Mr John Hamilton and Family. Despite heavy rain in the days before the Open day we were lucky that it was a fine day ensuring a good turn out.

The day started with Opening speeches from Mr Jim McLaren from QMS and from host farmer John Hamilton.

Following Tea and Cakes we headed up the hill to view the fine herd of Simmental x cows and calves.

On returning we headed into the sheds for lunch a fine BBQ, and a table overladen with cheesecakes and pavlovas to name just a few all prepared by Dorothy.

The expansion of a family farm to generate additional income is often driven by the desire to provide work for the younger generation, and Aikengall in Scotland is one such example.

John and Vanessa Hamilton, in partnership with their sons employ one full-time tractorman. Each son has a special responsibility, with James, 27, managing the large sheep flock, while 25-year-old Charles looks after the cattle. A third son, Harry, 20, has just returned from working in New Zealand.

The Hamiltons moved from Lanarkshire after buying the 768ha (1,900 acres) holding of Aikengall near Dunbar in East Lothian in 1998. They have since purchased a 161ha (400 acres) neighbouring farm Thurston Mains. Last year, they took on the tenancy of Nunraw at Garvald adding a further 485ha (1,200 acres), with all the land in organic production and ranging between 300-1,200 feet above sea level.

The suckler herd is made up of 350 Simmental cross cows, which are put to Beef Shorthorn or Lincoln Red bulls as heifers, followed by pedigree Simmental sires from their second calving onwards. As a result of the additional acreage, the herd is being increased to 400 head, which will be achieved by retaining more home bred heifer replacements.

All the progeny is finished on-farm and has been sold deadweight to Dovecote Park to supply Waitrose with organic beef for well over a decade. Bullocks are usually sold at 18-23 months, weighing around 380kgs deadweight. Any heifers which are not retained or sold for further breeding are sold at 18 months, weighing 330kg. The most recent price paid was £3.90/kg. The Simmental cross cattle from Aikengall have topped Dovecote Park’s Producer Performance Index for cattle which meet the required weight and grading specifications, whilst still achieving good weight for age on this low input system.

“The conversion payments were one of the attractions of organic farming, but the other incentive was the opportunity to add value to our products,” says Mr Hamilton. “I have always found Dovecote Park to be fair, and their payments haven’t fluctuated much, compared with some other buyers.”

The emphasis is on home-grown feed, with the growing cattle diet based on red clover silage, crimped barley and straw. Red clover leys play an important role; however they only tend to last four to five years, while the white clover mixtures remain productive for up to 12 years.

Mr Hamilton stresses that he is not intending to return to conventional production.

“I am not an organic zealot, but I have been surprised at how much I have learned about land management since converting to an organic system. Crossing chemical fertilisers off the list of inputs has saved a significant amount of money.”

A rigorous culling policy is applied to any cows which fall outside the tight spring calving pattern, with animals receiving a small premium for their organic status when they are sent for slaughter. The high price of yeld cows in recent months receiving up to £3.50kg,has also prompted the Hamilton’s to set a nine year age limit on cows. Heifers used to calve at three years, but the older group is now calved at two years, to speed up the expansion programme and increase productivity. By using Simmental bulls, they have a plentiful supply of quality replacements to implement such a rigorous culling policy to both improve and expand the herd, without compromising the herd.

Bull selection is taken very seriously, “We will pay around 8,000gns for pedigree Simmental sires, and have recently decided to try and improve conception rates by using smaller female groups, with one bull to 30 cows,” he explains.

“We need cows which will put on condition over the summer, so they are cheaper to feed over the winter. This trait is particularly useful on an organic farm, because only 40% of the finishing diet can be made up of concentrates. Therefore, unlike many other breeders, my preference is for bulls with high EBVs for fat cover. Ease of calving is the only other figure that influences me; other than that I select by eye. I always pay particular heed to the accuracy of the EBVs”

Despite predicting a strong future for beef production, Mr Hamilton has some reservations.

“Prices have improved, but our costs have gone up at the same time. I am happy with the balance of enterprises, but it would be nice if suckler cows were more profitable. However their rise in value has turned them into an important financial asset for the farm, so that has to be taken into consideration.

Stock: 350 suckler cows,all Simmental cross in a closed herd, only buying in bulls.

Cows calve to Simmental bulls and heifers to Shorthorn or Lincoln Red at 3 years old.

Use all homebred replacements, preferably a Simmental x Lincoln red/Shorthorn type of cow.

All progeny is finished on farm , sold to Waitrose / Dovecote Park deadweight at 22 months old and heifers 330-350kg dw at 20 months old, all finished on homegrown rations consisting red clover silage, crimped barley and straw.

Starting to sell heifers privately for breeding.

Cows are all wintered outside on deferred grazing and kale, and are housed in February once house space is available for calving.

1800 ewes in a stratified system

250 Blackface ewes on hill which are kept pure.

800 Blackface ewes crossed to Bluefaced Leicester to breed Mules.

750 Mule ewes put to Texel Tups, lambed indoors in March.

The sheep flock is also run on a closed system only buying in Tups, and breeding own replacements. With surplus ewe lambs sold for breeding.

All wethers finished on farm.

Lambs are marketed through Welsh Country foods and Dunbia.

Finally a big thank you, to John Hamilton and family, all the Sponsors who helped make the event possible and to the Club Members who helped on the day.

Neogen acquires Igenity from Merial

by Iain | Jun 22, 2012 | Uncategorised

Neogen Corporation has purchased from Merial Limited, all of the assets of the Igenity® Cattle Genomics Business, effective on May 1, 2012. Igenity products and services will be integrated into our GeneSeek Europe office, located within Neogen Europe Limited, based in Ayr, Scotland over the next few weeks. As one of our valued customers, we want to assure you that you can expect the same high level of service that you have enjoyed in the past.

• http://www.neogen.com/Corporate/PR2012/2012-05-01.html