For producing quality beef the Simmental ticks all the boxes

by Iain | Sep 29, 2011 | Uncategorised

Dennis Mitchell runs the family business at Station Farm, Thursford, Fakenham in Norfolk on behalf of the Mitchell Partnership Family Trust, and trust is exactly what they have put in Simmental for many years.

120 Simmental cows are split into two calving groups, half from mid January until the end of March and the back-end group from mid August until October. The enterprise runs on 260 acres of mostly meadow type grass (poor quality ground) with 75% of the grass in Stewardship Schemes. Straw is sourced locally on a straw in and muck out agreement. 350 tons of grass silage and 700 tons of maize silage are produced annually. The herd is run commercially but most of the cows are Pedigree Registered. 10% of heifers are retained annually and the herd is relatively young.

All cows are over wintered on a TMR.

Spring calving cows – calves are weaned in the middle of September, creep is introduced when the calves are two months old, it is a 16% protein finishing blend and maize silage is fed after weaning. Last year’s spring bull calves averaged 400kg with a top of 430kg dead weight, coming to an average of £1075 and a top of £1204, all were away before they were 13 months old. Heifer calves are also weaned in September, and then over wintered on a TMR containing grass and maize silage, minerals and protein balancer.

Autumn calving cows – bull calves weaned at the end of March at 7-8 months old then finished on the same finishing blend and maize silage, the silage intake is 7-8kg per head per day.

Heifers are also weaned in March, turned out onto grass then over wintered the following year in open yards on the same ration as spring born heifers.

The autumn bull calves are always slightly heavier and also younger than the spring born bulls when slaughtered.

3 or 4 bulls are retained every year and brought out for breeding. Some Heifers are sold privately off the farm.

Bulls are traded through H G Blake of Norwich. Live cattle are traded through Newark market with the majority at one sale in the spring. Sale toppers from last year’s spring store sales included 10 yearling heifers @ £1050, 10 of 14 month old heifers@ £1350

The minerals used at Station farm are specific to the farm to balance any deficiencies in the grass.

The herd is in the SAC cattle health scheme but they do not routinely vaccinate for anything other than regulatory blue tongue.

All females over 6 months are treated with a pulse release bolus and copper and selenium boluses before going to the grass and then dosed for fluke at housing and a low cost mectin wormer two weeks after housing.

The system is simple and profitable or as Dennis says “the cows keep me, not me keeping the cows.”

“As either a terminal sire or for breeding replacements the Simmental ticks all the boxes.”

Show winning Simmental joins Semex UK stud

by Iain | Sep 15, 2011 | Uncategorised

Semex UK are delighted to add a show winning Simmental bull to the ‘Semex Beef Team’ range of bulls.

Chyanhal Amos bred by Mrs Penny Lally won several breed Championships through the summer and culminated with a big win at the Royal Cornwall Show  in Wadebridge taking Supreme Champion Simmental under the expert eye of Mr Chris Martindale in strong competition.

Philip Halhead purchased Amos at the Royal Cornwall show on behalf of Semex to continue the aggresive expansion of the Beef stud. ” Semex supply the very best Holstein genetics to dairy farmers in the UK and Ireland and increasingly these same farmers are seeing the added value of using easy calving but high value beef sires on the dairy cows, no longer needed to breed dairy replacements” commented Philip.

“Amos is the ideal bull for crossing onto dairy cows as he exhibits good muscle development with a medium frame score and easy calving traits. Combine that with excellent EBVs for eye muscle area, retail meat yield, terminal production index and self replacing index, you start to understand the appeal of this modern Simmental bull”

Simmental is growing in popularity for use on dairy cows and Amos will help Semex to grow its market share.

Philip makes the point ” Dairy farmers are using more Holstein sexed semen than ever before and beef semen sales are growing every year, Semex can provide the complete package to dairy farmers and we are sure Amos will become very popular”

Semex with the help of Norbreck Genetics will put Amos through there young bull testing scheme to assess the calving ease and calf quality of calves born from dairy cows. Meadow Quality the calf purchasing company are keen to watch a bull like Amos develop and will have no hesitation in placing him on a reccommended Superior Sire list with the EBV data he exhibits.

“Cairnview Snazzy the sire of Chyanhal Amos is sired by the much admired Popes Laird a bull we have watched with great interest since his sale in Perth Auction and one that is breeding very well” stated Philip.

Burytown Herd wins Most Improved Award for Simmental breed

by Iain | Sep 5, 2011 | Uncategorised

The Burytown Herd owned by David and Nikky Field from Blunsdon, Wiltshire has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Herd of Simmental cattle for 2011.
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 traits over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of ten UK breeds.

The Fields took on the tenancy of the 202ha (500 acre) Burytown Farm in 1997 on behalf of Nikky’s parents, who bought the farm on their retirement. The land now carries 61ha (150 acres) of arable including winter wheat and barley, with the remainder split between grazing, silage and hay.

Initially they ran 40 commercial suckler cows mated with a Simmental bull, and 600 ewes for lamb production. When the decision was made to start a pedigree herd in 2007, the Simmental breed was the obvious choice.

“David had managed a Simmental herd in the past, and we were always impressed with the calves produced from the commercial cows,” says Mrs Field. “We wanted a breed that does well on grass with little supplementation. And with their finishing ability and quiet nature, we felt this breed gave us everything we could want.”

The herd was established with 55 heifers purchased from Perth and Carlisle sales in 2007/08, selected for depth, length and locomotion. Numbers have now risen to 65 cows and the diverse genetic base of the foundation animals has provided the opportunity to capitalise on a wide range of breeding lines and traits.

“Having worked in the pig industry we know the benefits of running breeding programmes based on figures and knowledge,” Mr Field explains.

“Buying in and managing 55 heifers has had its trials, but three calvings later we are starting to see the results of our labours. We rely heavily on Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) when selecting bulls and female replacements.

“We performance record everything, and only keep high index animals that have good EBVs for easy calving and fast growth rates. Anything not up to the mark is finished for slaughter. We definitely see this as the way forward for the herd.”

Two stock bulls were purchased to introduce new genetics to the herd, Dirnanean Typhoon from the Perth sales in 2008 and Corskie Radium bought privately in 2009. Both bulls have delivered excellent calves, and Typhoon’s semen is also being sold worldwide.

Corskie Wham, a second bull bought in 2009, has a Milk Value of +11, Terminal Production Index of +34 and a Self Replacing Index of +43, putting him in the top 1% for the breed. He moves well and has a gentle temperament and is proving to be fertile and easy-calving. His first calves show real promise.

Wham has since been joined by Beanhill Warrior who has a Terminal Production Index of +33 and a Self Replacing Index of +39, which also places him in the top 1% for the breed.

Burytown Atlas, a Typhoon son, has been retained as a junior stock bull and has a Terminal Index in the top 5% and Self Replacing Index in the top 10%. He has particularly good conformation and temperament, and is also doing well in the show ring.

Showing is seen as an important tool for promoting the herd, and is a real family affair, with daughter Hannah and son Jamie taking an active part.

“We think this is the best way for potential customers to see our stock, and we have been quite successful considering how young the herd is,” says Mr Field. “Nearly all the females bred have been sold for breeding either privately or through the Perth or Bristol Sales.”

Worthy winners
“The Fields have done an incredible job with the Burytown herd in a very short space of time,” says EBLEX breeding specialist Samuel Boon.

“Their focus on providing top quality breeding stock that produces commercially desirable progeny is to be commended. Basing all breeding decisions on records and information to make sure the herd progresses in the right direction, is certainly reaping dividends for them.”

Young Members Stockjudging Results 2011

by Iain | Aug 31, 2011 | Uncategorised

Individual Over 211st – Anwen Jones – Welsh Club
2nd – Gayle Houliston – Scottish Club
3rd – Jenna Ballantyne – Scottish Club

Individual Under 21
1st – Hannah Wood – Midlands Club
2nd – Carys Davies – Welsh Club
3rd – Rory Wood – Midlands Club

Team under 21:
1st – Hannah Wood and Hannah Shaw – Midlands Club
2nd – Harry Wood and Rory Wood – Midlands Club
3rd – Carys and Owain Davies – Welsh Club

Team over 21:
1st – Gayle Houliston and Jenna Ballantyne – Scottish Club
2nd – Emma Blomfield and Sarah Harding – South East Club
3rd – Andrea Graham and Phillip Whyte – Northern Ireland Club

Reasons winner Over 21
Anwen Jones – Welsh Club

Reasons Winner Under 21
Angharad Francis – Welsh Club

Overall Winner
Hannah Wood – Midlands Club

Reserve Overall Winner
Carys Davies – Welsh Club

NI Simmental Breeders Mark Another Successful Year at Enniskillen Show

by Iain | Jul 3, 2011 | Uncategorised

An absolutely fantastic show with some really strong classes was how County Cork judge, Keith Vickery, described the Simmental entry at Enniskillen Show.

“The junior heifer class was very strong, featuring a number of exceptional heifers at the top of the line-up – real prospects for the future! I believe that some of the best Simmental genetics in the world are owned by breeders in Ireland and Scotland, and this was evident by the quality of cattle presented to me today,” said Mr Vickery who runs 20 pedigree Simmental cows in his Roscarbery herd.

“It has been a pleasure to judge this year’s show. Exhibitors have brought out a mix of very good cattle in all classes. The junior bull class had twelve entries, and there were some very smart young calves to choose from.”

The County Fermanagh Farming Society event marked the end of the 2011 provincial show season, with Simmental breeders travelling from throughout the country to compete for the plaudits at the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year final. The results of the Northern Bank’s prestigious Male and Female of the Year competition were also revealed at the one-day show.

The male and supreme overall championship went to the senior bull class winner, Drumlone Anchor, owned jointly by Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge and William Nelson, Rosslea

“This is a super senior bull. I saw him in Stirling at the bull sales last year and he has matured into a good muscly bull. He’ll never be the biggest, but he is hard to match for muscle, breed character and style.”

Lifting the reserve supreme award was the female champion, Clonguish Bambi, owned by brothers Shane and Paul McDonald from Tempo. “This is a super show heifer with power and style, and she was sparkling on the day,” added the judge.

The prestigious Northern Bank Male and Female of the Year competition has been running since 1997. The winners are determined using a points system which has been running at various nominated shows throughout the summer.

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club secretary, Robin Boyd, announced the results, and the commemorative crystal awards and rosettes were presented by the bank’s head of agriculture, John Henning, and local agri-business manager, Trevor Johnston.

The 2011 Male of the Year award was won by David Hazelton’s junior bull Ranfurly Barrister. This 19-month-old home-bred entry was sired by Whitemire King Kong, and is bred from the Raceview King daughter, Raceview Mandy Beauty – full sister to Raceview Merle Beauty, dam of the record 20,000 Euro Curraheen Tyson.

Throughout the show season he was unbeaten in the junior bull class and secured six successive reserve supreme championship titles, and the reserve male championship at Enniskillen Show.

Messrs Richardson and Nelson won the Reserve Male of the Year Award with Drumlone Anchor. This May 2009 born bull made his debut at Omagh Show and has four successive supreme titles to his credit. Bred by Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw, he was the junior and supreme Perth champion in October 2010, and was purchased by his new owners for 10,000gns. Sired by Seigfried, his dam is the Freighduff Brendan daughter, Broomfield Treasure – 2008 Reserve Female of the Year.

The 2011 Female of the Year award was won by the McDonald family’s Clonguish Bambi, who had attained a full complement of points during the show season. This heifer needs no introduction, having secured the supreme championship titles at Balmoral, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Armagh shows, the reserve overall award at Omagh, and the reserve female title at Clogher. This stylish February 2010 born heifer was sired by the noted Raceview King.

Claiming the Reserve Female of the Year title was Ranfurly Weikel 3rd, a home-bred junior cow from David Hazelton’s herd in Dungannon. This February 2008 born Hillcrest Champion daughter was accompanied by her Blackford Harvester heifer calf. She was unbeaten in her class and was reserve female champion at Balmoral, Armagh and Castlewellan shows. Ranfurly Weikel 3rd was the Female of the Year in 2009, and runner-up in 2010.

Northern Bank’s head of agriculture, John Henning said:”Northern Bank is delighted to be associated with the NI Simmental Club’s Male and Female of the Year competition. Congratulations to the winners, and all of the exhibitors who have put on a tremendous show of Simmentals throughout the summer shows and at the final.”

Traditionally Enniskillen Show hosts the final of theIvomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition. Seven pairs which had qualified at various shows in the past few months were paraded before Mr Vickery.

The Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year award was won by John Moore from Beragh, County Tyrone. The winning pair comprised of Omorga Saffron 2nd and Omorga Bambi 5th which had qualified at Clogher Show. These home-bred heifers are daughters of Cleenagh Flasher and Dripsey Super King.

A delighted John Moore said that this was his first outing to Enniskillen Show. His 25-cow herd traces back over 30 years, and has chalked up considerable success in recent years.

Keith Vickery said: ”The winners are two exceptional heifers in their own right, but I picked them because they are a matching pair, and well balanced for size and colour. ”

John Moore received the Perpetual Crystal Decanter and a 500mls pack of Ivomec Super Injection – an endectocide which kills fluke, worms and external parasites in one injection.

Standing in reserve position were Clonguish Bambi and Clonguish Brooklyn owned by Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo. Purchased privately from Joe McGarry and Sons, County Longford, these heifers were sired by Raceview King and Dripsey Super King.

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairmam, Pat Kelly, congratulated the winners and presented the qualifying finalists with a 200mls pack of Ivomec Super. The Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition is now in its sixth year and is kindly sponsored by Philip Clarke of Merial Animal Health.

Mr Kelly concluded: ”Its been another great show. Thanks to our judge Keith Vickery, and to our valued sponsors, Northern Bank and Merial Animal Health, without whom these competitions would not be possible. ”

Zara Stubbs, Irvinestown, received the Young Stockperson of the Year Perpetual Shield from Mrs Caroline Vickery; while John Moore’s April 2010 born Omorga Bermuda was the winner of the DANI Rosebowl for the best performance recorded bull.

Simmentals are runners up in the Steak Awards

by Iain | Jun 27, 2011 | Uncategorised

Mr John Troup of J&M Troup, Southbank Farm, Skene, Westhill received the runners up prize in the McIntosh Donald/Tesco Royal Highland Show steak competition.
Mr Troup entered a Simmental x steer weighing 374.2kg, grading -U4L.