ISLAVALE LULLABY ‘ROCKS’ TO SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE BACKMUIR HERD AND LIFTS THE OVERALL INTERBREED SUPREME AT THE BLACK ISLE

• Backmuir achieve the 2022 double of Scottish National Show, and Royal Highland Show Championships with Islavale Lullaby
• Islavale Lullaby wins the Overall Interbreed at the Black Isle Show
• Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd takes Simmental Overall Reserve

The April 2020 born heifer Islavale Lullaby scooped the Overall Supreme Championship for Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, at the 2022 Scottish National Simmental Show, held within the Black Isle Show, on Thursday 4th August. For good measure the stylish Islavale Lullaby then went on to win the day’s Overall Individual Interbreed title.

This latest win at the Scottish Simmental National Show secured a memorable 2022 double for the Simmers with Islavale Lullaby, following on from their Simmental Supreme Championship at the Royal Highland Show in June.

Bought for 8000gns at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s inaugural Next Generation Sale of females and weaned calves at Carlisle in 2021, where she also stood Champion, Islavale Lullaby was bred by Mr WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. By Shacon Hannibal 16 she is the first calf out of Islavale Inspire GP 82, an Atlow Dixon 12 EX91 daughter. Described in June as ‘a new bloodline for the herd with all the qualities to be a cornerstone female’, Islavale Lullaby has been served by the Backmuir herd’s 18,000gns stock bull Wolfstar Jackaroo, who was purchased at Stirling in February 2020.

Commenting on his Champion the judge for the day John Moore of the noted Omorga herd, Beragh, Omagh, Northern Ireland, said: “My Champion on the day Islavale Lullaby was just exceptional, a really super heifer. She has all the qualities you would want in a modern breeding female and I just knew that she would go on to do well in the Overall Interbreed, I am really delighted that she was crowned the Interbreed Champion.” Of the Scottish Simmental National Show generally John Moore went on to say: “I was delighted to be asked to judge the National Show and I would like to thank the Scottish Simmental Club and also the Black Isle show for their very warm welcome. It was a great show of animals, especially the females which really impressed me.”

At the conclusion of the Scottish Simmental National Show, Islavale Lullaby did indeed move on to secure the Overall Individual Interbreed Championship of the Black Isle Show and this time in front of interbreed judge Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet. The Scottish Simmental National Show rounded off the 2022 series of breed National Shows which saw the English National within the Royal Lancashire, and the Northern Irish National within the Armagh County Show.

Commenting, the Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “These Simmental National Show events provide a tremendous promotional window through which to see the depth of quality within the Simmental breed across the UK and to highlight established genetics and youngstock with forward potential. A big well done is extended to all exhibitors through the summer who have showcased the breed so well.”

Lifting the Overall Reserve Supreme and Reserve Female Champion at the Scottish Simmental National Show was Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd from MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancs. With a pedigree full of performance and quality bloodlines, the January 2020 born Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd parents are both previous Supreme Champions at the Royal Highland Show, with the sire being Blackford Galaxy 15 and the dam being Auroch Eve, a two-time Highland Champion and voted as the Highland’s Simmental Champion of the Decade in 2020. This latest title for Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd follows hard on the heels of this heifer securing the same Reserve Overall position at the recent English Simmental National Show and where she also featured in the winning Interbreed Team of Four.

Of his Reserve Champion, John Moore said: “Another quality female, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd was a different type of female to the Champion but equally good in her own way. A strong heifer, she’ll make a great cow and go on to do well in the future.”

Throughout the show summer the quality of Simmental females has been very much to the fore and that again proved to be the case at the Simmental Scottish National Show. Lifting the Overall Junior Championship, and the Junior Female title was Corskie Mimic from the noted Corskie herd of Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. January 2021 born, Corskie Mimic is by Kilbride Farm Haka 16 and is out of Corskie Imitation EX90, an Auchorachan Farmer 14 daughter. Doubling up in the Juniors, the Corskie herd also lifted the Junior Male Championship, Overall Junior Reserve, and Reserve Male Champion with the January 2021 born Corskie Mikah. Another by Kilbride Farm Haka, Corskie Mikah is out of Corskie Elissa VG88 who is a Dirnanean Bradley 10 EX93 daughter. Earlier in the summer this young bull, who is now aimed at the October Stirling Sale, placed Reserve Junior Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show. Rounding off a strong show the Corskie team also took the red ticket in the Calf Born in 2022 class with Corskie Nutmeg 22, again by Kilbride Farm Haka and this time out of Corskie Jasmine, a Bel Dhu Capercaillie daughter.

Capping a fine show for the Backmuir team, and a strong summer season, the homebred Backmuir Kingsley 19 took the Overall Male, and Senior Male Championship awards. This bull is by Islavale Hamilton 16 and is out of Starline Kristle 24th, a Skerrington Warlord 2 daughter. For the record the roll call of titles at the Scottish Simmental National Show for the 80-cow Backmuir herd included: Interbreed Champion; Overall Supreme; Female Champion; Male Champion; Overall Senior Champion; Senior Male Champion; & Best Pair.

Another herd to feature strongly on the day was the noted Blackford herd of Mr WG MacPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness, who took four red ticket first prizes in the classes before moving on to take the Reserve Senior Male; Reserve Junior Male; and Reserve Junior Female Championships. Standing second in his class to the Supreme Champion and taking the Reserve Senior Male position was Blackford Local Hero 20 (P). This young polled bull is by the show sire Heathbrow Important (P), and is out of Blackford Echo VG 86, a Curlieu Knight daughter. At this year’s Royal Highland, Blackford Local Hero 20 (P) led a Simmental 1-2-3 when winning the Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder Interbreed. This is another bull that will now be aimed at the Stirling Simmental October 2022 Bull Sale.

Taking the Reserve Junior Male title, and placing first in his class, was another Heathbrow Important (P) son in the shape of Blackford Mustang 21 (P). April 2021 born, this bull is out of Blackford Frosty VG89, a Kilbride Farm Doubleaction 12 EX93 daughter. Continuing the run, the August 2021 born Blackford Malia also won her class before moving on to the Reserve Junior Female title. With the same sire as the day’s Reserve Overall, Blackford Malia is by Blackford Galaxy 15 and is out of Blackford Wagtail VG86, a Kilbride Farm Strabane daughter. The remaining Blackford red tickets came in the shape of Blackford Hyalite, a Kilbride Farm Doubleaction daughter who won the class for best female born before 31st July 2019, and the Ranfurly Confederate son Blackford Mosby 21, who won the best bull born on or between 1st July 2021 to 31st December 2021.

A massive thank you is extended to all event sponsors and with a particular mention to Mix’N’Mill Ltd as main sponsors. Mix’N’Mill is a family run Agricultural contracting business based in Dingwall who provide a wide range of all Agricultural services and have a mobile service van and workshop. A large range of products are available for retail on premise.

The full list of sponsors includes: Ravenhill Ltd; C&S Smith- Drumsleed; Denis Brinicombe; Alister Young Engineering; Moray Coast Vets; M.A.M Contracting; D. Woods; Netherton Tractors; Highland Tractors; Caithness Livestock Breeders; Simpsons Oils; Sports Masters Ltd; United Auctions; Ross Agri Services; Norvite Ltd; Aberdeen and Northern Marts; Johnston & Carmichael; and the British Simmental Cattle Society Ltd. Thank you to all for your support, it really is greatly appreciated.

Scottish Simmental National Show 2022 results
Held at the Black Isle Show
On Thursday 4 August 2022
Judge: John Moore, Beragh, Co Tyrone of the Omorga Simmental herd

Bull, born before 31/12/2020
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
2 – Mr W G Macpherson (A Firm) – Blackford Local Hero 20 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Bull, born on or between 01/01/2021 – 31/03/2021
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Maximus 21 – s. Team Celtic 11
3 – Jenson Sinclair Gunn – Caithness Maverick 21 – s. Corskie Jackpot 18

Bull, born on or between 01/04/2021 – 30/06/2021, kindly sponsored by Aberdeen & Northern Marts
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 – s. Heathbrow Important 17
2 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Medallion 21 – s. Islavale Jabba 18
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Merlin 21 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
4 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Murry 21 – s. Rockytop Invader 17
5 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Maserati 21 – s. Rockytop Invader 17

Bull, born on or between 01/07/2021 – 31/12/2021
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mosby 21 – s. Ranfurly Confederate

Female, born before 31/07/2019, kindly sponsored by Moray Coast Vets
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Hyalite – s. Kilbride Farm Doubleaction 12
2 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Herb – s. Bel Dhu Capercaillie 11
3 – Pitgaveny Farm – Hazelden Diamond 6th – s. Annick Claymore 11
4 – Grant Stephen – Denizes Cadette 35th – s. Bosahan Dynamo 12
5 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies – Tulla Fawn – s. Auroch Anto

Female, born on or between 01/08/2019 – 31/03/2020
1 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
2 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Rathnashan Legsfirst – s. Dermotstown Delboy
3 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie La-Enna – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
4 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Latice – s. Dirnanean Geldof 15
5 – Pitgaveny Farm – Pitgaveny Lilac – s. Scotland Hill Invader 17
6 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kreole’s Liberty – s. Islavale Imperial 17

Female, born on or between 01/04/2020 – 31/12/2020
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
2 – Gavin Brown – Islavale Liquorice – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11

Female, born on or between 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2021
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Mamma Mia – s. Rockytop Inferno 17
3 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Molly – s. Islavale Jabba 18
4 – Geoff & Kate Anderson – Quarryhill Melody – s. Ranfurly Confederate C24 11

Female, born on or between 01/07/2021 – 31/12/2021
1 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Malia – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
2 – Pitgaveny Farm – Pitgaveny Moondust – s. Islavale Kristoff 19
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mimosa – s. Sacombe Kite 19
4 – Gary & Angela Christie – Rockytop Flake’s Madison – s. Rockytop I’m Yer Man 17

Calf, born in 2022
1 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Nutmeg 22 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
2 – Grant Stephen – Glendual Nevis 22 – s. Team Celtic 11
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Nijinsky 22 – s. Sacombe Kite 19
4 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies – Scenic Niall 22 – s. Aughenbest Intimidator 17
5 – Miss L Wyllee-Davies, – Scenic Northstar 22 – s. Aughenbest Intimidator 17

Best Pair, any sex
1 – Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby & Rathnashan Legsfirst
2 – Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie La-Enna & Corskie Latice
3 – Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 & Blackford Merlin 21
4 – J C MacIver – Coltfield Murry 21 & Coltfield Maserati 21
5 – Gavin Brown – Springfield Maximus 21 & Springfield Medallion 21

Junior Male Champion – presented with the Woodhall Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Junior Male Champion
Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Mustang 21 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Senior Male Champion
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
Reserve Senior Male Champion
Mr W G Macpherson (A Firm) – Blackford Local Hero 20 – s. Heathbrow Important 17

Male Champion – presented with the Islavale Trophy
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Backmuir Kingsley 19 – s. Islavale Hamilton 16
Reserve Male Champion
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16

Junior Female Champion – presented with the Norbrook Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Mr W G Macpherson – Blackford Malia – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Senior Female Champion – presented with the Dem-Master Trophy
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Senior Female Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Female Champion – presented with the Strathearn Rose-bowl
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Female Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Overall Junior Champion – presented with the Zoetis Trophy
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mimic – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16
Reserve Overall Junior Champion
Mr WJ & J Green – Corskie Mikah 21 – s. Kilbride Farm Haka 16

Overall Senior Champion
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Overall Senior Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15

Supreme Champion – presented with the Neil Ross Challenge Cup & The Drumsleed Cup
Reece & Andrew Simmers – Islavale Lullaby – s. Shacon Hannibal 16
Reserve Supreme Champion – presented with the Scottish Club Salver
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15