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John Key's Enduring Legacy in British Simmental Cattle

by | Aug 7, 2013

Quick Answer

John Key was a dedicated figure in the British Simmental Cattle Society, known for his profound love for Simmental cattle and his service on the Council from 1989-1991. His most significant contribution to the breed was the strategic purchase of Ardo Figaro, a bull whose genetics proved to be a "master stroke" for the Key Simmentals herd. Ardo Figaro's lineage formed 50% of Camus Brandy, which subsequently led to influential sires like Dovefields Gallant and Kilbride Farm Newry, profoundly impacting the breed's genetic development.


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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the latest show results for British Simmental cattle?

The page features recent news articles detailing show results, such as the 2026 NI Simmental National Show, the 2026 Royal Welsh Show, and the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show. These articles highlight overall supreme winners, reserve champions, and specific class winners.

2 How can I find information on Simmental cattle sales and shows?

You can find details on sales and shows through the "Sales & Shows" section, which includes Sale Catalogues, Sale Dates, and Show & Event Dates. The site also provides Sale Reports and Show Reports for past events.

3 Where can I access past news or publications from the British Simmental Cattle Society?

The website offers an archive of newsletters dating back to 2016 and annual review publications from 2016 onwards. You can also navigate to "Older Entries" for previous news posts and articles.