CHRIS MARTINDALE ELECTED AS THE 28TH BRITISH SIMMENTAL PRESIDENT

CHRIS MARTINDALE ELECTED AS THE 28TH BRITISH SIMMENTAL PRESIDENT

by | Nov 17, 2024

Shropshire-based breeder Chris Martindale has been elected as President of the British Simmental Cattle Society (BSCS) following the Society’s Annual General Meeting held recently in Stirling at the October Bull Sales. Having served as a Council Member since 2021, he...

Kilbride Farm leads Dungannon Simmental trade at 3,000gns twice

by | Apr 2, 2015


Male and supreme overall champion at the NI Simmental Club's spring show and sale, Dungannon, was Kilbride Farm Eric ET shown by Michael Robson, Doagh. Adding their congratulations are Andrew Clarke, Tynan, judge; and Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank, sponsor.
Male and supreme overall champion at the NI Simmental Club’s spring show and sale, Dungannon, was Kilbride Farm Eric ET shown by Michael Robson, Doagh. Adding their congratulations are Andrew Clarke, Tynan, judge; and Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank, sponsor.

Simmental bulls reached a ceiling of 3,000gns twice at the Northern Ireland Club’s spring show and sale, hosted by Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.

Joint sale leader was the day’s male and supreme overall champion Kilbride Farm Eric ET bred by Billy Robson OBE, and sons Michael and Norman, from Doagh, County Antrim. Sired by the 15,000gns Cairnview Snazzy, this naturally polled bull is out of a home-bred dam by the Danish sire Lamhoj Supery. Two full brothers averaged 7,000gns in Stirling.

He is in the breed’s top 5% for eye muscle area +4.3, and terminal sire index +86, and in the top 10% for self replacing index +87.  This November 2013 born entry was snapped up by T McCartney, Jerrettspass, Newry.

Judge Andrew Clarke from the 8-cow Breaghey herd based Tynan, County Armagh, described the champion as a long, well fleshed bull with nice hindquarters and a good thick loin.”

Also selling at 3,000gns was the Robson family’s second prize winner Kilbride Farm Earl TSI+68 SRI+76. Sired by the Ardadoney Volvo son Kilbride Farm Barrister, he is bred from the Cairnview Snazzy daughter Kilbride Farm Dora 40B. Highest bidder on this eighteen-month-old bull was V Ferguson, Dungannon.

Next best at 2,800gns was the third placed Corrick Exodus TSI +66 SRI+77 consigned by Cecil and Hazel McIlwaine, and sons Scott and Neil, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone. Sired by stock bull Carbery Carribbean, this November 2013 entry is out of a home-bred dam by Carnkern Titan. In the breed’s top 10% for eye muscle area +3.5, he sold to Norman Hammond, Stewartstown, County Tyrone.

The Robson family were in the money again at 2,400gns, realised by the second prize winning Kilbride Farm Eagle TSI+71 SRI+76. He was sired by stock bull Crugmelyn Brenin, and is out of a home-bred dam by the popular Kilbride Farm Newry. In the top 5% for eye muscle area, this November 2013 born bull sold to Malcolm Fleming, Magherafelt, County Londonderry.

Andrew Clarke awarded the reserve male championship to Haystar Eclipse TSI+67 SRI+69, an October 2013 born Omorga Murray son bred by Gavin Hayes, and sons Kyle, James and Sam, Upper Ballinderry, County Antrim.  He was bred from the Hillcrest Champion daughter Carralavin Winford – one of six breeding females in the herd. This one failed to meet his reserve and returned home unsold.

Claiming the female and reserve supreme championship awards sponsored by Danske Bank was the September 2013 born Knockreagh Emily exhibited by the father and son team of Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, County Down. She was sired by the 20,000gns Stirling junior and supreme champion Auchorachan Wizard, and is out of a home-bred dam by Omorga Volvo. Buyer at 2,600gns was judge Andrew Clarke.

“This is a lovely sweet heifer. She is long and oozes femininity.”

The Fegan’s 8-cow herd founded in 2003 also produced the reserve female champion Knockreagh Ella Rose. This October 2013 Auchorachan Wizard daughter secured a bid of 2,300gns from K Bell, Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

There was a solid demand for commercial Simmental heifers with prices soaring to £775 over weight. The commercial section was sponsored by Millburn Concrete, Cookstown.

Maiden heifers ranged in weight from 335kgs to 595kgs, with prices peaking at £1,270, £1,250 and £1,160.

In-calf heifers peaked at £1,380, £1,280 twice and £1,240.

Averages: 6 pedigree bulls £2,590; 3 pedigree heifers £2,257.


NI Simmental Cattle Breeders' Club chairman Richard Rodgers is pictured at the club's Dungannon show and sale with Malcolm Thom, Millburn Concrete, sponsor of the sale's commercial section.
NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman Richard Rodgers is pictured at the club’s Dungannon show and sale with Malcolm Thom, Millburn Concrete, sponsor of the sale’s commercial section.


Female and reserve supreme champion was Knockreagh Emily which sold at 2,600gns for Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor. Also pictured are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank, sponsor.
Female and reserve supreme champion was Knockreagh Emily which sold at 2,600gns for Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor. Also pictured are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank, sponsor.


Reserve female champion was Conrad Fegan's Knockreagh Ella Rose which sold for 2,300gns. Included are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and sponsor Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank.
Reserve female champion was Conrad Fegan’s Knockreagh Ella Rose which sold for 2,300gns. Included are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and sponsor Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank.


Reserve male champion was Haystar Eclipse whon by Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn. Included are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and sponsor Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank.
Reserve male champion was Haystar Eclipse whon by Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn. Included are judge Andrew Clarke, Tynan; and sponsor Andrew Tecey, Danske Bank.


Taking a keen interest in the judging at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders' Club's Dungannon show and sale are, from left: Tom Bogue, Brookeborough; Neil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart; vice chairman Matthew Cunning, Glarryford; and William Ferguson, Stewartstown.
Taking a keen interest in the judging at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s Dungannon show and sale are, from left: Tom Bogue, Brookeborough; Neil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart; vice chairman Matthew Cunning, Glarryford; and William Ferguson, Stewartstown.


Spectators around the showring at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders' Club spring show and sale, Dungannon.
Spectators around the showring at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club spring show and sale, Dungannon.