PART FIVE OF THE 2023 SIMMENTAL YEAR REVIEW!

So far we’ve highlighted the trend in the year which was increased registrations; record sale averages and clearance rates; interbreed wins and breed showcases in the show ring; and independent data highlighting the performance and profitability of Simmental cattle. The final months of the year were to deliver more of the same and then some…starting in October!

In the run up to the October bull sales, and in what was a huge endorsement of British Simmental’s commercial abilities, data from AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations confirmed that on average, calves by a Simmental sire finish 36 days earlier than those by continental sires and 46 days earlier than calves by native sires; Simmental sired calves can cost £72 less to finish; and that fast finishing equates to 5.4kg less CO2 equivalents. The data also highlighted the advantages of Simmental females with continental sired calves out of Simmental dams finishing 29 days earlier than the average of all suckler dams. It was timely independent data highlighting the breed’s efficiency and profitability.

The Stirling Sale in October proved to be a memorable one as Simmental records were sent tumbling when the April 2022 born Overhill House Neo from Richard McCulloch, Over Hill House, Armadale, West Lothian sold for 46,000gns to lead the Simmental Bull Sale. The top price was a new breed record for a Simmental sold in the UK, and with Overhill House Neo being purchased by Reece & Andrew Simmers for their noted Backmuir herd at Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire. In addition to the new top price mark, fifty-three Simmental bulls sold to average a mighty £7594 which in itself was a new UK breed record sale average and eclipsing the previous figure of £7558 set at the corresponding fixture last year.

Roll on a couple of hours at Stirling and we moved to the much anticipated Heathbrow Polled Simmental Dispersal Sale on behalf of David & Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Codicote, Hitchin, Herts. It was another record breaking sale with a new 32,000gns Simmental female breed record set. Setting the record was Heathbrow Natasha, an 18-month-old maiden by the herd’s illustrious Heathbrow Important 17, the multi-title winning show bull, herd sire and European Simmental Bull of the Year in 2019, and out of Raceview Emerald Alicia600 EX91 by Milnafua Graduate. Heathbrow Natasha was bought on the day by Jimmy and Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancashire. In addition the record price, the Heathbrow Sale saw five lots including outfits sold for 10,000gns and more, with the sale grossing £347,700, and including export sales to Germany and the Republic of Ireland.

Four days after the Stirling Sales it was on to the Simmental Youngstock Show, hosted by the North West Simmental Club along with the Society, and held within the Borderway Agri Expo event at Carlisle. The Simmental Youngstock Show saw a fantastic entry of sixty cattle, the events largest to date by some distance, and with entries from nineteen breeders ranging from the north of Scotland down through to the south of England, and from Wales! The Overall Supreme Champion went to the November 2022 born heifer Delfur Nifty from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour. Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. The Reserve Junior Champion, Stablemate Delfur Weigela N12, also by Ballymoney Larry took the Junior Reserve Championship. Taking the Overall Reserve Championship and Senior Championship was the April 2022 born Springfield Neptune from Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik. Neptune is by Islavale Jabba, and is out of Springfield Ivory.

Bringing the October Sales to a close was the NI Simmental Sale held in Swatragh Livestock Market and which saw a top price of 5000gns for the Female Champion and Reserve Overall Ashland Lucy Nora from Pat and Frank Kelly, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. The Overall Champion and Male Champion was Robgill Neptune, a Newbiemains Interceptor 17 son from Cornamuck Farm, Dromore, Co Tyrone, and which sold for 4,500gns.
So only two months to cover…but worth the wait! Keep an eye on Facebook as we round off the 2023 year.