For Robert Manson, the Simmental breed offers everything a commercial producer could ask for—maternal strength, good temperament, efficient growth, and the kind of adaptability required on the farm’s varied land. Brodieshill Farm is located near Forres, one of the...
Maximising Profits from the Dairy Herd with Simmental Genetics
Keith Nelson runs a mixed farm in Rosslea, County Fermanagh alongside his family, where they milk 120 pedigree Fleckvieh and Holstein cows in a robotic system, run a small suckler beef herd and a bed and breakfast pig system. For Keith, focusing on genetics is crucial...
SIMMENTAL ‘MONEY MAKERS’ AT COMMERCIAL SALES ACROSS SCOTLAND!
Sales at Thainstone, UA Stirling, Caledonian Marts, Lanark, Ayr, Newton Stewart, Quoybrae, and Dumfries featured. Moving round the UK, we’re back in Scotland and looking at markets across Scotland in this last two to three weeks and where flexible, efficient...
Simmental Semen Bound for Kenya

A substantial quantity of semen from the February 2010 Perth junior and supreme overall Simmental champion, Auchorachan Wizard, is bound for export to Kenya.
The international export deal was announced by the bull’s owner, Joe Wilson, Newry, and Asda buying manager, Anne Spencer.
Semen from the 20,000gns Auchorachan Wizard has been purchased by Everest Enterprises Ltd chief executive, John Karuga, who is establishing a herd of pedigree Simmentals.
Asda agricultural manager, Pearce Hughes, who also runs a herd of 20 pedigree Simmental cows said:”Mr Karuga first saw the Simmental breed when he visited the Royal Show in Stoneleigh several years ago. He wants to establish a herd of pedigree Simmentals and selected Auchorachan Wizard for his ease of calving and tremendous Breedplan figures.”
Auchorachan Wizard is owned by Joe Wilson and sons, Keith, Alan and Neil, who founded the 60-cow Ballinlare Farm Simmental herd in 1984.
He boasts tremendous Breedplan figures, including a terminal sire index of +30, and a self replacing index of +37, placing him in the top one per cent of the Simmental breed. Wizard is also easy calving at +4.1, compared to the breed’s average of -0.6, which, given his performance figures is a rare combination.
Asda’s buying manager, Anne Spencer added:”John Karuga supplies green beans to Asda stores throughout the UK. I’ve known him for several years and was happy to assist in his search for a Simmental bull.