Backmuir take Bronze in 2024 Simmental Miss Europe The results are in and British Simmental genetics are again to the fore in this year’s online 2024 Simmental Championship of Europe, taking silver in the Overall Champion of Europe, and bronze in the Simmental Miss...
Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso make 9500gns 8500gns Islavale Raven wins Weaned Calf Championship Maiden heifers average £5024 Simm X Hi Health heifers average £1823 The December 2023 born Islavale Peace from WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith sold for 15,000gns...
• Lisglass Heifer wins Senior Championship • Haystar Revolver lifts the Junior Championship Northern Ireland Simmental breeders were out in force at the fourth staging of the NI Club’s Annual Calf Show held on Saturday 30th November, at Ballymena Livestock Market....
There was a strong display of entries from Northern Ireland Simmental Club breeders at the ‘4 Breed Calf Show’ held in Dungannon Mart on 25th November. The breed was well represented with consignments from a number of leading NI herds on show throughout seven good classes.
Ranfurly Nunez Overall Senior Champion
It was the males who topped the Senior section, with Ranfurly Nunez ET, from the Hazelton family, Dungannon being crowned as Senior Champion. This Woodhall Ferarri son out of Raceview Fancywinty, a cow who has had a number of other successful progeny including Ranfurly Jackpot and Ranfurly Stella 12th, 2022 Reserve Champion at Balmoral Show. This flashy September calf caught the eye of judge, Matthew Robson, Kilbride Farm herd, Doagh, who had the difficult task of placing animals on the day.
William Dodd and David Connolly with Craigy Neo & Craigy Beatrice 1st prize pairs
Reserve Senior Champion went to Craigy Neo, from the Dodd family, Saintfield. This is an October 2022 calf, sired by Keeldrum Gambler and homebred Craigy Beatrice who was placed second to Ranfurly Nunez in the Senior Bull class. Lisglass Nectar, sired by Alchester Kracker and Lisglass Noelle, sired by Omorga Jaguar, from the Weatherup family, Ballyclare were placed first and second respectively in the Senior heifer class.
Breaghey Class P477 Overall Junior Champion
In the junior section, heifers dominated. Breaghey Class P477 bred by Andrew Clarke, Tynan took home the Junior Champion title. This heifer, out of Omorga Horton and the Breaghey Class I286 maternal line stood out on the day and was described as ‘a super example of the Simmental breed, being modern, stylish and mobile, and who stood out in a strong class of eight entries’. Ballinalare Farm Polly, J & A Wilson, Newry was placed second in this class. Ranfurly Weikel 52nd was placed as Reserve Junior Champion after being placed first in the heifer calf class born on or after 01/04/2023, with a strong nine entries. This is a Ranfurly Limelight daughter out of the noted Ranfurly Weikel maternal line. Lisglass Prince, out of Omorga Jaguar and Lisglass Lulu from the Weatherup family, were placed first in the Junior Bull class born before on or after 01/01/2023. This was followed by Hiltonstown Premier, Richard and Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone in second.
In the bull calf class, born on or after 01/04/2023, Drumacritten Peter, Nelson family, Rosslea was placed first, with Hiltonstown Powerhouse, Richard and Rhys Rodgers, coming in second. There was also a super consignment of entries to the Pairs class. The Craigy herd, Dodd family, took first place, followed by Pointfarms herd, Matthew Cunning and the Lisglass herd, Weatherup family, in third place.
A good number of young members excelled in the Young Handlers class which extended across all four breeds. Jamie and Lewis Dodd were placed second and third respectively in the eight to twelve age category, Rhys Rodgers and Rachel Hamilton were placed first and third respectively in the 13-16 age category and Thomas McAlister came out on top in the 17-19 age category.
