94 SIMMENTAL BULLS SMASH THE BREED RECORD AVERAGE TO SET NEW MARK OF £9,832, UP £2,334 ON THE YEAR • 56,000gns a new UK, & European record for a Simmental bull • Commercial producers buying bulls up to £20k • Four bulls sell at 20,000gns and over • 26 bulls in all...
THERE’S MORE TO SIMMENTAL: TOPPING COMMERCIAL SALES AT 34 MARKETS AROUND THE UK IN JANUARY 2025 ABERDEEN; BALLYMENA; THAME; ST BOSWELLS; DARLINGTON; HUNTLY; THIRSK; GISBURN; STIRLING; THIRSK; TRURO; AYR; HEXHAM; SALISBURY; MALTON; BROCKHOLES; CARLISLE; BAKEWELL;...
Here we focus on the King family at Ormiston, East Lothian, and who run the highly noted Wolfstar pedigree Simmental herd alongside their 100 cow Simmental cross suckler herd. Farm Facts: Ross King farming in partnership with parents, Alex and Marion Wolfstar,...
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.
