Taking Stock: Solid Simmental trade breaks five-figure record
A combination of pedigree and commercial interest saw a solid trade of Simmental bulls establish a new record number of sires at 10,000gns or above.
Bulls were £391 dearer on last year’s tremendous trade, which lifted averages £711 in 2016. In total 14 sires made the 10,000gns mark or more.
Leading the way Richard McCullogh’s Overhill House herd from Armadale, Livingston, achieved a top value of 21,000gns for Overhill House Guinness 15, a deep red son of Curaheen Drifter.
See also: Large consignment of Simmental cattle heads across Atlantic
Out of Woodhall Amara, the trade topper boasts a terminal sire index (TSI) of +77 and a self-replacing index (SRI) of +90 and knocked down to an undisclosed buyer. His sire has been a senior champion and sired progeny to 17,500gns.
“It was good solid sale with bulls going to commercial buyers for up to 10,000gns,” Neil Shand, British Simmental Cattle Society chief executive told Farmers Weekly.
“People were paying attention to health status and fertility tested bulls – these were sought after.”
Next at 20,000gns was Dirnanean Grafter 15 from Neil Shand, Methlick, Ellon, bred by FJA McGowan.
This July-born son of Ranfurly Confederate is out of Dirnanean Polarine and caught the eye of Strathisla Farms, Moolies, Perthshire.
20,000gns – Dirnanean Grafter 15 from Neil Shand, Methlick, Ellon, bred by Mr F J A McGowan © Tim Scrivener
Mr McCullogh then spent 16,000gns for Aultmore Goliath, a September-born son of Banwy Bonzo out of Hazelden Jingle 8 from WM Patterson and Sons, Aultmore, Keith.
The winner of the overall senior champion at last year’s Stars of the Future calf show, Goliath offers impressive 200- and 400-day growth values.
16,000gns – Aultmore Goliath from W M Patterson and Sons, Aultmore, Keith © Tim Scrivener
Wolfstar herd
The fourth best price of 15,000gns was hit twice. At this money was Wolfstar Gold Digger at 15,000gns from the Wolfstar herd of A King, Ormiston, Tranent, knocking down to MR and MT Quarm, Annick Estate, Irvine.
He brings a TSI (+118) and an SRI (+134) and is by Team Celtic 11, whose first four sons levelled at 11,000gns, and out of Wolfstar Chelsea.
See also: Simmental sell to 25,000gns at Stirling
Lancashire consignment
Also hitting 15,000gns was Denizes Gallant from Lancashire breeder MA Barlow, Leyland, Preston. Gallant’s dam is Denizes Hannadante 9, which was full brother to Denizes Bonjovi, which made 6,000gns in 2012.
Gallant is by Bosahan Dynamo and brings a TSI of +78 and caught the eye of R and P McAlister, Kingarth, Isle of Bute.
Islavale herd
Next was the Islavale herd with Islavale Gambler 15 at 13,000gns. Out of Islavale Cassie and by Atlow Dixon 12, Gambler brings huge potential with value of TSI +90 and SRI +97.
At 12,000gns was Kilbride Farm Goldstar 15 from WH Robson and Son, Doagh, Ballyclare, who joined the Dellfield herd of the Grants, Inverness.
Out of Kilbride Farm Euinice, he is by Kilbride Farm Warren, a sire of sons up to 18,000gns.
Four make 11,000gns
Four bulls then made 11,000gns, first seeing the Wolfstar herd back in the money with Gordy 15, another Team Celtic 11 son, this time out of Wolfstar Wannabe.
Gordy ran with cows now in calf in the summer and will was purchased by GW Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.
Also at this money was Drumacritten George 15 from the Nelsons of Rosslea, Enniskillen, which caught the eye of James Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire.
By Dermotstown Delboy and out of Drumacritten Dianna, George’s figure are positive for easy calving, milk and scrotal size.
Corskire Grantown 15 from WJ and J Green, Garmouth, Fochabers, matched this, eventually snapped up by Innes and Son, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
This bull is out of Bel Dhu Capercaillie, which has bred sons to 25,000gns, and out of Corskie Danya, a Royal Highland winner in 2014.
Dellfield Goldeneye, the first marketed bull from Islavale Ensign 13 and out of Dellfield Blanche, was the last at 11,000gns.
Bred by B Grant, Inverness, he knocked down to Duff and Son, Brechin, Angus.
Females hit 7,800gns
Heifers were over £300 dearer on the year with eleven at 2,000gns or more to a top of 7,800gns for a heifer from the Skerrington herd of W Young, Hurlford, Kilmarnock.
The Sowenna Aristocrat daughter Skerrington Rhona 42 (TSI +111, SRI +106) is out of Skerrington Rhona 32 and caught the eye of the Chadwicks, Hilton, Derbyshire.
Next at 4,600gns from GW Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, was a daughter of Drumsleed Tabytha the May 2014-born Drumsleed Flavia 14 (TSI +71, SRI +78), knocking down to the Wightmans at Coxhill, Maddiston.
Her dam was supreme champion at the 2013 Scottish National Show and a three times interbreed winner and she is by Drumsleed Caledonia 11.
Third best at 4,000gns was Chestermann Wick Ginny (TSI +111), SRI+106), a Kilbride Farm Wick daughter out of Chestermann Ringleader Ginny.
She knocked down to the Smiths of Garvah, Londonderry, and was from N and N Chestermann, Whithorn.
Also of note was the autumn-born Dellfield Brigadier daughter Strathisla Fennel’s Veronica from the Strathisla herd.
She is out of Strathisla Tess’s Veronica and has been served by Islavale Donald, eventually knocking down to Northumberland-based Hindmarsh Partners, Wark, Hexham.
Averages: 120 bulls, £6,066 (+£391); 20 heifers, £2,827 (+£552).