Simmental Club marks 40th anniversary with elite heifer show and sale

Brian Donaldson • Published 12 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman, Pat Kelly, and committee member, Thelma Gorman, pictured with sponsors, Michael and Francis McGirr of McGirr Haulage, Tempo.

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has announced details of an Elite Show and Sale of Females. The event, which takes place at Omagh Livestock Mart on Friday, August 20, has been organised to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the breed’s importation into the UK.

The catalogue for the one-day event comprises of 31 top females and will provide breeders from throughout the UK and Ireland, with a unique opportunity to purchase the cream of Northern Ireland’s Simmental genetics. Heifers range in age from September 2008 with the youngest born in October 2009. Judging commences at 10am sharp by British Simmental Cattle Society president, Hector Macaskill, who runs the noted Woodhall herd based at Innerwick, East Lothian in Scotland. The sale gets underway at 12.30pm and will be conducted by auctioneer, Noel Erskine.

Buyers will be spoilt for choice, and all prospective purchasers are assured that the catalogue comprises of one of the most exclusive selections of Simmental females to be offered in the UK and Ireland. All entries have been rigorously inspected on-farm and individually selected by Scottish breeder and auctioneer, David Lowry, who runs the Keeldrum herd based at Lanark.

Club chairman, Pat Kelly from Tempo said: “All entries will be inspected by a veterinary surgeon prior to sale, and will be sold under the auspices of the National Beef Association. Vendors will carry out the necessary pre-movement tests, and all animals will be eligible for immediate export following the sale.”

“This sale represents a significant milestone in the history of the Simmental breed. The club committee has been planning this event for over 12 months, and we are delighted that our members have put forward a super selection of breeding females. It is hoped that this event will act as a major shop window for locally bred genetics, and we look forward to welcoming Simmental enthusiasts from throughout the British Isles and Ireland.

Herds represented in the catalogue include: Ballyvallough (1); Drumbulcan (1); Wilandale (1); Woodford (1); Ballinalare Farm (2); Cladymore (2); Corrick (2); Lakeside (2); Lisglass (2); Rehall (2); Slievenagh (2); Stralongford (2); Cleenagh (3); Kilbride Farm (3); and Ranfurly (5).

Pat Kelly added:”I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our sponsors, and thank them for coming on board to support this important event in the club’s calendar.” Sponsors for the 40th Anniversary Elite Female Show and Sale include: John Thompson and Sons Ltd; Woodcraft Kitchens (Kilrea); Irwin Feeds; Redrock Machinery; McGirr Haulage (Tempo); and Milburn Concrete (Cookstown).

Northern Ireland breeders have also produced some of the top priced bulls at Perth.

Mr Kelly continued:” As a club we are very excited about the forthcoming sale, and I am privileged to be Chairman at this important time in the history of the Simmental breed.”

The Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club held a calf show at Automart in Portadown to celebrate the 25th Anniversary; and more recently, hosted delegates attending the 17th World Congress in 2008.

The Simmental breed originates from the Simmen Valley in Switzerland, and is now the most popular breed numerically across Europe. Simmentals can be found across five Continents. The breed is recognised as a superior terminal sire, and is a popular choice for suckler herd owners. Breed traits include fertility, hardiness, early maturity, good growth rates, ease of calving, excellent mothering ability and milkiness.

Discussing plans for the 40th Anniversary Elite Female Show and Sale are NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman, Pat Kelly, committee member, Thelma Gorman, and secretary, Robin Boyd.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 12 Aug 10

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