17th World Simmental Congress 2008 UK
15th June to 1st July 2008

REPORT
by Fioan Sloan

The first day of the 17th World Simmental Congress, got off to a flying start at Kilbride Farm, when the 60 delegates were hosted by the Robson Family. The cattle on show can only be described as outstanding and the visitors were joined by around 30 members from the South as they looked around the herd. The cattle had been split into paddocks by age allowing everyone to view their pedigrees from the catalogue which had been provided. The overseas visitors, many of whom breed a completely different type of Simmental to those normally seen in the UK, were impressed not only by the quality of the cattle but the knowledge passed on to them by Billy Robson and his two sons, Michael and Norman as they treated everyone to a tour of the stock. Following a morning with the cattle the guests then sat down to a feast organised by Michael’s wife Maraid who was ably assisted by Billy’s wife Eileen, Norman’s wife Jill, sister Linda and her family and many other willing helpers.

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The party then travelled up the spectacular North Antrim Coast route to visit the Carrick a Reed rope bridge, which some were brave enough to cross, while others decided that someone needed to hold the camera! The weather turned to typical coast drizzle as the day went off but it did not dampen the spirits of those who then took in the Giant’s Causeway and the magnificent views it provided, before travelling on to Portrush to the Royal Court Hotel which overlooks the shores of the north coast at Portrush.

The location provided as perfect setting and end to an outstanding start to the tour and as we travelled back to the hotel everyone had thoroughly enjoyed day one of the Congress.

Tuesday morning saw us visit Joe Wilson’s Ballinalaire Herd where we were joined by cattle from David Hazelton as well. Again the cattle were outstanding as were the scones provided by the ladies and we moved on to Omagh to a lunch reception sponsored by Omagh District Council. As we arrived at Omagh showfield, it became obvious that the 120 brollies which we had purchased in advance of the tour, would come in very handy and indeed the rain came down like staircase railings for much of the judging. All credit to the exhibitors, who continued to turn out their cattle in horrible conditions, right to the very end. Despite running very late, the delegates all insisted in waiting to see all the cattle, which made everyone’s’ day. The evening was spent at the American Folk Park for a tour, entertainment and dinner which was very much enjoyed by everyone.

Fortunately the weather was kinder to us on Wednesday morning than on Tuesday and the ferry crossing to Cairnryan from Larne was very pleasant. The sun shone on us as we drove up the picturesque coast road to Kilmarnock, where we visited John and William Young’s Skerrington Herd at Hurlford. A good turnout of local breeders, friends and delegates, ensured that the trouble the family had taken in laying the tour out into paddocks of age related cattle, was well worthwhile. Visitors were treated to a Hog Roast lunch and a “wee dram” before setting off once again to Edinburgh for the Opening ceremony, which was held at the MacRobert Pavilion that evening.

The delegates had a quick turnaround at the Dalmahoy Hotel before heading to the show field where the evening began with a drinks reception, while they watched and took part in some axe throwing, which was demonstrated by the Four Tossers Axe Throwing team from Thornhill. Other entertainment for the evening included the Karen Fairburn Highland Dancers and Fiona Sloan sung some Burns Songs. The proceedings were ably chaired and conducted by Kenny Fletcher, who captured his audience with his information on the History of the Simmentals in Scotland and his ready humour. Saltire catering produced an outstanding traditional meal of Tatties Haggis and Neaps to start followed by Sirloin of Simmental Beef, sponsored by QMS and followed by some local strawberries and cream, there was a fine selection of Cheese provided by McClelland cheese and Oatcakes from Walkers. Tea and Coffee was accompanied by Shortbread made by Fiona Sloan’s Mum, Rita Munro.

The delegates returned to their hotel having enjoyed a traditional Scottish evening.

Next morning we set off for the Highland Show to watch an outstanding show of 115 Simmental Cattle. The results can be found at the appropriate link on this page. Following a full day at the show they returned to the hotel for a buffet dinner and social evening.

Shopping Day at House of Bruar

Friday saw the weather improved to sunny but cold as we set off for the House of Bruar for a shopping morning before going onto Blair Estates to meet Frazer MacLaughlan and his team who took some of the delegates round part of the 175,000 acre estate. The commercial cattle and bulls on show were tremendous and the scenery second to none. Despite a very cold wind, those of us who braved the open trailers were not disappointed at what they saw. Frazer also spent lots of time answering questions on the estate, which was very interesting indeed. The rest of the group toured Blair Castle itself, with tour guides who explained its interesting history and fabulous furnishings and trimmings, collected over the years. Following another picturesque drive across country to Crieff, the day finished with one of the highlights of the visit so far: “The Famous Grouse Experience”. A tour round the distillery was finished off with a very good meal and a whisky tasting before heading back to the hotel.

Saturday morning was a day to choose whether to visit Edinburgh or have another day at the Show. The delegates split almost half and half and the first bus headed of the Showfield, with the second bus heading the Scottish Parliament. The Congress had been invited by John Scott MSP and Alex Ferguson, speaker of the House to join them for a tour of the Parliament. John Scott was truly outstanding in the time and effort he took to show everyone around. Aided by his trusty assistant Gillian, delegates enjoyed a tour of the building, including a committee room where they asked questions and an insight into the working of the Scottish parliament. It was a very enjoyable and interesting experience for all of those who attended.

That evening, all delegates congregated at Edinburgh castle for a drinks reception and a private tour of the Honours of Scotland (The Scottish Crown Jewels). Despite pouring rain, it was a truly outstanding experience for all of us. The history of Scotland is always of a great interest to the Scottish people but many of the delegates come from countries where the history of the country is less than 300 years old! Some of us even discovered that we had distant relatives.

Sunday began with sunshine which followed a night of torrential rain! It wasn’t long after we reached Stirling Castle that the rain returned and we were all relieved to be indoors for lunch. The addition of two experienced guides was a great way to understand the battles and heritage of the Royal dynasties.

A short drive after lunch took us to the McNees family farm at Armadale near Bathgate.

Despite the weather being fine when we arrived, the heavens opened about 15 minutes into the hour and a half tour and everyone was soaked to the skin! Despite the rain, everyone agreed that we had just seen some of the best cattle of the tour and all were impressed by the quality and management of the 450 cow herd. We warmed up in front of the barbeque and headed back to the hotel to try to dry things out before leaving the next morning. The tour had been hectic so far and many took advantage of an early finish, while others watched the football and retired to the bar to discuss the match.

Tuesday would be our earliest start at 7am when we loaded the buses and headed for a very full day which would begin at Hector Macaskill’s Woodhall Herd. The day could not have been better with an outstanding show of cattle of all ages and scenery to match. The Macaskill Family and Lindsay, Dorothy and Louise Moffat, had all pulled out the stops and we were treated to two perfect farm tours which everyone enjoyed in the sunshine for a change. Following a tour of the Innerwick cattle, we retired to the shed to have a look round the penning and handling system. Lunch was provided by Well Hung and Tender, a local firm, who served lamb from Hectors, Beef from Innerwick and local Dunbar salmon.

After driving south to Gretna Green we met Alasdair Houston, who had organised a “wedding” at the Blacksmith’s shop which was hilarious when Hannah and Kyle, two of our young members, got “hitched” with the rest of the group as witnesses. We even have the photographic evidence to prove it!

Another two hour drive took us to Jimmy and Vicki Woods, where the sun shone for the delegates to look round their herd. The cattle were quiet enough in the field to walk around them and everyone appreciated the chance to get up close and personal at Popes Farm. Following a walk round the cattle the delegates and friends were treated to a barbeque which was kindly supplied by the Wood family. It was lovely to be able to sit out till dusk and socialise without rushing indoors from the rain. The hotel for this night only was only 20 minutes away and after a 19 hour day everyone went off for a well earned sleep.

Next morning we were up bright and early to take the two hour journey to Thirsk Agricultural Centre, where the North East Club had organised an Open Day. The Bluetongue restrictions had made it difficult to tie down a schedule for this visit as some were inside and some outside the Protection Zones. Everyone who could, brought cattle to display while others displayed pictures of their stock. The day included cattle dressing demonstrations and stands from commercial companies, who had kindly sponsored the event. Copper Mill Simmentals won the competition for the best stand. Having eaten a substantial Yorkshire lunch, several delegates headed off to the James Herriot Museum before returning the buses for a three hour ride to Huntingdon.

The Royal Norfolk Show had been outstanding in their help and preparations for the Congress and this continued on show day. We were treated as important guests and with a good show of cattle and explanations from the judges as they went along, the morning cattle show was a great success with Boddington Estates taking the honours, Also the visit to the cattle ring of the Royal guest Prince Harry. The teas and biscuits in the Simmental hospitality tent all day were a welcome relaxation from wandering round the show and were sponsored and delivered by the East Anglian Simmental Club and their members. The rest of the day was spent looking around the show before the Vice President hosted a dinner sponsored by the Royal Norfolk Show, with the beautiful beef given by Tony and Phillida Hurn and Andrew Clarke. A local farmer / entertainer Winston Harrold finished off an outstanding day.

Next morning the international delegates stayed in the hotel for their council meeting, while the rest of the party headed to the National Stud to look at the horses and then onto Norfolk to be hosted by the East Anglian Club. . Following visits to Brian Filby and Dennis Mitchell's herds, they headed to Tony & Phillida Hurns', Twyford Herd where Emma Bridgewater China mugs were kindly presented by the owner & designer Emma and her Husband Matthew , before everyone enjoyed some local traditional fish and chips!

The main decision of the day from the Council meeting was to move the World Federation Office from Switzerland to the Czech Republic. Bruce Holmquist was elected as the new President of the Federation, with Joseph Kucera and Bill Almond elected to the posts of Vice Chairmen.

That evening, we all met at the Norfolk Broads for a boat ride on the broads, with music which many took advantage of and enjoyed a lively night on the dance floor.

Friday morning once again promised good weather as we set off for Sacombe Herd at the kind invitation of Paull, Judy and Bridget Borlais. The young members also held their Stockjudging Competition where the overseas visitors came out top when the results were announced at David & Lesley Sapsed, Heathbrow visit later in the afternoon. The delegates thoroughly enjoyed their tour around both farms and the quality of cattle which they saw. Lunch at Sacombe and Afternoon tea at Heathbrow was also very much appreciated. We then moved onto the Forrest of Arden Hotel that evening for a carvery dinner.

Saturday morning hosted the bi annual election of office bearers for the World federation with Bruce Holmquist taking over as the new President and Joseph Kucera and Bill Almond being elected as Vice Presidents. Caltech, Merial Igenity, Richard Pichler and Joseph Kucera all gave very interesting papers on various parts of the influences on World Agriculture related to the beef industry. John Young gave a very interesting history of the breed in the UK and Hamish Anderson also gave an interesting insight into the beef industry in the UK. The afternoon saw the delegates visit Warwick castle and enjoy a relaxing evening have dinner in Warwick town centre before being picked up and brought back to the hotel.

The penultimate day began with a visit to captain Hanny's outstanding commercial herd at Springfield, hosted by the farm manager, Ros Allen. The delegates saw the sharp end of the beef industry at its best with both cattle and sheep and interest was such that the visit , like many others, over ran by 1 ½ hours! Following lunch in the beautiful Bourton on the Water, the tour set off for a tour of the Cotswolds ending up at David and Rachel Fishers herd. The weather was lovely, the scenery typically Cotswold and the cattle like everywhere we visited on the tour, were a credit to the hosts. More cream teas on the lawn were followed by a short journey to our Closing Ceremony venue at Boddington Estate, home of the Sterling Herd and kindly hosted by Stephen and Tania Hitchin.

The venue, cattle, food, company and fireworks to finish with made it the perfect evening to host our Closing Ceremony, which culminated in several overseas presentations to the Society and the handing over of the Federation Banner to Australia, who will host the 2010 Congress.

For the first time in the tour, the delegates had a bit of a lie in the next morning , leaving at 10am to visit Stratford On Avon, before making their way the our last farm visit at Wroxall Herd, hosted by our President Dan Evans and family. Again the tour of the farm was helped lovely weather and some side competitions. We then adjourned to the local village hall for more food and a bit of an international sing in which finished up with Auld Lang Syne in the car park.

It was an emotional journey home and also the next morning when we had to say goodbye to the friends we had made over the past few weeks. Ireland seemed like a very long time ago. We had all endured a very full schedule and I have no doubt that many would sleep all the way home in the plane. The illness which so many suffered in various forms over the weeks seemed to be forgotten as we waved to the busses as they left for the airport.

There are many people to thank for making this a hugely successful congress. The years of planning had paid off, the support from sponsors and hosts alike made it all possible and the delegates good humour through the long days and short nights all contributed to such a success.

My thanks to everyone who was involved from main sponsors to tea makers. You all made this possible!

Northern Ireland Simmentals take World Stage at Omagh

In excess of 300 exhibitors, spectators and sponsors joined delegates of the 17th World Simmental Congress, at the World Congress Show, hosted by the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club at Omagh Showgrounds. [more]