by Catherine Walkinshaw
At the time of writing this report it does not seem a year ago
when we last attended the Club’s AGM and the October 2005
Perth Bull Sales. The average returned was £3204 - £93
down from 2004. Only 72 Bulls sold with over 30 going home unsold.
The February Sale proved more promising with 118 bulls – out
of 136 forward - being sold to average £3403 – up £507
on the year. Led by Dorothy Moffat’s Champion, Innerwick
Renown, at 8000gns.
The May Sale saw 19 out of 21 forward selling
to average £2310, with a top equal bid of 3000gns for Innerwick
Ross, and a 2600gns bid for the Champion on the day Tillylair RAF.
Our annual Commercial and Cross Simmental Sale, generously sponsored
once more by Pfizer was held on 5th May. Mr Alan Doig, East Buchanty,
Glenalmond, Perthshire, who was appointed Judge, placed the pen
of 4 bulling heifers from Messrs Short, Balquhadly as winners,
the pen of 4 Heifers under 2 years old winner was Mr Barr, Mains
of Baldovan and the winner with the Single Heifer with calf at
foot being Mr Baxter, East Skeichan. All received a litre of Dectomax
Pour On.
On the 17th May the Scottish Simmental Club held their
Open Day at Strathisla Farms by kind permission of Adrian Ivory.
This has previously been reported on, in the Breeder & Feeder.
Due to adverse weather conditions our Junior Stockjudging Training
was eventually held at Incheoch Farms by kind permission of the
McGowan Family. The Judge and Trainer for the day being David Lowry.
There were 4 pens of animals to place. The following young members
were chosen to represent the Scottish Club at the Royal Show. Gillian
Greenhill, William Young, John Patterson (Junior), Donald Lyle,
Gail Clark and Adam Crockett. Again, our young members were a credit
to us, as it can be quite daunting with so much competition coming
from the other Clubs. Allflex continued to sponsor £600 towards
the young members expenses.
 |
| Royal Highland Simmental Team |
The Royal Highland Show saw an impressive
turn out of Simmental Cattle and our Judge, Hector Macaskill, Woodhall
Farm, East Lothian certainly had his work cut out and although
the results are detailed later in the Review we must say well done
to I. Hunter (Stocksman Kenny Morgan) winning the Overall Champion
with Tillylair Moss. The Reserve Champion going to A.J. Minshall
(first time at the Highland Show) with his bull Hazelden Ringmaster.
I would like to thank Kirsty Thomson and Lucy Harris who helped
on the Stand throughout the Show and to the Scottish Club Committee
Members who all did their bit. The Stand was well used for the
duration of the Show, proof being we did require to enlarge the
Marquee by a further 10 feet this year! Hector Macaskill also judged “The
Corskie” Trophy for the Young Stock Person of the Year at
The Royal Highland Show of 2006. This went to Nikki Hughes. Well
done.
 |
| Who's leading who? |
During the Show Season, exhibitors collected points towards
the North, West and Central Simmental Points Competition. Sponsorship
of this being from West Cumberland Farmers, Merial and McCaskie
Farm Supplies. Carrs Billington Feeds (delivering 70 x 25kg bags
of Flakey Calf Mix) to West & Central, Galloway & Macleod
(delivering 45 x 25kg bags of bull mix) to the West exhibitor winners.
Many Herds entered and at the AGM a total of £910 was awarded
to the Prize Winners. The overall winner with the most number of
points receiving the McCaskie Trophy was Lauchlan Quarm, Annick,
who also was the winner of the West Area. Winner of the Central
Area being C & G Greenhill, Craighill and the Northern Area
W J & J Green, Corskie. We also presented 3 sets of John Collins
glasses to the Champions of the following Shows; Nairn – WJ & J
Green (Corskie) with Dulcie 785, Kirriemuir – DW Smith (Boswell)
with Darsham Rachel; Ayr – W. Young (Skerrington) with Rebecca
18th. Our thanks to all exhibitors who took part in the Shows as
it keeps the Simmental Breed in front of the public’s eye.
We know it also takes a lot of time, effort and money!
 |
| Prince Charles at Bute Show |
On the 2nd
August was the 200th Anniversary of Bute Agricultural Society,
held at the Showfield, Rothesay. A number of our members took their
Show Team via the Ferry from Weymss Bay. Prince Charles, Duke of
Rothesay, opened the Show and afterwards spoke to many of the Exhibitors.
The Simmental Cattle were of a high standard and did the Breed
proud. The members made an effort to support this special Show
as the McAlister family are excellent supporters of all the Scottish
Club’s activities (Shows/Sales/etc.) on the Mainland. Our
thanks to the Society for Sponsorship of £200 which went
towards the cost of the Ferry.
At the October 2006 Perth Bull Sales,
there was an increased demand for Simmental Cattle following a
top quality Show, judged by David Lowry, where interest was shown
from both pedigree and commercial buyers. Averages increased more
than £700 on the year for 21 more sold. Congratulations to
Finlay and Neil McGowan who secured the joint top price of 10,000gns
with their bull Dirnanean Salavdor, along with Northern Ireland
breeder Billy Robson & Sons, Simmental Champion, Kilbride Farm
Strabane. A mention also for Hector Macaskill (Woodhall) re his
Draft Sale, selling 7 females to a top of 6,000gns to average 3,885gns.
The collective sale was led by a 4,700gns call for the MacPherson’s,
Blackford Ruby. They also produced the Female Champion, Blackford
Rhiannon which made 3,800gns. The Reserve Female was L. Quarm’s,
Annick Helen’s Sarah, selling at 3,500gns. The 20 females
in the collective sale averaged out at £1761.38.
Committee
Member, Caroline Greenhill and her fiancé Clark Farquharson,
were nominated by the Council of the Society, to attend the Canadian
World Congress. Caroline’s report can be read in the Review.
Congratulations to Gordon Clark, Broombrae Farm, Cupar, for successfully
being elected on to Council. Robert MacGregor had completed his
term of Office.
At the Scottish Club’s AGM, Peter Close retired
as Chairman and Dorothy Moffat (Innerwick), was elected. The new
Vice Chairman being Iain Green (Corskie). Finally, thank you to
all the members for their support and enthusiasm during the year.
<<back  |
