Scottish Simmental Club 2010

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SCOTTISH SIMMENTAL CLUB

CLUB REPORT 2010

The Scottish Club have had another busy year with a packed diary of events.
The highlight was our Scottish National Simmental Show at Turriff , despite the long haul North we had our biggest Show yet, and the standard of the Simmentals being talked about all over the Showground.

On behalf of the Scottish Club may I also take this opportunity to congratulate Neil Shand on his recent appointment as General Secretary of the British Simmental Cattle Society.

Perth February Sale. The year started as usual with the Perth Bull sales in February, judged by Robert McAlister from Bute. Scottish Club members had the four highest prices. Firstly the two top-price 20000gn bulls, from Jim McLaren with Blackford Worzel, the intermediate champion, selling to Clive Houldey, and next Michael Durno with Auchorachan Wizard the Overall champion by Saltire Talent, selling to Joe Wilsons Ballinlare herd.

Michael also sold Auchorachan Winger for 10,000gn , by Clonagh Tiger Gallant to Robert MacGregor With Dorothy Moffat selling Innerwick Winchester by Oakhil Ned for the same price to W. Barclay. Bulls averaged £ 4751-83, for 135 sold, up £207 on the year. Females sold to 4000gn from Jimmy & Iain Green with Corskie Veil, with two at 3600gn- Blair Willow from Colin Fordyce and Skerrington Rebecca 40 from John & William Young.

Junior Stockjudging. In March we held our Annual Junior Stockjudging training day at Dargill courtesy of Mr Jim McLaren. Our teams were selected to represent the Club at the junior stockjudging competition, this year hosted by the Scottish Club at the Royal Highland Show due to the demise of the Royal Show.

May Sale. The Club held its Annual Show & Sale of commercial females in Stirling Market, once again the Show was kindly sponsored by Pfizer.

Heifer with calf at foot:
1st- East Skeichan, Arbroath £2300.

Bulling heifers under 15 months:
1st- Messr’s Short. Balquhadly, Brechin £840
2nd- Balquhadly, Brechin £840

Bulling heifers over 15 months:
1st-East Merkland, Strathaven £1200
2nd- Messrs Hamilton, Aikengall, Innerwick £980

Multibreed Bull Sale
Simmentals secured the days joint top price of 6200gn, from Messrs Stronach with Islavale Wizard, they also secured the days next best price of 5600gh for Islavale Windsor, both sons of their stock bull, Glenturk Premier. The Judge Mr William Young, selected Woodhall Wigtown from Hector Macaskill as his overall champion. Simmentals had another good sale averaging £3234 for 30 sold.

Royal Highland Show
This year Judge Mr David Lowry had the task of placing the large entry of Simmentals placing Drumsleed Paige from Gerald and Morag Smith as Overall champion with reserve going to W.J. Green with Corskie Star.

The Scottish Club hosted the interbreed stockjudging competition on the Friday with a large entry of teams from most of the breed Societies. Thank you to Judge Mr Rettie, and to Douglas Barr, Neil McGowan and Varrie Dyet for organising the competition.

On the Friday evening Dorothy once again organised the Clubs Annual Barbecue which was enjoyed by all who attended.

Our Young Members did the Club proud with Gail Clark 2nd in the over 21’s and Gillian Greenhill 3rd as well as 2nd in the pairs with Ross King.

Scottish National Simmental Show
In August we held our third Scottish National Simmental Show at Turriff. On the Sunday Evening Dorothy organised a Barbecue, enjoyed by all who attended. Despite heavy rain before the Show, and with the ground conditions very muddy we were lucky to have a dry day. A large entry of over 80 cattle, travelled from all over Scotland to compete.

Thanks to our Judge Mr Norman Robson from The Kilbride herd in Northern Ireland who placed Hazelden Carina as his overall champion which went on to be interbreed champion as well, making the long drive from Ayrshire worthwhile for Neil McGeoch. Reserve was Islavale Amigo, by Glenturk Premier from Stewart Stronach.

October Bull Sale
There was an excellent show of bulls forward for the October sale with Mr Liam Muir from Orkney to Judge.Overall champion was Drumlone Anchor from Kenny Veitch Northern Ireland , selling for 10,000gn.

Reserve Champion Drumacritten Arnold, also from Northern Ireland made 11,000gn to Pitgaveny farms, Elgin.

Top-price bull was Starline Apollo from Henry Widdicombe from Devon.

Scottish Club members also had a good day with the Smith family selling their intermediate champion Drumsleed Ace by Hockenhull Matthew for 8500gn to Snaigow farms. They also sold another of their bulls Drumsleed Amedeus for 7500gn.

Sir Edward Mountain also had a good sale, with Delfur Avenger selling for 8000gn to Neil McGeoch, Hazelden . Another of the Delfur bulls, Delfur Alfie by Glebefarm Reputation was placed as reserve Intermediate champion, selling to G.S. & G.I. Pettit, Tannachy.

Michael Durno sold Auchorachan Archer by Clonagh Tiger Gallant to the Sutherlands at Connachie for 7000gn.

Anne MacPherson sold to a top of 6500gn for Silverwells Alpha, and Reserve Senior Champion with Blackford Aristocrat. The Stronach family also received 6500gn for Islavale Adonis, selling to Brian Ross, Torran and 6200gn for Islavale Admiral selling to Dorothy Moffat, Innerwick. 86 0f the bulls sold top average £4358.72.

Annual General Meeting
At the AGM Iain Green retired as Chairman and Tom Henderson was elected as our new Chairman. Stewart Stronach was elected as Vice-Chairman.

Thank you Iain for all you have done for the Club as Chairman, and congratulations on your election as Vice-President of the Society. Morag Smith, Neil McGowan and Neil McGeoch retired from the Committee, on behalf of the Club thank you for all your work for the Club. Dorothy Moffat, Douglas Barr & Michael Durno were elected to the Committee.

40th Anniversary Supper
In the Evening the Club hosted a Buffet Supper for the Simmentals 40th Anniversary, a large turnout all enjoyed the evening with founding Member Mr George Anderson from Kair our guest speaker, who gave an interesting and entertaining speech on the Founding of the British Simmental cattle Society and the first importations from Europe. Thank you, Dorothy for the lovely cake.

Scottish Pedigree Calf Show
Members of the Club keenly supported Forfar Markets first Calf Show, with over 40 entries in the Simmental classes. The Judge Mr Brian Allan from Glenturk placing Auchorachan AC-DC from Michael Durno as his Senior Champion and Braegarrie Baxter from Lindsay Currie as Junior champion.

Senior Male and Senior champion- Auchorachan AC-DC.
Senior Female champion -Blackford Allegro.
Junior Male and Junior champion- Braegarrie Baxter.
Junior female champion- Strathisla Bubbles Geraldine.

Website
We have recently launched the Scottish Club Website, with a large amount of information about the Clubs various activities, Members and reports of shows and sales. www.scottishsimmental.com

And finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank Club, Committee Members and the “Simmy Girls down at Stoneleigh for all their help and support during the last year.

Turriff Show