Wolfstar team takes top two

In all, 86 of the 127 bulls forward for sale, found new homes to level at £5039, representing a 67% clearance – figures which Simon Key, chairman of the society's shows and sales from Norwich, said were better than anticipated.

 "It has been a far better sale than I expected given the state of the beef industry when finished prices are as low as they are," said Mr Key, who added that the society has been busy preparing for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Simmental breed in the UK, later this year.

 Four 'fantastic' days of events, to include a massive breed show and Leading Ladies sale, have been organised at the end of July, which over the past couple of months has seen Iain Kerr, formerly of the Limousin Society, taken on by the Simmental Society to oversee the running of the anniversary days, following the departure of chief executive Neil Shand.

 This, Mr Key said was a temporary post, and that the post of chief executive is about to be advertised after Mr Shand left through a mutual agreement with the society after 10 years service.

 Star of the show and the sale ring were bulls from Ross King and his father Alex' Wolfstar herd from Haddington, which not only bagged the overall championship and top price but also the reserve senior honours and second highest bid at 17,000gns.

 Sale leader was Wolfstar Jackaroo, which was producing a personal best in both the show and sale ring for the 40-cow herd which runs alongside a further 150 commercial cows at Wolfstar, where tractorman Brian Wallbank has been left to do all the work this week.

 Backed by the best of genetics, this June 2018-born bull which first won the intermediate championship, is another son of the 11,000gns stock sire, Team Celtic, a bull that bred the herd's previous best at 17,000gns along with several other five-figure lots. The dam, Wolfstar Ellie, is by the retained stock sire, Wolfstar Wotsit, which has been a great female breeder.

 One of the first sons sold by Islavale Guy, a Curaheen Bandit-sired bull bought privately for an undisclosed five-figure price from the Stronach family, was behind the King's 17,000gns sale in Wolfstar Jimmy Choo. Equally impressive is his dam, Wolfstar Forget-Me-Not, a Team Celtic daughter which has been flushed and one which has already bred a stockbull for the farm.

 Notably, both the 18,000gns and 17,000gns bulls sold to the judge Phil Simmers, who together with his brother, Symon, and sons Reece and Andrew run 700 cows to include 50 pedigree Simmentals and 200 pure Luings, as part of Backmuir Trading, Keith.

 "I was looking for bulls with good, square, deep bodies, plates and wide pelvis' which would make good female breeders, and these two were in a class of their own," said Mr Simmers.

 Third top price was 10,000gns paid for the red ticket holder, Finlarg Jaguar, another June 2018-born bull this time from Robert and Hazel McNee, daughter Kate (7) and son Alan (5), Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee. Full brother to last year's intermediate champion here, Jaguar is by the Auchorachan Winger-sired Team Drambuie – a bull bought privately from Robert Macgregor, that bred a 6000gns bull here in May, 2019. He is out of the Halenook Vargner-sired cow, Dirnanean Lotti, which was bought at the herd dispersal as a foundation female. Jaguar headed home with Sam McClymont and sons William and Scott, Tinnis, Yarrow.

Three bulls sold for 9000gns with the first of those being David and Jonathan Hazelton's Ranfurly Jackpot, purchased by Alan Cowens for pedigree use and to put over Luing cows at Philiphaugh, Selkirk. Living up to his name, this 19-month-old red rosette winner from the 22-cow herd from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, is by Auchorachan ACDC and bred from the Hillcrest Champion daughter, Raceview Fancywinty.

Jackpot lived up to his name for Green family's Corskie herd from Fochabers, Moray, too, when their first prize September 2018-born entry, was bought by Caithness breeder, Jonathan Gunn buying for the Mavsey herd from Lybster at 9000gns. Corskie Jackpot is by Dirnanean Bradley, an Ex93-classified bull and former champion winner at the Highland Show, and out of the Ex90 Corskie Frolic by the record priced 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie.

Corskie also received 7000gns for their reserve overall champion, Corskie Jalex, another by Bradley, but out of the Celtic Rock show heifer, Corskie Exseed Ex94 – one of 180 pedigree cows in herd. Aberdeenshire producers C and G Thomson, Wester Tulloch, Midmar, forked out the cash for this May 2018-born bull.

 The last of the 9000gns bulls came for Saltire Jaguar, a fourth prize September 2018-born bull from John and Grace Houliston and daughter Gayle Campbell's 15-cow herd from Drem, North Berwick. Jaguar, an AI son of Team Celtic, heads south to Cambridgeshire with JA Griffin, Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon. His dam is Saltire Gayle, a Kilbridge Farm Dragoon daughter.

 Rob Forrest and son Bob, went to 8200gns for the best from Gordon Clark's 25-cow Broombrae herd from Auchtermuchty, Cupar, for commercial use at Preston, Duns. He is by Corksie Elgin, a 12,000gns purchase, and out of Broombrae Rosina, by Team Wisconsin.

 Top price for Clive Houldey and son Harry's 160-cow herd from Kirtleton House, Waterbeck, Lockerbie, was 8000gns paid by Floors Farming, Roxburgh Estates, Kelso. Selling at this price was Manor Park John, a second prize intermediate by the privately purchased Corskie Ebay, a Dirnanean Bradley son, out of Manor Park Davina, a Blackford Park Worzel daughter.

 A good run of bulls from the MacPherson family from Blackford, Croy, sold to 8000gns to average £7455 for three. Tops for this 25-cow herd managed by daughter Anne, was Blackford Jumbo, a first prize winner that boasts Scottish Neff – one of the first Simmental bulls in the UK – in his pedigree no fewer than 55 times.

 Jumbo is by Blackford Galaxy – a former champion winner at the Highland Show that bred sons to 11,000gns last February and has been sold privately to Michael Barlow, while the dam, Blackford Frosty is by Kilbride Farm Doubleaction. Such is the breeding potential of this September-born entry, purchased by Allan Wright, West Lundie, Argaty, Doune, that a small amount of semen has been retained by Blackford for use after 2025.

 Top breeding was also behind the MacPherson's 7500gns sale, when Blackford Juggernaut, a May 2018-born bull, sold to Ardhuncart Farms, Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire. Another by Galaxy, he is out of the Kilbride Farm Strabane daughter, Blackford Wagtail – the dam of the family's 45,000gns Capercaillie, sold here in 2013.

 The first son sold from the 11,000gns Dellfield Goldeneye from Heather Duff's Pitmudie herd from Laurencekirk, proved popular too, when Pitmudie Joskin realised 7200gns to Berwickshire producers, JW Fullerton, Corsbie, Earlston. This third prize 20-month-old entry is out of the Omorga Volvo daughter, Manor Park Babe which was bought at Carlisle as a heifer and two years ago bred the reserve intermediate here which sold for 7800gns.

 A big line up of bulls from the Stronach family's Islavale herd from Keith, peaked at 7000gns for Islavale Jeronimo, a son of Ranfurly Confederate – the sire of the 15,000gns top entry in October. A full brother to the 24,000gns Islavale Heston, he is out of the Curaheen Bandit daughter, Islavale Fran, and sold to John and David Maxwell, Jaw, Fintry, Glasgow.

 Two Islavale bulls made 6800gns, with the first, Islavale Jed, purchased by A and JH Dunlop, Mains of Glasswell, Kirriemuir. This 16-month-old son of Corksie Highlander, out of the Curaheen Bandit-sired cow, Islavale Harmony.

 Matching that bid was the last bull sold, Islavale Jurassic, a 15-month-old son of Atlow Dixon out of the Ex90-classified Islavale Erin, by Woodhall Walker. Hartlepool producers, RA and J Blyth, Middleton, Elwick, wrote the cheque.

 Home-bred genetics were behind the best from breed president, Michael Barlow's Denizes herd from Four Oakes, Leyland, when Denizes Jamie, a June 2018-born entry sold to the Greenhill family from Craighill, Duntrune, Dundee, for 7000gns. Their purchase is the first son sold by Denizes Hamish, a bull by Dinton Nautical retained for breeding, and out of Denizes Melody 22, a former Highland Show champion, by Bosahan Dynamo.

 Judge, Phil Simmers, Keith, also bought his choice of champion amongst the females, going to 4200gns for Lachlan Quarm's Annick Duchess 19, from the 30-cow herd from Holehouse, Stewarton.

 Selling at this price was a 20-month-old heifer by the 15,000gns Wolfstar Gold Digger – a bull that also sired the senior female and senior overall champion at the Stars of the Future. She is out of the Skerrington Visa daughter, Annick Duchess 14.

 Mr Quarm also sold the second top priced female at 4000gns to livestock nutritionist and stockman, Matt Gilliland, Irvine. This was Annick Desiree's Joy, a March 2018-born heifer by the 18,000gns Corskie Callum, out of another home-bred Visa daughter.

 Next at 3000gns was a cow and calf outfit from N and N Gwynne's Chestermann herd from Castlewigg, Whithorn, purchased by Alexander Harley Seeds, Thomanean, Milnathort, Kinross. This was Chestermann Empire Mali, a four-year-old cow by Sterling Empire, and her three-month-old bull calf, Chestermann Knockout, by Overhill House Data.

LEADING awards

 Heifers born Nov 12, 2017 to April 30, 2018 – 1, R McCulloch's Overhill House Iris, by Denizes Gigantic, 2000gns to DJG Wright, Innerfield, Lockerbie; 2, LD Quarm's Annick Desiree's Joy, by Corskie Callum, 4000gns to M Gilliland C/O Holehouse, Alnwick estate, Ayrshire; 3, N and N Gwynne's Chestermann Empire Non, by Sterling Empire, unsold; 4, N and N Gwynne's Chestermann Data Natalie, by Overhill House Data, unsold; 5, N and N Gwynne's Chestermann Data Mali, by Overhill House Data, 2000gns to A Darcy, Moatvilie, Navan, Republic of Ireland .

 Heifers born on or after May 1, 2018 – 1 and female champion, LD Quarm's Annick Duchess, by Wolfstar Gold Digger, 4200gns to Backmuir, Keith, Morayshire; 2 and reserve female champion, D Craig's Kennox Frankie's Jewel, by Woodhall Ferrari, 2300gns Backmuir, Keith.

 Bulls born Feb 24 to April 2, 2018 – 1, WJ and J Green's Corskie Jones, by Auchorachan Farmer, 5000gns to D Bryce and Sons, Cowden, Stirling; 2, MA Barlow's Denizes Jameson, by Kilbride Farm Glenhead, 4200gns to Genoch Mains, C/O JJM McIntosh, Genoch Mains, Stranraer; 3, SB Knox’s Kyleston Judge, by Keeldrum Eclipse, 3000gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Orkney; 4, Delfur Farms’ Delfur Jackpot, unsold; 5, R and P McAlister’s Bruchag Jasper, by Denizes Gallant, unsold.

 Bulls born April 3, 2018 to April 17, 2018 – 1, WJ Green’s Corskie Jackass, by Dirnanean Bradley, unsold; 2, R McCulloch’s Overhill House John Boy, by Overhill House Fadden, 4000gns to TS and H Park, Todgill, Cowanbridge, Carnforth; 3, WS Stronach’s Islavale Jesus, by Curaheen Giant, 4500gns to D and G Manson and Sons, Brodieshill, Alves, Forres; 4, GW Smith’s Drumsleed Jakarta, by Wolfstar Gordy, 6000gns to DN Campbell and Sons, Bardnaclavan, Westfield, Caithness; 5, T Hill’s Scotland Hill Jim, by Glenturk Extra Special, 3200gns to MJ Wallace, Whitehills, Sorbie, Newton Stewart.

 Bulls born April 18, to May 3, 2018 – 1, WS Stronach’s Islavale Jupiter, by Islavale G I Joe, 500gns to GD Key and Son, Hill Cottage, Mundham, Norwich, Norfolk; 2, LD Quarm’s Annick Jonah, by Wolfstar Gold Digger, 6500gns to RR Mackay, Rattar Mains, Caithness; 3, B Grant’s Dellfield Justice, by Kilbride Farm Goldstar; 4500gns to S Knox, North Balloch, Alyth; 4, R McCulloch’s Overhill House Johnston, by Overhill House Fadden, 3500gns to J and TF Macfarlane, Flass, Westruther, Gordon, Berwickshire; 5, GW Smith’s Drumsleed Jericho, by Islavale Ferrari, 3000gns to T Mckinnel, Drumneil, Whauphill, Newton Stewart

 Bulls born May 4 to May 16, 2018 – 1 and senior champion, WS Stronach’s Islavale Jimbo, by Corskie Highlander, 5500gns to T Baintwiness Rapness, Westray, Orkney; 2 and reserve senior, A King’s Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, by Islavale Guy, 17,000gns to Backmuir, Keith, Morayshire; 3, RS and ME Weatherup’s Roma Jaguar, by Curaheen Wakeman, 3200gns to GL Clark, Broombrae, Auchtermuchty, Fife; 4, GW Smith’s Drumsleed Jordy, by Wolfstar Gordy, 4000 D and A Sinclair, East Dron, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire; 5, WS Stronach’s Islavale Jumanji, by Curaheen Giant, 5500gns to AR Strathdee, Langlanburn, Deskford, Cullen.

 Bulls born May 17 to May 26, 2018 – 1, reserve intermediate champion and reserve male champion, WJ Green’s Corskie Jalex, by Dirnanean Bradley, 7000gns to C and G Thomson, Wester Tulloch, Midmar, Aberdeenshire; 2, WS Stronach’s Islavale Jagerbomb, by Islavale Echo; 5000gns to Gartincaber, Auchmar, Drymenl; 3, GW Green’s Drumsleed Jayhawk, by Islavale Ferrari, unsold; 4, DC Houldey’s Manor Park Jack, by Kilbride Farm Foreman, 4000gns to R Elliott, Lordsview, High moor, Tadcaster; 5, WG Macpherson’s Blackford Juggernaut, by Blackford Galaxy, 7500 gns to Ardhuncart, Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire.

 Bulls born May 27 to June 11, 2018 – 1 intermediate champion and overall male champion, A King’s Wolfstar Jackaroo, by Team Celtic, 18000gns to Backmuir, Keith, Morayshire; 2, C Inglis’ Greencap Jackson, by Greencap Jackson, 5000 gns to C Mclean, Aucharroch, Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir, Angus ; 3, H Duff’s Pitmudie Joskin, by Dellfield Goldeneye, 7200gns to JW Fullerton and Sons, Corsbie, Earlston, Berwickshire; 4, W Ward’s Westridge Jerome, by Woodhall Freeman, 3200gns to Hamilton organic, Aikengall, Innerwick, Dunbar; 5, GW Smith’s Drumsleed Jude, by Islavale Ferrari, 3000gns to Balnabroich, Dundee, Angus.

 Bulls born June 14 to July 2, 2018 – 1, K and A Mcnee’s Finlarg Jaguar, by Team Drambuie, 10000gns to S Mcclymont, Tinnis, Yarrow, Selkirk; 2, DC Houldey’s Manor Park John, by Corskie Ebay, 8000gns to Floors farming, Rawburn, c/o RE Jackson, Roxburghe, Kelso; 3, D Lowry’s Keeldrum Josh, by Perrywood Fearless, unsold; 4, KC Veitch’s Drumlone Jonah, by Kilbride Farm Bantry, 2800gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney; 5, MA Barlow’s Denizes Johnny, by Denizes Hamish, 6000gns to WJ Hollingsworth Midhope Hall, Midhopestones, Sheffield.

 Bulls born July 3 to July 28, 2018 – 1, WD and JD Hazelton’s Ranfurly Jackpot, by Auchorachan Acdc,9000gns to Philiphaugh Estates, Old mill farm, Selkirk; 2, K and A Mcnee’s Finlarg Jock, by Team Drambuie, 5800gns to Ormsary Farmers, Lochgilphead, Argyll; 3, WH Robson’s Kilbride Farm Japan, by Sneumgaard Imperator, 5000gns to Bannerman, Delny, Invergordon, Ross-shire; 4, GW Smith’s Drumsleed Jocky, by Haystar Cracker, 3500gns to Moyes, Craigenkerrie, Glassel, Banchory; 5, WH Robson’s Kilbride Farm Jerome, by Sneumgaard Imperator, 2800gns to Connon brae, Torgorm, Conon bridge, Dingwall, Ross-shire.

 Bulls born July 29, to August 24, 2018 – 1, WH Robson’s Kilbride Farm Jules, by Crugmel YN Brenin, 6200gns to A and E Paton and Son, Millenderdale, Lendalfoot, Girvan, Ayrshire; 2, WH Robson’s Kilbride Farm Jacobite, by Sneumgaard Imperator, 5500gns to TA Jones and Son, Dryslwyn, Carmarthen; 3, WG Macpherson's Blackford Jacobite, by Hockenhull Waterloo, 5800gns to DG and J Walker, Drumbuie, Sanquhar, Dumfriess-shire; 4, JL and CJ Weatherup's Lisglass Jimmie, by Team Celtic, 3000gns to J Orr, Rumbletonlaw, Greenlaw, Duns, Berwickshire; 5, NA Shand's Cairnorrie Jimmy, by Dirnanean Bradley, 3800gns to J Heggie, Carden, Fossoway, Kinross,

 Bulls born August 25 to Sept 1, 2018 – 1, WG Macpherson's Blackford Jumbo, by, Blackford Galaxy, 8000gns to A Wright, West Lundie, Argaty, Doune; 2, WJ Green's Corskie Jaguar, by Auchorachan Farmer, 3200gns to Genoch Mains farms, c/o JJM McIntosh, Genoch Mains, Stranraer; 3, D and R Durno's Auchorachan Jeronimo, by Team Fergus, 3000gns to R Elliott, Lordsview, High Moor, Tadcaster; 4, KC Veitch's Drumlone Joyrider, by Curaheen Gunshot, unsold; 5, M and E McCloskey's Drumagarner Jarlath, by Drumagarner Derry, 2000gns to AM Duncan, Easter Dullatur, Glasgow.

 Bulls born Sept 2 to Sept 9, 2018 – 1, WJ and J Green's Corskie Jackpot, by Dirnanean Bradley, 9000gns to JS Gunn, Mavsey, Lybster, Caithness; 2, G and A Christie's Rockytop Jefferson, by Rockytop Gigolo, unsold; 3, D and R Durno's Auchorachan Jackass, by Team Fergus, 3000gns to M Howat, Stevenston, Ochiltree, Ayr; 4, SP McDonald's Coolcran Jameson, by Ashland Brandy, 3000gns to A and E Paton and Son, Millenderdale, Lendalfoot, Ayrshire; 5, D and R Durno's Auchorachan Jupiter, by Team Fergus, 2600gns to Gillesbie, Drysdale, Gillesbie, Lockerbie.

 Bulls born Sept 10 to Sept 29, 2018 – 1 and junior champion – 1, JN Glasgow's Bridgewater Farm Jazzman, by Curaheen Dickens, 6000gns to H Cockburn and Partners, Kingside, Leadburn; 2, D and R Durno's Auchorachan Jocky, by Team Fergus, 3000gns to SRUC, Oatridge campus, Ecclesmachan Uphall; 3, M Ward's Westridge Junior, by Woodhall Freeman, unsold; 4, J and G Houliston's Saltire Jaguar, by Team Celtic, 9000gns to JA Griffin, Hemingford Abbots, Cambridgeshire; 5, G and A Christie's Rockytop Jumanji, by Kilbride Farm Fearless, 3800gns to I Anderson, Sootiewells, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire,

 Bulls born Sept 30, to Oct 25, 2018 – 1 and reserve junior champion, HC Stubbs and AA Burleigh's Derrycallaghan Jasper, by Mullyknock Gallant, 3000gns to RG Innes, Crossburn, Keith, Banff-shire; 2, WS Stronach's Islavale Jed, by Corskie Highlander, 6800gns to A and J Dunlop, Mains of Glasswell, Kirriemuir, Angus; 3, WS Stronach's Islavale Jeeves, by Atlow Dixon, 4000gns to D Hodgson and Son, Swinhoe North, Chathill, Northumberland; 4, WS Stronach's Islavale Jackson, by Ranfurly Confederate, 5000gns to J Barclay and Son, Ardiecow, Fordyce, Banff; 5, WJ and J Green's Corskie Jignite, by Dirnanean Bradley, 2800gns to G Stewart and Sons, Strathmore, Coull, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

 Bulls born on or after Oct 26, 2018 – 1, WS Stronach's Islavale Jeronimo, by Ranfurly Confederate, 7000gns to OFJ Maxwell, Jaw Farm, Fintry, Glasgow; 2, WS Stronach's Islavale Jurassic, by Atlow Dixon, 6800gns to RA and J Blyth Middleton House, Elwick, Hartlepool; 3, C and S Mcilwaine's Corrick Judge, by Curaheen Gunshot, 2800gns to GW Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire; 4, WJ and J Green's Corskie Jenkins, by Aultmore Franco, unsold; 5, WS Stronach's Islavale Juggernaught, by Curaheen Giant, 4000gns to J Lathangie and Son, Pyeston, Markinch, Fife.