The United Auctions Simmental Bull Sale in Stirling on February 21 saw some fierce bidding, with a new breed record average of £7,260. This was up by £425 on the year saw 97 bulls sold, up by eight on the year. The sale continued the surge in demand for Simmentals with this being the fourth Stirling fixture, and fifth Society Sale, in a row where a new record mark has been set.
Leading the sale at 28,000 gns, and setting a new record top price for a Simmental bull from Northern Ireland, was the Banhill Farm Masterpiece from Alan Wilson, Rathfriland, Co Down. In the pre-sale show, the bull won the Intermediate section before going on to lift the Overall Supreme title. Commenting on his champion, Colin Fordyce said: “This is a typical and modern Simmental bull with a lot of class. He had tremendous length with plenty of shape but is not extreme. Really good across the plates, he had good legs, walked well, and really showed himself. A quality bull and a worthy champion from within a strong show of Simmentals.”
Iain Kerr, general manager of the British Simmental Cattle Society, said: “It’s been a tremendous sale and well done to the breeders for bringing forward a great show of bulls full of choice and quality for commercial producers, and with breeders’ bulls as well. There’s a bounce in demand for the Simmental breed driven by commercial producers. We were delighted with positive feedback and approval from buyers in the Society’s recent breed survey, and this is also being backed up the strong run of bull and female sales that we’ve seen.”
The sale saw twenty bulls in all sell over the 9,000gns mark and with bulls finding their way to buyers from all four home countries. Orkney has been a strong market for Simmental bulls and featured again with nine heading to the island.
AVERAGES:
97 Bulls (+8) £7,260 (+£425)
4 Heifers £3,675
