In the cattle lines, the overall beef interbreed and beef young handlers awards will be judged by Gerald Smith, who runs the Drumsleed herd of pedigree
Simmentals at Fordoun, near Laurencekirk.
Ten pedigree breeds will go under the hammer over the course of the event, starting with pedigree Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Hereford, Limousin, Lincoln Red, Luing and British Blue breeds in week one while week two features pedigree Charolais, Salers and
Simmentals.
Bullocks were a strong trade with a pen of three
Simmentals topping at PS1040 from Messrs Richardson, Purdomstone.
Simmentals also featured in the upper echelons on the day and a great run of red and white sorts were brought out by Graham Willey, Broomfield, Chopwell who sold to a worthy top of PS1300 and averaged PS1196 for seven weight making females.
The characteristics of
Simmentals by their economically useful traits in the conditions of Lviv region.
The
Simmentals were well featured in the prestigious Team of Five with eight distinct beef breeds taking up the challenge and took best, with animals selected by the judge, Mr Iain Green from Morayshire, Scotland, with a award winning stock from Gethin Lloyd (Carmarthen), Boddington Estates (Cheltenham), Barlow Bros (Preston), Guy van der Gucht (Gloucester) and Brian and Tilly Raymond (Carmarthen).
Peter Snodgrass presenting a trophy for the winning pair of
Simmentals: Sterling Patricia, owned by the British
Simmental Cattle Society and Farnborough Redhot, from Farnborough Fields Farm, near Banbury; Peter Snodgrass, John Hughes,and Graham Davis (all of Needham & James; John Hughes (staff) and Christopher Northsote-Green; Debbie Blake and Needham & James client Paul Teague
Simmentals topped at 8,500gn for the reserve champion - Jaw Instagram from the Maxwell family at Jaw, Fintry.
Simmentals sold to PS1050 for a steer from W Ferrie, Newton Stewart.
Another tremendous trade with 26 grade 1 beef cows averaging pounds 1043, including a grand run of meated cows from EDE & DR Price, Mitchel Troy, which averaged pounds 1031 and topped the
Simmentals at pounds 1180 (twice) and Angus at pounds 1170 (twice).
Charolais and
Simmentals both enjoyed a solid clearance and peaked at 8,500gn at United Auctions' May bull sale at Stirling, with the Charolais breed selling 33 to average PS5,676, while 29
Simmentals sold to level at PS4,439.
John Roberts, United Auctions' group sales director, said: "It's great to see another breed record entry for
Simmentals and we're delighted to have the support of so many pedigree breeders who recognise the value of being part of the May Bull Sales.