The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Combined breed record at Stirling
Aseven-year-old Simmental cow and her heifer calf sold for a combined breed record price of 23,000gns to lead the much-anticipated Annick herd dispersal at Stirling Agricultural Centre.
Sold as separate lots, the top-priced cow, Annick Colleen’s Ginger, was bought for 15,000gns, and her calf for 8,000gns, by Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, and later in the sale the Simmers also bought the heifer Annick Ginger’s Lucia and Ginger’s daughter for 16,000gns.
One of the most anticipated lots in the catalogue was the February 2020-born heifer, Annick Ginger’s Lucia, which had secured a string of show titles through the summer, including the breed reserve championship at the Royal Highland Show.
Having calved a heifer calf by Kilbride Farm Karl
the day before the sale, Annick Ginger’s Lucia couldn’t travel to Stirling.
However, her breeding and show ring performance was enough to see her race to 16,000gns and again be purchased by the Simmers family, who narrowly beat her by winning the Royal Highland championship.
The Simmers’ purchases will add to their 80-cow Backmuir pedigree herd.
Reece Simmers said he
had admired the breeding line for some time.
He added: “All three purchases have a lot of style, are very feminine, and tremendous examples of the Simmental breed.
“It’s not often you get a chance to buy quality like this, so we are absolutely delighted to get them.”
The sale grossed £220,710, with 19 lots sold at 5,000gns or more, with further cow and calf units at 12,500gns and 9,400gns.
The 19 cows with calves at foot averaged £5,344, cows averaged £5,423 and maiden heifers averaged £3,255.
Selling as two separate lots at a combined unit price of 12,500gns were Annick Desiree’s Joy VG88 at 6,500gns and her heifer calf Annick Joy’s Natalie at 6,000gns.
They were purchased by Geoff and Kate Anderson for their Quarryhill herd at Westergreens Farm, Lossiemouth, Moray.
At 6,200gns, Annick Whitney’s Fresia EX94 and her heifer calf Annick Fresia’s Neomi were purchased by JC MacIver, Forres.
Two cow and calf lots sold for 6,000gns, namely Annick Fleur’s Jasmin VG89 and her heifer calf at foot, Annick Jasmine’s Nectar, to Inverdunning Ltd of Perthshire, and Annick Diamond’s Kylie GP82 and Annick Kylie’s Nicole, purchased by Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin.