.. All members please note that our A.G.M. is listed to take place on 25th February 2010 at 8.30p.m. at The McWilliam Park Hotel Claremorris Co. Mayo. Your attendance would be appreciated.
The Western Simmental Club will be holding the annual dinner dance at the McWilliam Park Hotel Claremorris on Friday 22-1-2010. The gathering will be at 8.30p.m. Spots galore. Dancing to Hearts Delight. Get dawn to the McWilliam Park and shake off the winter and weather woes. Tickets can be obtained from any committee member.
Quality Bull for sale: "Moyle Volcano" dob 22-2-2007, progeny can be seen on the farm.Sire is Clonfad Pirate, Dam is Moyle Lollipop" with Moyle Jack and Hillcrest Champion in the breeding. Contact Sean on 086-3938594.
The lucky winner of our raffle for a Simmental Cross heifer was Jerome McWeeney Foxfield Co. Leitrim. Well done Jerome and best of luck with the heifer. Much needed funds were raised for the Irish Cancer Society and the Western Simmental Club in this venture. More about this later.
Western Simmental Club Mobile Number 086 884 3131 The Western Simmental Club will shortly be contactable by mobile phone.The phone will predominantly be used for text messageing, ie up comming events, sales etc. At this stage it will not be an answering service. There are a number of members who have yet to notify us of their mobile numbers, please do so a.s.a.p. This messageing service will drastically cut expenditure in the long term. More about this later.
Ballymote 2009 listing Ballymote Sale 26th October 2009
Click on above link to download ballymote 2009 listing im M.S Excel format
Report on Open Day 2009:
A very successful Open Day was held on the farm of Tom & Carmel Maloney Bohola on Saturday 29th August 2009. This was planned to be an outdoor event close to the junction of Carroward and the Bohola/Ballyvary road, but due to the inclement weather plan B had to be implemented and the entire event was held indoors in Toms new shed. Might I say at this stage that the facilities were second to none and a very enjoyable and informative day was had by all. The theme for the day was “The Roll of Simmental in Suckling”. The stock on view included stock bull Hillcrest Sylvester who has 47 calves on the ground and 43 of them are heifers, by using this bull one has a 91% chance of a heifer calf, semen available. Incalf cows, maiden heifers, were also on view.
Western Club Chairman Padraig Kennedy started matters by welcoming everybody to the event and wished every success to the Maloney family. Host farmer Tom Maloney explained that he was changing from spring calving to autumn, this was more suitable to him at this time. President of the Irish Simmental Society Bertie Houston then addressed the gathering of 160. We were privileged to have two presidents at this event the second being Breian Carroll President of ACA (Toms Agricultural adviser) and Main Sponsor. He outlined the potential difficulties ahead for farmers in the current uncertain financial crises. He spoke at length and his address was of huge benefit to all. This was followed by a grooming demonstration by Elaine Hennelly and Niall Canning the grooming techniques were outlined by Gerry Lenehan. Those intending to bring their cattle to the shows in the future were in for a treat. Peadar Glennon Breed Promotion Manager and Society Secretary then carried the banner and explained the benefits of Simmental and spoke about the theme for the day. It was then time to hear from a veterinary surgeon from the Veterinary Lab in Sligo Damien Barrett he spoke about weaning difficulties, dosing, nutrition and autumn calving and even had some tips for those purchasing weanlings this autumn. Time for more practical stuff and Linear Scoring, Donie McKeon gave us the secrets that was required for an animal to have a good score, by doing so he has taken the mystery away and we will no longer fear the unknown. Last item on the agenda was hoof care, Pat Gunnigan gave a presentation with the aid of a few sample hoofs and pointed out the various difficulties associated with laminitis. He also paired the hoofs of a cow and it became necessary to fit a shoe to assist in her recovery. This was a timber shoe and was glued on. The sponsors Breian Carroll, Connaught Gold, and Murray Agri Balla were thanked by Michael Prendergast Sec and an enjoyable day was had by all. Refreshments were provided for all by the Maloney family.
HILLCREST SYLVESTER
Semen for sale contact Tom on 087-9197006
,Draw for a Simmental X Heifer in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society
The club has Purchased a Simmental x Heifer from the Carralavin herd of Joe Jordan.
This heifer is to be raffled at our Premier sale in Ballymote on the 26th October 2009.
The purpose of the raffle
ØRaise much needed funds for the club.
ØRaise awareness of our breed throughdifferent media outlets.
Ø Raise much needed funds for a worthy cause.
The raffle is to be held in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society with all proceeds being divided equally.
It is requested that each member sell some tickets in their locality and assist the club at the summer shows and at the ploughing championships.
This venture should be very successful culminating with extra publicity for our Ballymote Sale.
Tickets can be purchased
ØFrom any committee member of the Club (details in Home Page)
ØAt the local Summer Shows
The success of this venture is dependent on the participation of every Member.
The Cornwall Simmental group attended at our Agricultural Show in Strokestown on Saturday 12th September, they were led by their chairperson Penny Lally, Viv Hall Sec. Charlie Harris treasurer, Jenny Harris, Jim & Jean Buckland, Jill & Steve Gummow, John & Bridget Olds, Andrew Parker, Jeff Berryman and Debbie Ash, Stephen & Angela Pearse, Adelle James, Margaret Garland. Also from other clubs were Sandra Francis, Tony & Ann Jukes, Janet Jones, Len Curry, Roy & Valerie Loud (South West Club), David & Kath Edwards, Anna Marie White, an enjoyable day and hopefully members from the Western Simmental Club will travel to Cornwall at some stage in the future and meet up with old friends. One never knows it may well be the start of trade in Simmental cattle between the clubs ! (see photograph page)