For 2017, the Simmental Society will be focused on the profitability of suckling and showing how Simmental fits into one of the highest profit models when bulls are slaughtered at under 16 months and heifers are sold as seed stock to other suckler farmers.

Once again the National Simmental Show at Tullamore was an outstanding success with the quality of cattle on show continually improving and the Ploughing display will feature a number of the national winners including both the senior and junior cow champions.

Both of these cows highlight the key traits of the breed, ie a good milky cow with a well developed calf at foot. With costs of feeding cattle constantly increasing, it is a must that the cow can give the calf as good a start as possible.

As per previous years, the yearling bull class will feature a selection of bulls which have qualified through club finals and the Tullamore Show. This class, which is sponsored by Agricare Nutrition, will be the highlight of day one and will be judged on the Tuesday at 2pm.

The focus of the commercial section will tie in with the main theme and feature young bulls capable of reaching 420kg carcase weight at under 16 months. These bulls are typical of young bulls that are delivering high returns for suckler farmers. Also on display will be a number of Simmental cross heifers, both weanling and maiden. These will highlight the quality of heifers that will be offered for sale at the society breeding heifer sales later in the year.

The society will also be promoting its autumn sale schedule which has as its highlight the premier pedigree show and sale at Roscommon on Saturday 4 November. There will be 70 bulls and 70 females offered for sale, guaranteeing a selection that will offer choice to customers.

There will be three Simmental cross breeding heifer sales in October starting at Ballymote on Saturday 7 October, Tullamore on Monday 9 October and Gort on Thursday 19 October. These sales offer suckler farmers an ideal opportunity to source top quality replacement heifers.