“People might ask, why is a man with 26 breeding females is spending this kind of money on a bull, and I say that it is because I want the best quality bull to enhance my herd.”
Those are the words of Noel Kilpatrick of the Ballymoney pedigree Simmental herd in Banbridge, Co Down.
He was referring to the acquisition of the 28,000gns Bannhill Farm Masterpiece in partnership with Elite Pedigree Genetics at the Simmental bull sale at United Auctions, Stirling, on Monday, February 21, 2022.
Masterpiece, from the herd of Alan Wilson, Rathfriland, Co. Down, set what is believed to be a new record top price for a Simmental bull from Northern Ireland.
Masterpiece is by the 12,000gns AI bull, Kilbride Farm Bantry, and is the fifth calf bred out of his dam, Ballinalare Farm Evita.
Evita is a full sister to the noted Ballinalare Farm Galaxy, by the 21,000gns Auchorachan Wizard.
According to a spokesperson for the British Simmental Society, this breeding line has “seen success” at Stirling previously.
Mr Wilson sold Masterpiece’s full brother Ballinalare Farm Legacy at the corresponding sale in 2022 for 10,000gns, respectively.
Judge comments
Masterpiece, himself a June-born bull, won the Intermediate section before clinching the overall supreme champion title, and in the judge’s, Colin Fordyce, eyes, is “a typical and modern Simmental bull with a lot of class”.
“He had tremendous length with plenty of shape, but is not extreme,” the judge remarked.
“Also, he is really good across the plates; he had good legs, walked well, and really showed himself.”
“He is a quality bull and a worthy champion from within a strong show of Simmentals.”
Buyer remarks
Kilpatrick commented that “this is the best Simmental bull that I have seen since I purchased Saltire Impressive back in 2018”.
“I could not find a fault in him. He is a great walker with a good back end, plenty of length, a lovely head, and he is just very pleasing on the eye.”
“The aim from here is that Masterpiece will go straight to stud while I wait to bring him home.”
“The bull has been purchased in partnership with Bartley Finnegan of Elite Pedigree Genetics, and we will be making his semen available throughout the UK as soon as possible.”
“A further aim is to produce sexed semen to target the dairy industry, which is important in the trade in Northern Ireland.”
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