Simmental Semen Bound for Kenya
2011-05-24

A substantial quantity of semen from the February 2010 Perth junior and supreme overall Simmental champion, Auchorachan Wizard, is bound for export to Kenya.

Announcing the semen export deal to Kenya are Anne Spencer, Asda, and Joe Wilson, Newry, with his Simmental stock bull, Auchorachan Wizard.

The international export deal was announced by the bull’s owner, Joe Wilson, Newry, and Asda buying manager, Anne Spencer.

Semen from the 20,000gns Auchorachan Wizard has been purchased by Everest Enterprises Ltd chief executive, John Karuga, who is establishing a herd of pedigree Simmentals.

Asda agricultural manager, Pearce Hughes, who also runs a herd of 20 pedigree Simmental cows said:”Mr Karuga first saw the Simmental breed when he visited the Royal Show in Stoneleigh several years ago. He wants to establish a herd of pedigree Simmentals and selected Auchorachan Wizard for his ease of calving and tremendous Breedplan figures.”

Auchorachan Wizard is owned by Joe Wilson and sons, Keith, Alan and Neil, who founded the 60-cow Ballinlare Farm Simmental herd in 1984.

He boasts tremendous Breedplan figures, including a terminal sire index of +30, and a self replacing index of +37, placing him in the top one per cent of the Simmental breed. Wizard is also easy calving at +4.1, compared to the breed’s average of -0.6, which, given his performance figures is a rare combination.

Asda’s buying manager, Anne Spencer added:”John Karuga supplies green beans to Asda stores throughout the UK. I’ve known him for several years and was happy to assist in his search for a Simmental bull.

“Auchorachan Wizard was recommended by Cogent’s livestock business manager, Stuart Boothman. He is a very correct and well balanced bull, and ticks all the boxes to fulfil Mr Karuga’s requirements.

“Wizard is a classic example of the modern-day Simmental, and is not only a bull that will have a tremendous impact on the breed, but also on the commercial beef sector for suckler replacements and beef finishers.”

Semen from Auchorachan Wizard is available from Cogent. Conventional semen is priced at £25 per straw, while female sexed semen is available at a cost of £35 per straw. Pedigree calf registrations will carry a royalty fee of £30 plus VAT.

The Ballinlare Farm herd first hit the headlines in the 1990s with the purchase of Camus Brandy. He is one of the most influential Simmental bulls of all-time, with semen sales exceeding 100,000 doses. Brandy, bred by Joe Campbell, Strabane, had a tremendous impact on the Ballinlare Farm herd, and made his mark on numerous herds throughout the UK and Ireland. Brandy sons have sold to a top of 12,000gns, realised by Dovefields Gallant – supreme champion at Perth in 1997.

Joe Wilson added:”We have been inundated with enquiries about semen from Auchorachan Wizard. This deal marks a significant milestone in the history of the Ballinlare Farm herd. We never dreamt we would be exporting semen to Kenya.”

For further information about Auchorachan Wizard contact Joe Wilson on tel: 028 4063 1863 or mobile: 07517 461408. Alternatively contact Cogent’s NI area manager, Ashley Fleming on mobile: 07775 561823.

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