President’s Message

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

In writing my first President’s Message to members can I say what a great honour and a privilege it is to have been elected to this position and in what is the breed and Society’s fiftieth anniversary year in the United Kingdom. I am passionate about this great breed and have worked with Simmental cattle for most of my life, so to now be entrusted as the Society’s 26th President is quite humbling, but I very much look forward to the term of office ahead.

I would also like to pay a warm tribute to my predecessor Michael Barlow. Michael has worked tirelessly in his two-year term and has dealt with a few ‘challenges and changes’ faced in that time with professionalism and diplomacy, and always with the best interests of the breed and the Society to the forefront. It would have been so fitting and rewarding for Michael to have been President at the Society’s planned 50th anniversary events. However, I know that he will continue to be a great support to the Society’s Council, and I thank him for handing over the reins with the Society in good shape.

The 2020 year has of course been blighted by the Covid-19 pandemic and our first thoughts must be for the well-being of all and with our sympathies to those that have been affected. The pandemic did of course massively impact on the year’s pedigree sales trading and wiped out the summer and winter show programmes anticipated by so many. We must hope that good science and the vaccine programme can quickly see a return to some normality through the 2021 year. It was a huge disappointment that we had to postpone the 50th anniversary show and sale planned for 2020, and after much consideration, cancel the rearranged event in the year ahead. However, the Society is committed to investing in forward promotions of the breed around the UK and I am excited to see those plans roll out when circumstance allows.

At the time of writing the trade for all classes of commercial and breeding cattle has been strong and bringing a level of confidence to suckler beef producers to invest in quality stock. Though a disrupted year, the 2020 sale demand for Simmental bulls from commercial producers and pedigree breeders was solid and it was encouraging to see the breed sell the biggest number of bulls at Stirling in October and to an increased average. On a weekly basis we have been circulating Simmental Market Briefs on Facebook showing the breed in action and it is clear that Simmental is performing well and profitably on a variety of systems and gaining reward at commercial markets around the UK.

Pedigree registration numbers are at a similar level to recent years, but there is a little downward pressure facing Simmental, and all breed societies, and we must take sight of this and address it. Financially the Society is in good order with the resources to take aim at a body of core and progressive work. Maintaining the finances of the Society is hugely important but I also think it is an important time for structured investment in initiatives, promotions, and technical programmes that highlight and evidence the fantastic attributes and profitability of Simmental cattle to the commercial beef producer. In early discussion with Council the simple vision for the years ahead is very much to be commercially focussed and to grow the market share of the breed. If we can do that then, for pedigree breeders, the market for bulls and breeding females will develop accordingly.

I repeat my previous comments to members. British Simmental has established itself as one of the most influential and profitable breeds in the beef industry and has all the attributes to be a maternal mainstay of the commercial suckler herd across the UK. Natural efficiency is a breed strength in so many ways. Simmentals are versatile; complement all breeds; are easy calving, maternal milky mothers; have longevity; produce beef from grass and are easy fleshing; and are fast growing with terrific weight for age. I’m hugely encouraged with the work reported within The Review that shows that Simmental is the UK’s

No.1 Continental Beef Breed for Age at Slaughter. This is an important trait that can define the breed and, coupled with its growth advantages, deliver a green beef product with increased profitability. In a competitive and challenging industry, the commercial farmer will invest in the types of animals that will leave the best return. It must be all of our aims to make the Simmental the commercial beef producers ‘go to breed’ for performance and profitability. If you breed the type of animal that buyers are looking for, I have no doubt you can get good returns with Simmentals in all geographies of the UK.

As you’re aware it has also been a year of transition for the Society’s staff and we have been delighted to welcome Iain Kerr as the Society’s new General Manager. Iain brings a wealth of experience in the management of both a pedigree cattle and sheep society, and he also comes from a family background of Simmental cattle. Bringing a fresh approach, and with plenty of enthusiasm, we are delighted to have Iain on board and look forward to working with him in the coming years. The new team in place has also seen us welcome Kate Stephens, Polly Goldie, and Nicola Moreton who collectively bring a combination of youth and experience with directly related skills and connections with agriculture. Through the changeover and the added difficulties of working remotely, the Society’s work has been carried on both professionally and seamlessly with little disruption. In due course the new staff are eager to meet members at forward sales and events.

Ongoing work sees the transition of the Society’s DNA services from Microsatellites to SNP technology. In addition to the core sire and parentage service, the move also brings forward potential to extend performance evaluation into genomic technologies. Beyond this, the year ahead will see the ‘old’ Simmental building be demolished and the relevant Society work being archived accordingly. Both of these respective tasks will take time and bring significant cost for the Society in the year but are necessary to progress.

With no summer show season, the Society turned to a leading ‘Virtual’ show online and what a success it proved to be. Close on 750 animals entered over an eight-week period. It became compulsive weekly viewing, and it was great to see so many working Simmental cattle in extended geographies around the UK. My congratulations to everyone who entered and what a fantastic breed promotion, and a great way to keep members together and talking Simmentals in tough times. The ‘Virtual’ show further evidenced the power of online marketing and the domestic and international reach it has. In the year we also launched the Simmental Market website, a simple but professional vehicle to bring buyers and sellers together and to promote pedigree Simmental cattle for sale on behalf of members. Again, it’s proven to be popular and effective and used by buyers to do their ‘research and homework’ prior to the sales. Increasing Simmental visibility and awareness has been a key goal in the year, and we’ve worked hard at building posts and profile on Facebook with commercially aimed messages on, at times, a daily basis. Websites, social media, and podcasts are such a cost-effective way to promote the breed to worldwide audiences and this will continue to be a principle means by which we extend the promotion of the breed.

In my early months as President, it’s great to see what is a steady stream of new members joining the Society and from around the country. A warm welcome is extended to all and we wish you a long and successful future breeding Simmental cattle. With no little sadness I also have to reflect on those members who have passed in the year, many following distinguished involvement with the breed, and our thoughts and condolences are extended to the respective families.

In closing can I say that I hope you enjoy this year’s Review. It’s a little different from previous issues with a number of breed promotional features from around the UK; a world perspective looking at the popularity of the breed in other countries and continents; and a technical section analysing aspects of breed performance and offering food for thought for the future. Adding in reflections on the performance at sales in 2020 it’s an issue packed with all things Simmental and showing plenty of activity in the year. Lastly, I hope that you enjoy the pictorial reflection of 50 years of British Simmental. It serves as a snapshot of the breed highlighting its many achievements and landmark moments and touching on just some of the individuals who have created such a rich breed history.

From the first importation of 254 Simmentals to Lowestoft in 1970, to the breed’s position today as one of the UK’s leading beef breeds, it’s been an incredible journey. It’s time to celebrate and reflect on the first fifty years, as we now move on and open up a new golden chapter for this wonderful British Simmental breed.

With kind regards Stewart Stronach