The Irish Simmental Cattle Society will host a Premier Show and Sale next weekend.

The sale at Roscommon Mart on Sunday, March 28 will feature 37 bulls and 24 heifers.

All animals at the sale will have been export tested and will be eligible for export to Northern Ireland.

The society can arrange transport home for animals purchased, if buyers contact the society/mart office.

Prospective purchasers from Northern Ireland must register on the TRACES system.

Registering on TRACES will allow animals to be exported on sale day.

Registering is straight forward by contacting the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Regional Offices.

Purchasers are advised to register as a 'Bovine Establishment & Importer'.

Key attributes of Simmental breed

Maternal abilities – replacement heifers/cows must have enough milk to rear their calves to full potential and Simmental is the breed whose background guarantees milk supply;
Growth rate – Simmental being a continental breed that is very strong on growth rate ensures that offspring will mature early, well ahead of any 30-month deadlines;
Ease of calving – Simmental has the reputation as being a very easy calving continental breed, an attribute that is now more important than ever due to the increased number of part-time farmers involved in suckling;
Docility – having cattle that are easily handled and not excitable, adds to improved herd performance;
Muscularity – today’s Simmental bull is well muscled. This is evident by the increase in demand for Simmental weanling bull calves for finishing.

Beef farmers who are purchasing quality Simmental animals are getting well rewarded.

The ability of Simmental to convert feed to liveweight means Simmental bulls are returning profits.

Simmental X heifers are commanding premium prices at marts with heifers for breeding making between €5.50 and €6.00/kg and up to €7.00/kg in places.

Some examples from Cootehill recently include:

11-month-old heifer: 460kg selling at €3,700;
12-month-old heifer: 425kg selling for €3,050;
11-month-old-heifer: 400kg selling for €2,750;
12-month-old heifer: 390kg selling for €2,800.

The Irish Simmental Cattle Society has said that farmers specialising in breeding and selling high end replacement heifers are getting well rewarded.

Wesley Browne in Co. Monaghan is one example of a farmer who is achieving top returns by using Simmental genetics.

Last year the society visited Browne's farm.

One of the main attractions during the visit to the farm were young bulls (under U16 months) which were being slaughtered the following week.

These Simmental X bulls were showing good fat cover and shape for 15-months-old.

Below are the returns from young bulls slaughtered in May 2025.

Peadar Glennon from the Irish Simmental Cattle Society acknowledged that the lift in beef prices over the past 14 months has stabilised the suckler sector.

He added that the current downward pressure is concerning but the hope is that this will be bottom out shortly.

"While the trend towards cows with extreme shape, crossing with extreme muscle bulls is rewarding farmers who are set up for this labour intensity, indications are that farmers are switching to a more functional cow that has the ability to calf and that can rear that calf," Glennon said.

"When cull cows are factored in, and the cost of replacements deducted, then you have the true return." 

Due to the fact that most suckler farmers are part time, a functional cow is a must and a good cow can be crossed with any continental bull safely.

The fact that cows calving without trouble return to heat quicker must also be factored in.  

The modern Simmental bulls is easy calving and crosses well with all cow types.

Calves are quick to their feet and suck which is a necessity in the fight against disease as a calf that is up and moving is less prone to infections.

The Premier Show and Sale will take place at Roscommon Mart on Sunday, March 28 with the show at 9:30a.m and the sale at 12 noon.

If you want to know more about the sale or the Simmental breed, you can contact the Irish Simmental Cattle Society.

Click here for contact details.