The British Simmental Cattle Society has distributed over 1,500 straws of semen to dairy farmers across Northern Ireland from a high genetic merit Simmental bull, to demonstrate how Simmental genetics can maximise profits from the dairy herd.

In conjunction with Cogent Breeding Ltd, the first bull from which semen has been distributed through this initiative is the heterozygous polled bull, Fallhills Marvel 21 (P).

Carefully chosen for his figures and performance, Marvel is in the breed’s top 1% for calving ease, top 5% for gestation and top 10% for 200-, 400-, and 600-day weight.

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Following publication of the initiative through the Northern Ireland Simmental Breeders, Club and a Dale Farm Group publication, significant interest was immediately expressed.

Some 42 dairy farmers have now been allocated over 1,500 straws of the bull, distributed by Cogent.

In what is the first phase of the initiative, the semen has been heavily subsidised to the participating dairy farmers by the British Simmental Cattle Society.

Andrew Clark who farms at Tynan, Co Armagh, and who is a member of the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Council believes beef production to increase profit margins on dairy farms has become very important.

Lift in prices

"Where dairy farmers are using Simmental genetics we’re seeing the marketability of these calves, and a real lift in sale prices. Through giving this free semen we want dairy farmers to see and experience these Simmental advantages first hand.

"All we have asked in return is that those farmers who have taken up this offer, agree to feedback information on ease of calving, the growth and weight of the calves, and how, in due course, they go on to market. In what is the first phase of this initiative, we have really been delighted by the level of interest.”

It is understood work is already underway to identify a further Simmental bull to be offered through this initiative - as part of a second phase.

Benefits of Simmental genetics

A Northern Irish farmer who is seeing the benefits of using Simmental genetics in the dairy herd is Keith Nelson, who runs a mixed farm in Co Fermanagh alongside his family, where they milk 120 pedigree Fleckvieh and Holstein cows, a small suckler beef herd, and a bed and breakfast pig system.

For Keith, focusing on genetics is crucial to performance, both for milk production and the marketability of his beef calves.

Sexed semen is used for retaining replacements and a Simmental bull covers the rest. Through 2025, akin to general market trends, Keith welcomed noticeably higher prices for his beef calves sired by the Simmental bull, Aghalaan Norton, bred by fellow Fermanagh farmer, Gavin Aiken.

From averaging approximately £500 for calves sold anywhere between eight to 30 days old, Keith has seen prices from £830 to highs of £1,180, selling both privately and at market.

All-round benefits

This has continued into 2026, with Keith selling two four-week-old Simmental sired calves out of Fleckvieh dairy cows for £950 and £920 at Dungannon Farmers Mart, the two top prices at the sale of over 80 dropped calves.

Keith Nelson said: “In the past we’ve used British Blue genetics as well as Aberdeen Angus. However, we’ve found that the Simmental has outperformed on both a weight and price basis. We use a Simmental bull, which works well in our system, and we really see the all-round benefits in fertility, calving ease, growth, temperament, and in the marketing of the calves.

"I think this is a tremendous initiative to offer dairy farmers free semen from a high-end Simmental bull, especially with beef from the dairy herd being such an important profit point.”