The Irish Simmental Cattle Society is gearing up for what will be a very hectic schedule of events over the next three months.

First up is the Dovea Genetics sponsored National Calf Finals which will take place in Strokestown on Saturday 14 September.

There are five national titles up for grabs here in conjunction with the regular Simmental classes.

These classes are also very keenly contested and Simmental breeders look forward to seeing who reaches the summit in Strokestown.

This year the Northern Irish Simmental Club are taking in Strokestown as part of their club tour and breeders will look forward to meeting them on the day.

Lat year's female champion at the premier sale in Roscommon was Princess Jacs V ET which sold for €10,500

Next up it’s the Simmental X Breeding Heifer Sales at Ballymote and Gort. The Ballymote sale, which is organised by the Western Simmental Club, is the longest running heifer sale in Ireland and year -on-year delivers quality breeding heifers to the market.

This year’s sale will take place in Ballymote on Saturday 5 October with over 200 in-calf, maiden and weanling heifers on offer. Four days later its on to Gort for the South Western Club Simmental X Heifer Sales and, similar to Ballymote, this sale in Gort has established itself as a stronghold for breeding heifers.

A first prize winner is selected at last year's finals in Strokestown.

Wednesday evening 9 October will see over 200 heifers for sale in Gort.

The highlight of the Simmental season will as always be the Premier Sale in Roscommon on Saturday 26 October.

This sale has over the years developed into the venue to source the best in the breed and the 2024 sale promises not to disappoint with a number of national champions from the recent National Show at Tullamore making their way to Roscommon.

The sale has in the past seen a large number of animals exported to the UK.

Finishing the year will be the National Simmental X Heifer Finals which will take place in conjunction with the Winter Fair in Carrick-on-Shannon in late November.

There will be four national titles for decision at this show and sale, an event that is going from strength to strength with huge numbers expected to enter for the 2024 sale.

All exhibitors and potential customers can contact the society at any time for updates and advice on upcoming sales.