The Canadian Simmental cattle society hosted their national finals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto this weekend. Tasked with judging this prestigious competition was Irish Simmental breeder and judge Jennie Aherne. Her judging skills proved on point with her overall breed champion a two-year-old cow which also placed at the show the previous two years.

Securing the overall champion was the February 2017-born first calver Blackriver Ivanka 95E. Brought out by Paul and Jennifer Mastine of Mast R ranch, they made their nine-hour journey worthwhile by claiming the senior female, overall female and overall championship titles.

Overall Simmental champion Blackriver Ivanka 95E

This was the first year an overall breed championship was awarded, and this was sponsored by the Irish Simmental Cattle Society which presented a custom glass vase to the champion exhibitors.

Ivanka 95E was originally bred by Dan and Janet Monroe, but purchased by the Mastine’s following her calf championship win at the show two years ago. This win was followed by a red rosette and reserve junior heifer win at last year’s show.

Shown alongside her January-born heifer calf, Ivanka 95E first calved at 23 months and is back to calf again in January. Sired by JF Back in Black, she weighed 750kgs on show day.

This was a particularly memorable show for the Mastine husband and wife with this being their first overall national champion win and also the 30th anniversary of the herd exhibiting at the show.

Male and reserve overall champion RPCC Red Geronimo 201G

Reserve

Taking the male and reserve overall championship was the January 2019-born bull RPCC Red Geronimo 201G. Thick set throughout, the near all-red bull calf weighed a healthy 600kgs on show day. Bred and exhibited by River Point Cattle Company, he is sired by MR Hoc Broker, and was sold the day before the sale.