The British Simmental Review 2022

Phil & James Turner
Over half a century ago the Turners farmed a
miscellany of native bred sucklers. Charolais
was the first Continental breed to be introduced
to Stone Acton, before swapping for the
fast-emerging Simmental in the late ‘70s.
“Temperament and ease of calving led us to source
a pedigree Simmental bull and the breed has stood
the test of time here for going on 45 years,” says
Phil.
“We bought a few in calf cows and went on to
steadily grow the pedigree herd. We did the county
show circuit and sold bulls and replacement
heifers, however by the late 80’s we realised
it was becoming too time consuming, so we
decided to rack back and concentrate on running
a commercial spring calving herd producing store
cattle along with replacement heifers for sale.
Calves continue to be either sold weaned at eight
months averaging 365kgs or overwintered on
forage diets and sold as yearlings at an average
425kgs.”
“Wroxall genetics have remained at the heart of
the herd with bulls bought privately and selected
for polled bloodlines, with EBVs for ease of calving
used as a guideline,” James explains. “Wroxall
Hannibal threw some very shapely calves, however
it was Wroxall Accumulator and Wroxall Hannibal
who left the best bloodlines. They not only had
FARM FACTS
The Turner
family: James,
his father Phil
and uncle,
Simon
Stone Acton
Farm, Church
Stretton,
Shropshire
• 320 acres LFA grassland
inc Mid-Tier
• 20 acres woodland
• 100 Simmental
and Hereford cross
Simmental breeding
females
• 5 pedigree Simmental
heifers
• 24 months age at first
calving
• 96% scan
• 97% calves reared inc
twins
• 10 to 14 crops of calves
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