Northern Ireland’s John Moore judges the 2026 Danish Simmental National Show

Despite it being a ‘desperately wet day’, 25 exhibitors put forward a strong show of 61 Simmentals in front of John Moore who was very impressed with the quality of the cattle.

Commenting, Mr Moore said: “First and foremost it was a terrific honour to be asked to judge the Danish Simmental National Show, and I’d congratulate the breeders for the Simmental cattle presented. I thought that the fleshing and weight for age was excellent, and with the majority of the cattle very correct on their feet and legs.

“In comparing I’d say the Danish Simmentals are a bit lighter boned than the cattle in the UK and Ireland, but breeders are certainly focusing on performance and growth rate.”

There was an impressive show of females with a number of very good heifers, young cows, and a ‘super class’ of five senior cows. In a tremendous day for the breeder Eric Olsen, his three Senior cows took the top three places, won the pairs, and the group of three. His ten-year-old cow Pilegard Mette got the Simmental Championship nod from John Moore and went on to win the Interbreed Female Champion on the Saturday against good opposition.

Featuring some UK breeding Pilegard Mette, by Lykke Iceman and out of a Dirnanean Jacob cow, weighed over 1200 kgs at the Show. The judge was also ‘particularly impressed’ with the young cow Damgardens Uma owned by Hejvang Simmental. By a Czech bull called Gaspar, and out of an Auroch Deuter cow, Damgardens Uma weighed over 1000kg, with a calf at foot, despite being not three until August.

From a good show of young bulls, the Male Champion came in the shape of Lykke Vagabond from Jesper Jensen. This November 2024 born bull is by a homozygous polled German bull, Gin PP, and is out of a cow sired by the aforementioned Lykke Iceman.

Of his Male Champion the judge said: “Lykke Vagabond had tremendous width, fleshing, and hind quarters, and moved well with impressive weight for age.”

On the following day, Lykke Vagabond went on to be the Reserve Interbreed Male Champion.

Speaking generally of the judging and the trip, John Moore said: “We had a very enjoyable visit to Denmark with tremendous hospitality shown to us by the Danish Simmental Society. Special mention must go to the Society Chairman Stefan Vansgaard Nielson, and my ring steward Jeppe Nielsen who made my job much easier with his knowledge of the English language, and his ability to interpret my own particular version of it! A highlight was being invited to the Society function on the evening of the judging, and which was a great social occasion. Beyond Landsskuett 2026, we were taken round a good number of pedigree herds who were not participating at the show and where we were again royally treated with the best of Danish food, conversation, and whilst viewing more quality Simmental cattle.”

Of John Moore judging the Danish Simmental National Show, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “John is a hugely capable and experienced judge having carried out this role at many of the major shows and sales in the UK. As such he would be a fantastic ambassador for Northern Ireland and British Simmental in Denmark, and we warmly congratulate him on judging at this premier European show.”