Michael Durno, Auchorachan, elected as the 29th president of the British Simmental Cattle Society
Michael Durno, who runs the noted Auchorachan pedigree Simmental herd at Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, has been elected President of the British Simmental Cattle Society (BSCS) following the Society's Annual General Meeting, held recently at Stirling during the October Bull Sales.
Michael, who has served on the Society's Council since 2019, takes over from Chris Martindale, Oswestry, Shropshire, who has completed his two-year term of office. During his time on Council, Michael has served as Chairman of Shows and Sales North and, more recently, as Vice President. He becomes the 29th President of the Society and the twelfth from Scotland.
Farming alongside his wife Morag, father Leslie and full-time staff member Peter Tinney, Michael runs a diversified beef and sheep enterprise at Auchorachan, a Crown Estate farm which extends to 2800 acres. This includes 450 acres of grass and the rest heathery hill, grazed by the 550-ewe Blackface flock. The cattle herd comprises 90 pedigree Simmentals, smaller pedigree herds of Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus, together with 55 commercial suckler cows, predominantly Simmental crosses.
The Auchorachan pedigree Simmental herd was established in 2002, following many years of the family successfully using Simmental bulls to breed replacement females. The foundation stock comprised four heifers purchased from the Ravensworth dispersal, followed by two from Hector McCaskill's Woodhall herd, one from Delfur and Greenlea Hilly from a local on-farm dispersal.
These original purchases established the five principal breeding families found in the herd today, with the Hilly family now the most numerous.
The Ravensworth Madie family, meanwhile, has arguably been the most successful at breeding bulls, producing the herd's leading sale price to date, the 20,000gns Auchorachan Wizard.
A regular consigner at Stirling and Aberdeen pedigree sales, Auchorachan has enjoyed considerable success in the sale ring, consistently selling bulls for five-figure sums and into the teens of thousands.
Michael takes on the Presidency at a particularly positive time for the Simmental breed, which he believes is presently "riding the crest of a wave".
"It's a truly great honour to be elected President of the British Simmental Cattle Society, and a privilege to come into the position when the breed is doing so well," he said.
"There has been sustained demand for Simmental bulls and females at the point of sale over a number of years now, resulting in fantastic clearance rates and record all-breeds averages.
"This year’s February Sale at Stirling really stands out, with 106 bulls selling to average £12,294 and 67 bulls making 10,000gns and over. Those are just incredible figures.
"In 2026, the breed has recorded the highest averages at all three Stirling Sales, as well as selling the most bulls, which is absolutely tremendous.
"Pedigree registrations are also up for the third time in the last four years, and Society membership is increasing too. Across the UK, the breed is in a very healthy position, and we have to work hard to maintain that momentum."
Looking ahead to his term of office, Michael is keen to build on the progress made by breeders and increase the commercial market share of the breed.
"Members need to be congratulated on the modernisation of the breed over the last 20 years. My main hope during my term in office is that we can grow our market share, so that the increasing number of top-quality bulls members are now producing can continue to find a good demand in the sale ring.
"The breed also has a great profile in the show ring, and winning interbreed championships at major and local shows across the UK is fantastic. However, it is the sale rings around the country that are driving the popularity of the Simmental breed.
"For commercial producers, the weight for age and carcase quality of Simmental-cross males, alongside the unrivalled flexibility, efficiency and maternal traits of the females, are what make the breed so attractive.
" If you're producing bull beef or bullocks, you get excellent performance and growth, but the real standout feature is the maternal female. Simmental-bred cows are unrivalled as suckler cows, and that's a major reason why commercial producers are increasingly keying in on the breed."
Another priority for Michael will be to encourage the involvement and activity from younger members and provide more opportunities for them to engage with the breed.
"Hopefully, the type of events we’ll aim to put on will get more young people hooked on the breed, while also providing opportunities for youngsters from all corners of the UK to meet, share experiences and form friendships.
"The Backmuir Beef Experience planned for 3rd July next year will be just one event where we hope to have a big Simmental Young Member involvement."
Also elected at the Society's AGM was John Moore, who runs the Omorga pedigree herd at Beragh, Omagh, County Tyrone, and who takes up the position of Vice President of the British Simmental Cattle Society.
In addition to John Moore, other new members to the British Simmental Cattle Society’ Council, whose elections were also announced at the AGM included: Anthony Davies, Wales Group; Jim Dyet, Scotland Group; Ryan Gilmour, Northern Ireland Group; and Hannah Wood, National Group. Rob Evans, National Group; Richard Pettit, Scotland Group; and Richard Rodgers, Northern Ireland Group, were re-elected to serve a further term.