A FARMER from Dalry has been appointed as the new chairman of the Galloway Cattle Society, carrying on a long family tradition.
Peter Hunter Blair was formally selected at the organisation’s recent AGM and follows in the footsteps of his father, Frank, and uncle, Arthur Duncan, both previous chairs.
A prominent figure in the Galloway breeding community, Peter farms at Nether Cleugh with wife Nancy and their three children, Natasha, Duncan and Andrew. As well as a small herd of pure Galloway cows, they tend a flock of cross ewes and Andrew’s prizewinning flock of Ryeland ewes.
Discussing the family’s Galloway journey, Peter said: “To begin with, we ran a full herd of traditional dun Galloways, but there was little demand for the bulls. We made the change to black Galloways in the 1990s. We had little choice but to make the change if we wanted to keep moving forward.”
And it paid off as their first black bull sold for 5300 gns.
Another notable sale was heifer Foxglove Blue of Nether Cleugh, who was crowned female champion at the 2022 spring show at Castle Douglas and was sold for 7000 gns.
The Hunter Blairs’ other accomplishments in the show ring include four female championships, several senior and junior male titles, champion at the Galloway National Show and the Royal Highland Show.
Meanwhile, the society’s new junior vice chairperson is Carolyn Logan, formerly of Romesbeoch Farm, Shawhead. She now lives in Stirling with her husband and family.
Of her new position, Carolyn said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank the board of trustees for giving me the chance to take on the role. I feel the breed is in safe hands for the future with a lot of able young stocksmen and women becoming involved.”
