THE next generation of Galloway breeders put on a strong showing at the Galloway Cattle Society’s spring sale.
It was held at Wallet’s Mart, Castle Douglas with strong prices for sought after cattle. Six animals reached over five figures and averages increased on the year for bulls and heifers in calf.
Three bulls sold to 13000gns: Barquhill Thor from the McCornick Family, Barquhill, Wigtown; Glenrath Rocky from Glenrath Farms, Langhaugh, Peebles; and Alcaraz of Fingland from Dalry based, Jimmy Wallace.
Barquhill Thor, who stood second in his class the previous day, is the first son of Bonanza of Nether Cleugh to be sold – a bull bought privately from society’s chairman Peter Hunter Blair. This 29-month-old sold to Eskdalemuir Forestry Ltd, Hart Manor, Langholm for their 100 cow herd.
And Eskdalemuir Forestry Ltd enjoyed success in the show ring, receiving reserve overall male champion with March 2022 born Clerkhill Samson.
Glenrath Rocky is a March 2022 born Troloss Nimrod son, who was purchased with his dam Diamond 1st of Troloss, a Blackcraig Dec daughter from Joe Cockburn, stockman at Grimmet. This second placed bull made the short journey to Dalry, heading home with Jimmy Wallace to Fingland. Jimmy balanced the books by selling Alcarax of Fingland, 22-months-old, to Exmoor Forest Farms, Somerset.
Male champion Kirkstead Gattuso from Yarrow based Alan McClymont and sons, Sam and Oliver, received the next top price of 12,000gns. He sold to society vice chairman, Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry.
Young breeder James Campbell, of Kypehill, Strathaven, had his best sale to date, realising 10,000gns for his 22-month-old bull Kypehill Dutton, who was purchased in 2020 for 1550gns. Dutton who was successfully shown in 2023, receiving first place at all three shows, was another purchase for Robert McTurk, Barlaes.
In the heifers, the top female price and female champion Blackcraig Blondchen D1308 – above – from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, of Blackcraig, Corsock sold for 10,000gns. She was purchased by Willie Maclean, Oban.
Blackcraig then sold two heifers for 3800gns and 2500gns – Blackcraig Noreen D1321, 29-months-old, sold to the 3Gs, John and James Graham, Stirling and Dennis Gall, Lockerbie. Blackcraig Rose D1299 sold to David and Lynn Watret, Muirfield, Hightae.
Next top price was 4000gns which was achieved for the reserve champion Diamond Q019 of Trolosse exhibited by Glenrath Farms Ltd and bred by Joe Cockburn. This April 2021 born sold to society junior vice chair Carolyn Logan and husband Dexter, from Stirling. She is destined for the summer show circuit and sold in calf to Trolosse Olympian.
Commenting on the sale, Galloway Cattle Society chairman Peter Hunter Blair said: “Confidence in the breed was highlighted by breeders being prepared to pay good prices throughout the sale.”
Breed secretary Dorothy Goldie added: “It was a steady sale with a lot of interest in the sought after cattle, but the impact of the current export restrictions is clearly being felt. The Galloway spring show and sale normally attracts regular buyers from Ireland and Germany. While the interest from these breeders is still there, it’s frustrating that we can’t convert that interest to sales this year.
“That the sales and clearance was strong despite the export restrictions is a testament to steadily growing interest in the Galloway breed, and it’s fantastic to see the next generation of Galloway breeders doing so well.”
