2026 On Farm Herd Competition

Galloway Cattle Society On-Farm Herd of the Year Competition Results

The Galloway Cattle Society of Great Britain & Ireland is delighted to announce the results of the On-Farm Herd of the Year Competition, generously sponsored by Davidson Animal Feeds Ltd and JA McClelland & Sons Ltd.

This year’s competition brought together Galloway herds from across Scotland, England and Ireland, celebrating the quality, consistency and versatility of the breed and recognising the dedication of the breeders who continue to develop and promote Galloway cattle.

Judged on-farm, the competition provides a valuable opportunity to see Galloways thriving in their natural environment and across a tremendous variety of landscapes, management systems and herd sizes.

The Society extends its congratulations to all of this year’s winners and its sincere thanks to every member who entered, welcomed our judges onto their farms and supported the competition.

 

Scotland and Northern England

Judge: David Cornthwaite

David Cornthwaite, accompanied by his wife Rosemarie, traveled many miles to visit 17 herds, with entries increasing from the previous year.

Small Herds – 1 to 15 Cows

Herd

1st – D & C Logan – Rogan Herd
Greenhead Farm, Alva, Stirlingshire

2nd – D & L Watret – Criffelview Herd
Muirfield, Lockerbie, Dumfries

3rd – Chris Fawcett – Kingsdale Herd
Nether Cottage, Ireby Hall, Carnforth

Best Cow & Calf

1st – D & L Watret – Criffelview Herd

2nd – Chris Fawcett – Kingsdale Herd

3rd – S McKillop – Sallachry Herd
13 Forestry Cottage, Dalmally

Best Bull

1st – T E Stephenson – Bruntsheildhaugh Herd
Bruntsheildhaugh, Steel, Hexham
Highwayman of Over Barskeoch

2nd – M McCart – Glenquicken Herd
Glenquicken, Creetown, Newton Stewart
Troloss Matador

3rd – J Campbell – Kypehill Herd
Kypehill Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire
Newton Cracker

Medium Herds – 16 to 32 Cows

Herd

1st – Glenrath Farms – Glenrath
Grimmet, Dalmellington, Ayrshire

2nd – Ally Warden – Skelfhill
Skelfhill, Hawick

3rd – Andrew Tullie – Bowanhill
Whitchester, Hawick

Best Cow & Calf

1st – Glenrath Farms – Glenrath

2nd – Ally Warden – Skelfhill

3rd – Andrew Tullie – Bowanhill

Best Bull

1st – Glenrath Farms – Glenrath
Black Craig Dyker

2nd – Ally Warden – Skelfhill
Skelfhill Harrison

3rd – Andrew Tullie – Bowanhill
Thor of Glenrath

Large Herds – 33 Cows and Above

Herd

1st – Donald Simpson – Rossie
Rossie, Forgardenny, Perth

2nd – Kilnstown Farms – Kilnstown
Kilnstown Farm, Bewcastle, Carlisle

3rd – Emblehope Estates – Emblehope
Emblehope, Tarset, Hexham

Best Cow & Calf

1st – Kilnstown Farms – Kilnstown

2nd – John MacPherson – Balliemeanoch
Balliemeanoch, Dalmally, Argyll

3rd – Emblehope Estates – Emblehope

Best Bull

1st – Kilnstown Farms – Kilnstown
J Porter of Kilnstown

2nd – Hedgeley Farms – Beanley Herd
Hedgeley Hall, Powburn, Alnwick
Blackcraig Amyerman

3rd – Donald Simpson – Rossie
Klondyke Hermes

Overall Champion Herds

Following the judging of the Small, Medium and Large Herd sections, David selected his Overall Champion Herds.

1st – Glenrath Farms – Glenrath

2nd – Ally Warden – Skelfhill

3rd – D & C Logan – Rogan Herd

Congratulations to Glenrath Farms – Overall Champion Herd

A tremendous achievement in a strong competition and fitting recognition of the quality and consistency of the Glenrath herd.

Congratulations also go to Ally Warden of Skelfhill and D & C Logan of Rogan on securing second and third places respectively.

Judge’s Report – David Cornthwaite

“I would like to thank the Galloway Cattle Society for asking me to judge the Herd Competition. It was an amazing opportunity, one which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I would like to thank all those who entered.

“My wife, Rosemarie, and I travelled many miles and visited 17 herds in total. I wish I could have awarded everyone a prize.

“It was so interesting to see the diverse and truly fantastic landscapes and farming systems that the Galloways were thriving on. We judged in blistering heat and pouring rain, and sometimes both on the same day.

“My aim when judging was to look for uniformity in conformation. I wanted to see a functional cow that was utilising the system on that farm, and that the younger generation of cattle entering the herd were improving it.

“I have absolutely no doubt, having reflected on the herds that I visited, that the Galloway as a breed is in excellent hands.

“Again, I would like to thank all those who gave up their time to show me their stock and who fed and watered us along the way.

“I would encourage herds to enter the competition to promote themselves and the Galloway breed. If you are a Galloway enthusiast and are ever privileged enough to be asked to judge this competition, I suggest you do so, as it is an amazing opportunity.”

The Society would like to thank David and Rosemarie for the considerable time and commitment involved in travelling to visit and assess this year’s entries, and all 17 participating herds for their hospitality.

 

Ireland

Judge: Kirsten Elliot of Drumlegagh Salers

The Ireland section saw John & Joe Smyth of Upper Buckna, Broughshane, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, take the Large Herd title, while Brooke Huey, Armoy, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, secured 1st place in the Small Herd section.

John & Joe Smyth also claimed both individual honours, with Gypsy W24 of Upper Buckna named Best Cow and Patrol F12 of Upper Buckna selected as Best Bull.

Large Herd

1st – John & Joe Smyth – Upper Buckna
Broughshane, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Small Herd

1st – Brooke Huey - Armoy
Armoy, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim

Best Cow

1st – Gypsy W24 of Upper Buckna – John & Joe Smyth

Best Bull

1st – Patrol F12 of Upper Buckna – John & Joe Smyth

Commenting on her time judging the competition, Kirsten said:

“I just wanted to say what an honour it was to judge these herds; I was very impressed with the cattle. Thank you again for asking me to judge this impressive breed!”

The Society would like to thank Kirsten Elliot for giving her time to judge the Ireland competition and all the breeders who welcomed her onto their farms.

 

Rest of England

Judge: Ronald Cornelius, West Rose, St Breward, Bodmin, Cornwall

Ronald Cornelius traveled to the participating herds to assess the cattle in their home environments, judging both the Small and Large Herd sections.

Small Herds

Herd

1st – J & S Wareham – Warehams
Heathfield, East Sussex

2nd – Jeremy Perkins – Greenwood
Pakenham, Suffolk

3rd – Paula Jessop – Jessops

Moorlands Farm, Coleorton, Leicestershire

Cow & Calf

1st – Paula Jessop

2nd – Jeremy Perkins

3rd – J & S Wareham

Best Bull

1st – Jeremy Perkins
Bomber of Hindhope

2nd – Paula Jessop
Skelfhill George

3rd – J & S Wareham

Large Herds

Herd

1st – John Heard – Hughslade
Okehampton, Devon

2nd – Messrs NH & MJ Cole – Greenwell
Greenwe, Yelverton, Devon

Cow & Calf

1st – John Heard
Fowley Jetstream Moira

2nd – Messrs NH & MJ Cole

Best Bull

1st – John Heard
Huntly Hector

2nd – Messrs NH & MJ Cole

The Society extends its sincere thanks to Ronald Cornelius for giving his time to travel to the participating herds and undertake the judging, as well as to all the members who welcomed him onto their farms.

 

Celebrating Our Galloway Breeders

The On-Farm Herd of the Year Competition once again demonstrated what makes the Galloway such an enduring and versatile native breed. From small family herds to larger commercial enterprises, the cattle were seen thriving across a wide range of landscapes and farming systems throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

The Society would like to express its sincere thanks to Davidson Animal Feeds Ltd and JA McClelland & Sons Ltd for their generous sponsorship of the competition. Their support enables the Society to continue running the competition across the regions and to recognise the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm of Galloway breeders.

Our thanks also go to our judges David Cornthwaite, Kirsten Elliot and Ronald Cornelius, and to every breeder who opened their gates and took part.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and exhibitors, and thank you for continuing to showcase the quality and versatility of the Galloway breed.