Galloway Cattle Society Castle Douglas 2023 Spring Show and Sale

The 34 year old world record price for a Galloway was smashed at the 2023 Galloway Spring Show and Sale held in Castle Douglas. A call of 26000gns was made for the much fancied bull Blackcraig Dyker, from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock.

This 17 month old, by the homebred bull Blackcraig Acrobat and out of Blackcraig Bertha X633, stood senior champion and reserve overall male at the previous day’s show. The bull had previously been greatly admired at the 2022 summer shows, receiving 1st prize calf award at Dumfries Show 2022.

Blackcraig Triumph
Blackcraig Dyker went home with new Galloway Society member Glenrath Farms, Langhaugh, Kirkton Manor, Peebles for their 29 head herd, which was recently purchased from Joe Cockburn.

Purchaser Ian Campbell explained his interest in the breed after the sale:
“I recently acquired a keen and energetic stockman in Joe Cockburn who sees great opportunities for the Galloway breed. Working on a high hill, Galloways suit our farm and the breed fits perfectly with our journey to net zero. The future for British beef has got to be about getting good beef from grass, and the Galloway breed will do that. This particular bull caught our eye last summer, and I’m sure he’ll do well for us.”

The holder of the previous record price at 22000gns, George Wilson, was in attendance at the sale where he saw his 34 year record fall. He commented: 
“It’s been nice to hold the record for so long, but it was always going to be broken some day, and I’m pleased it was Blackcraig that broke it.”

The Blackcraig team also triumphed in the female section, scooping female champion, reserve champion and female top price. Their stylish champion - Blackcraig Diana C1164 - is a September 2020 Barlaes Rivellino daughter, a bull purchased in a private deal after seeing him at Barlaes. Diana is the first  to be sold by Rivellino and was sold in-calf to Blackcraig Claymore. She went home with the female judge – Sarah Wareham for 5000gns. 

The reserve female Blackcraig Dora May C110 also made 5000gns. She is by the homebred bull Blackcraig Acobat and again sold in-calf to Blackcraig Claymore. This 28 month old travelled over the water to Islay with James Porter, West Carrabus.  James also took home  the female top price   Blackcraig Mose Rose C1253 for 7500gns, this 19 month old is  by  Nucamp of Balgray and out of Blackcraig Moss Rose who is by Blackcraig Sid (ET), a two times Highland show champion. These three animals received the prestigious silver salver - The Dr William Heugan Memorial Trophy for the best group of three females.  The Finlays also sold Blackcraig Moss Rose C1203, a Blackcraig Volume daughter and out of Blackcraig Moss Rose V495 - a Blackcraig Rasputin daughter, she sold to J Common, Crossdykes, Lockerbie  and young Innes for 3700gns.  Another Blackcraig Volume daughter – Blackcraig Blondchen C1214, this October 2020 born, in calf to Blackcraig Claymore sold to return purchaser  Mr J Cowie, Polston Farm, The Mill, Polston, Invercrynoch   for 2600gns.

The success of the Blackcraig team follows hot on the heels of securing the Galloway heifer record price, 12500gns, at the 2021 sale, making them double record holders for the Galloway breed. John Finlay commented: 
“It was quite something to see Blackcraig Dyker hit that price, and for the heifers to perform so well too topped off a fantastic day for us. Holding both the bull and heifer records is a testament to the time and effort invested in our breeding line over so many years, and my father would have been proud to see his hard work coming to fruition.

“As a family we are so proud to be playing our part in contributing to the future of the Galloway breed. It’s great to see that the work the Society is doing to grow demand for the Galloway breed is paying off, and it’s fantastic to see so many new breeders coming on board.

“It’s really uplifting to see so many really good, enthusiastic young stockmen showing interest in the breed and keen to help during the show and sale. It certainly bodes well for the future of the Galloway breed.”

Bulls 
There was a large number of Galloway bulls up for sale, and 27 found new homes, up from 19 the previous year. Joe Cockburn sold the last of his Galloway bulls, including the previous day’s Male Champion. Formally of Troloss, and now Grimmet Cottage, Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Quattro of Trolosse, a 23 month old Troloss Nimrod son and out of Barlaes Katie, sold for 20000gns in a two-way partnership between Society Chairman Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow and Stewart McIntosh, Borthwickshiels Farm, Robertson, Hawick.

Joe’s other bull Quartz of Trolosse, another March 2021 born, Troloss Nimrod son, sold for 2800gns to Messrs Warden, Skelfhill, Hawick.

RA McClymont  & Son, Kirkstead, was also in the money receiving 11000gns for the 16 month old Kirkstead Fugitive, by the 7000gns Kirkstead Taurus and out of Kirkstead Tess C17. He received first prize and reserve senior champion and is off home with new members, Richard Nixon and Eilidh MacPherson, Marbrack, Carsphairn. 

New consigners, Richard and Eilidh from  Marbrack,  then sold their first bull, Aoineart of Marbrack, another Kirkstead Taurus son and out of Kirkstead Nerys Ingrid who was bought in March 21 for 2100gns.  He sold to R MacKenzie, Dava Farm, Grantown on Spey for 5000gns.

The 2nd placed bull, Barquhill Buster  from Michael McCornick, Barquhill, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, a Maximillan of Balgray son and out of Barquhill Brownie, a Barquhill Dominator daughter, sold to Klondyke Farms Ltd, Shancastle Farm, Moniaive, Dumfries for 6500gns.  Klondyke also purchased, Blackcraig Drover from the Finlay Family , this Xpletive of Nether Cleugh son and out of the well-known Moss Rose family sold for 4000gns

The Ben Lomond team, John, Margaret and son Duncan, Blairvockie, Rowardennan, Glasgow, sold the next two top price bulls, Ben Lomond Firework  and Ben Lomond Firestorm, both by the 4000gns  Zonda of Kilnstown and out of Carslae Eddie daughters they sold for 5800gns and 5200gns to  J Robertson, Becks Farm, Langholm and  Bainbridge Farms, Donkinrigg, Cambo, Northumberland respectively.

New member and first time consigner at Wallets Marts - James Campbell, Kypehill Farm, Sandford, Strathaven, Lanarkshire sold Kypehill Yellowstone for 5000gns, this Blackcraig Ynot son  and out of Foxglove Zap of Nether Cleugh  - a heifer James purchased at the 2020 Society sale in Carlisle  for 1550gns sold to Emblehope Estate, Emblehope Farm, Hexham.

  Steadman of Hottbank, a 22 month old, is the first son to be sold by 10000gns Kirkstead Yeoman  he is from another new consigner, JR F Pattinson & Son Hotbank, Bardonmill and sold for 3800gns to  James Medland, Williamston Hall, Tavistock.

Heifers

Continuing the success from last year, Jimmy Wallace from the firm of William Wallace & Sons, Fingland, Dalry, Castle Douglas sold three Kirkstead Vindicator daughters - Lady Polka 18th of Fingland sold to S Mckie, Finniness, Balmaghie for 2000gns and Urma 24th of Fingland and Molly 208th of Fingland,  in-calf to Fingland’s new junior stock bull, Barquhill Hector sold to repeat purchaser Helen Ryman, North Kildarroch, Whauphill for 1900gns and 1800gns respectively.

Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas sold Barlaes Katie 102nd, this 22 month old is by Troloss Magnum daughter to James McCurdy, 230 Carnlough Road, Broughshane, Northern Ireland for 1900gns. 

Young member Ross Watret, Muirfield, Hightae, Dumfries purchased the last pedigree heifer in the ring from Society Vice Chairman Mr Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh, Castle Douglas, this September 2021 born Blackcraig Ynot daughter and out of Countess Winnie of Nether Cleugh, who is a Blackcraig Tom Tom daughter, sold for 1800gns and is destined for the summer show season. 

The show judges, Sarah and Jason Wareham, purchased the champion unled heifer from RA McClymont and Sons, Kirkstead  Amber E13, this Troloss Impeccable daughter and out of Kirkstead Amber V11 a Braveheart of Gall-way daughter sold for 1500gns. The judging duo also secured the champion unled pair, Kirkstead Nancy E26 and Kirkstead Quirk E28, for 1300gns and 1900gns, both in-calf to Blaze of Kilnstown.   Kirkstead also sold Kirkstead Amber E24, this Kirkstead Vindicator daughter, in calf to Blaze of Kilnstown sold to Mr M McCornick, Barquhill, Newton Stewart for 2300gns. 

A Buyer’s Market                   
Galloway Cattle Society Breed Secretary Dorothy Goldie said the sale was a buyer’s market, with more than 100 Galloways entered, the highest number of sale entries for at least a decade. She commented:

“It’s great to see the record being broken and top prices being achieved by the Galloway breed. New members are recognising the quality traits in our top bulls, and are willing to pay what it takes to secure them.

“The Blackcraig team are great supporters of the Galloway breed and are clearly at the top of their game. To simultaneously hold the record price for both bull and heifer is a remarkable achievement. Now in their third generation of breeding Galloways, they have played an important role in developing the breed into what it is today, and all their hard work and stockmanship has paid off.

“While it was a buyer’s market, the number of new buyers, younger buyers and returning new members was marked, and seeing so many returning new members in particular bodes well for the future of the Galloway.  

“A decade ago the Galloway was probably considered quite an old fashioned breed. Having seen the enthusiasm and energy from so many young stockmen at the sale shows that the Galloway is now clearly perceived as a breed that’s ideal for the farming of tomorrow.”

 Averages
27 bulls   (8 more sold)  £5238.33     
20 heifers in calf or ran with bull £2205   
15 bulling heifers  £2089.50