Galloway Cattle Society Castle Douglas Spring Show and Sale Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February, 2024

Judges 

• Bulls  - Mr Scott McKinnon, Dumfries.  
• Females – Mr Andrew Waugh, Kilnstown Farm, Bewcastle, Carlisle      
• Shadow Judge: Mr Logan Murdoch Ross, Stirling   

The next generation of Galloway breeders put on a strong showing at the Galloway Cattle Society’s spring sale, held at Wallet’s Mart, Castle Douglas. Purchasers were selective, resulting in strong prices for sought after cattle, with 6 animals over 5 figures and averages increased on the year for bulls and heifers in calf.

Five Bulls Hit Five Figures
Three bulls sold to 13000gns. Barquhill Thor from the McCornick Family, Barquhill, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, Glenrath Rocky from new member Glenrath Farms, Langhaugh, Kirkton Manor, 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 is out of Barquhill Polly - a homebred bull out of a Barquhill Coca Cola daughter. He sold to Eskdalemuir Forestry Ltd,  Hart Manor, Langholm for their 100 cow herd. Eskdalemuir Forestry Ltd enjoyed success in the show ring, receiving reserve overall male champion with Clerkhill Samson. This March 2022 born, Outlook of Trolosse son and out of Clerkhill Jura was unsold. 

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 2nd placed bull made the short journey to Dalry, heading home with Jimmy Wallace, Fingland. Jimmy then balanced the books by selling Alcarax of Fingland, a Kirkstead Vindicator son and out of Urma 12th of Fingland, a Ulysses of Over Barskeoch daughter. This 22-month-old sold to Exmoor Forest Farms, Cornham Farm, Minehead, Somerset.

The Male Champion, Kirkstead Gattuso from Alan McClymont and sons, Sam and Oliver, Kirkstead, Yarrow, Selkirk received the next top price of 12,000gns. This Kirkstead Commander son and out of Kirkstead Nancy R3, a Kirkstead Vindicator daughter sold to Society’s vice chairman, Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas.    

The Next Generation Shines 
Young breeder, James Campbell, Kypehill, Strathaven, had his best sale to date, realising 10000gns for his 22 month old bull Kypehill Dutton, who is a Troloss Impeccable son and out of Foxglove Zap of Nether Cleugh who was purchased in 2020 for 1550gns. Dutton who was successfully shown in 2023, receiving 1st place at all three shows, was another purchase for Robert McTurk, Barlaes. 

Speaking after the sale, James Campbell said: 
“I’m on cloud nine. This is my second time in Castle Douglas and the third bull I’ve gone out with. Sales have gone from strength to strength and I’m absolutely thrilled to have hit 10000gns.

“Galloways really suit my farm. I bought my first Galloway cows in 2020 because I needed a compact beast that wasn’t going to burn up feed and straw. Galloways deliver exactly what I need. I might be the youngest breeder here, but I’ve been welcomed in and I honestly haven’t had a disappointing day yet.”

Celebrating the potential of the next generation was evident throughout the show and sale, with the Society appointing its first ever Shadow Judge - Logan Ross.

Logan, who works for the Dick family at Mains of Throsk, is an active member of SSS Young Farmers with a deep-seated passion for Galloways, cultivated through his experiences at Romesbeoch and Greenhead Farm. Commenting on his judging experience, Logan said: 
“It was very interesting and it was reassuring that I agreed a lot with both of the more experienced judges and that I shared their eye. Having the opportunity to be shadow judge has given me confidence if I’m ever asked to judge a show or sale again.”

Heifers 
Top female price and female champion Blackcraig Blondchen D1308 from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock sold for 10000gns. This Barlaes Rivellino daughter and out of Blackcraig Blondchen V485 a Blackcraig Sam daughter was purchased by Willie Maclean, Oban.

Blackcraig then sold two heifers for 3800gns and 2500gns - Blackcraig Noreen D1321, this 29 month old, Nucamp of Balgray daughter sold to the 3Gs, John and James Graham, Stirling and Dennis Gall, Lockerbie. Blackcraig Rose D1299, this Barlaes Rivellino and out of Rose 29th of Auchenhay a Blackcraig Jury daughter sold to David and Lynn Watret, Muirfield, Hightae, Lockerbie.   

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 Troloss Nimrod daughter and out of Diamond 1st of Troloss sold to Society Junior Vice Chair Carolyn Logan and husband Dexter, Greenhead, Alva, Stirling.  This stylish heifer is destined for the summer show circuit, she sold in calf to Trolosse Olympian.

Commenting on the sale, Galloway Cattle Society Chairman, Mr 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.” 

24 bulls sold,  average £5508.13  (+£269.83) for 3 less sold on year  77% Clearance
11 Bulling heifers  average £1765.91 (-£323.59)
11 Heifers ran with bull average £3455.45 (+£1250.45)
22 females sold  - 73% clearance

Show sponsored by Davidson Animal Feeds, Nith Valley Construction Ltd. and MacMin Ltd.