Saturday 30th September, 2023  Borthwickshiels Farm, Roberton, TD9 7LS                     
By kind invitation of Stewart and Katherine McIntosh   
   2pm onwards, Demonstration,  Stock judging and Farm Tour

The Galloway Cattle Society of GB and Ireland and the McIntosh family would like  to invite everyone who is interested in cattle to attend this unique event which includes stockjuding and farm tour to be held on Saturday 30th September, 2023. 

This  event is open to everyone who is interested in cattle  and will be an one off event to see what Galloways and their crosses can do on  hill ground near Hawick, which is the new home for the noted Huntly herd of Galloways. The afternoon will comprise of  stock judging  and viewing the prize winning  Huntly Galloway herd along with commercial herd of Galloway x Shorthorn herd and  Blackface, Kerry Hill and  Cheviot flocks.

Recently elected Breed  Chairman  - Mr Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh said “We are indebted to Stewart and Katherine for hosting this new event and we are looking forward to showcasing what  pedigree and commercial Galloways can achieve.  We would also like to encourage anyone, whatever their age,  who is interested in  seeing what Galloways can produce , either pure or crossbred to attend. 

Stewart and his wife Katherine took on the tenancy of the hill/upland farm Borthwickshiels near Hawick in 2018 they brought their Huntly herd of Galloways with long-established bloodlines to run alongside their flock of Lanark type Blackfaces and the farm’s flock of Hill type North Country Cheviots which they took on.

The low-input herd numbers 100 pure bred Galloway cows which live outside year round and calve on the hill at up to 1,300ft above sea level, as well as followers and Beef Shorthorn cross Galloway calves and steers.

Stewart and Katherine farm 2,345 acres of rented ground at Borthwickshiels on an MLDT tenancy in the Borthwick Valley near Roberton plus a further 140 owned acres at nearby Ashkirk .Their daughters, Grace, six, and Sarah, three are already sharing their parents’ keen interest in farming.

The Galloway breeding goes back to 1948 when Stewart’s great uncle Sandy Coltherd bought five heifers from the Glenkinnon herd of Michael Glendinning, of Williamhope, near Selkirk.

Since then the herd was run by Stewart’s late father and past Galloway Cattle Society Vice Chairman, Robert, in Northumberland and then at Outer Huntly, Selkirk from 1978, until its move to Borthwickshiels following a change of policy on the tenanted farm.

Despite the ground running from 900ft to 1,300ft on the hill, the farm is self sufficient in winter fodder making around 1,500 big bales of silage a year.

30 of the spring calving cows are bred to the Beef Shorthorn bull and Stewart has been breeding these crossbreds for the last 15 years to meet the demand for heifers sold for breeding and finished bullocks. 
The females are sold as 3 year old heifers with Aberdeen Angus cross calves at foot.

In June 2023, the Borthwickshiels annual consignment of Shorthorn cross 
females with Angus calves at foot topped at £2,120 with a further prices at 
£2,100, £2020  & £2000 when sold through Longtown mart’s special 
sale of breeding cattle.

There are 25 of these Shorthorn cross cows retained for own use, that are bulled with a Limousin bull and calves sold store at Harrison & Hetherington, St.Boswells market.

25 autumn calvers which would previously have gone to the Shorthorn bull have been bred pure to capitalise on the increasing demand for Galloway heifers at Castle Douglas, with many buyers from south of the Border using them in environmental grazing schemes.

Such is the success of the Shorthorn Galloway crosses that a small herd of four pedigree Beef Shorthorn cows has been established under the Borthwickwater prefix and the current bull used on the Galloways, Nimrod, is home-bred. The cows have been AI‘d this year to Fearn Godfather to calve next summer and the plan is to increase numbers.

The farm runs 1,800 ewes, split between the Blackfaces and Hill type North Country Cheviots which were taken on with the tenancy at Borthwickshiels.

The two breeds of sheep are a good complement for the farm with the Blackfaces thriving on the heather hill and the Cheviots on the white hill.

The Borthwickshiels Blackfaces are all bred pure while 200 of the Cheviots are crossed with the Bluefaced Leicester to produce Cheviot Mule ewe lambs for sale with the wethers either being finished or sold store.

The ewes are scanned and those carrying twins are spread around the fields before lambing time. Those scanned with single lambs are usually on the hill parks and are turned back to the hill as soon as possible. Lambing, which is all outside, starts on April 1 with the aim of finishing by mid May.

Katherine runs a pedigree flock of 16 Kerry Hill ewes under the Glenhaugh prefix. At the 2022 Kerry Hill Flock Book Society sale in Carlisle a ram sold for 500gns and gimmers made 220gns.

Farm Facts

Stewart and Katherine McIntosh 
One full member of staff - Graeme Anderson   
Acres 2345 acres of rented ground, 140 acres owned. 
900ft to 1,300ft above sea level. 

100 pedigree Galloways, under the Huntly prefix 
4 pedigree Beef Shorthorn under the Borthwickwater prefix 
25 Shorthorn x Galloway crosses 
1800 ewes Blackface and Hill type North Country Cheviots 
16 Kerry Hill ewes which belongs to Katherine. 

For further information and to register your interest please contact, GCS Secretary  07760 623985 or Facebook. 

It is with much regret that we inform members and friends of the passing of Margaret Fergusson, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas.    

Margaret had a long life association  with Galloways being involved with the Mochrum , Barlaes and Nether Rusko herds. She will be sorely missed.

The family would like to share the funeral arrangements as below:- 

Margaret FERGUSSON (née Barbour, formerly McTurk) On 7th August 2023, peacefully in the tender care of Fleet Valley Care Home in Gatehouse of Fleet, Margaret Fergusson née Barbour and formerly Margaret McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry. Beloved wife of the late William McTurk and the late Robert Fergusson, much loved mother of Fiona, Robert, James and the late Alexander and a loving grandmother of Craig, Iona, William, Peter, David, Anna, Oliver, Alex and Sam. Funeral service will be held in Dalry Parish Church followed by interment in the Churchyard on Friday 18th  August at 12pm. All friends are respectfully invited to attend. Family flowers only please. If so desired, donations to RSABI may be given at the service.

Judge:   Mr Robert Marshall, Potts of Rayne, Meikle Wartle, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire  

Quality over quantity was the order of the day at an unusually dreich and damp Great Yorkshire Show.  Unfortunately, there were no cows or males on show, which excluded the Galloways from the teams competitions but there were exceptional classes of senior and junior heifers on show, with the champion – Princess Marlyn of 3G from James & John  Graham &  Dennis Gall, Mains of Burnhead, Blair Drummond, Stirling being place first in a very strong class of junior heifers. The first home bred heifer from the trio, is a  September 2021 heifer by Strathurr Yogie and out of Kalinka 2159 of Romesbeoch who was purchased incalf at the  Castle Douglas, rearranged May 2021 for 4000gns from the Ross Family. This much admired heifer has had great success,  receiving Junior, female and reserve breed champion at the Royal Highland Show and reserve champion at Drymen Show.

The reserve champion was Princess Marlyn’s  stable mate – Kirkstead Quirk E22 she was purchased in a private deal  by the 3Gs.  This 31 month old heifer is by Troloss Impeccable, who was purchased in two way split with Kirkstead and Balgray for 9200gns in 2015 and out of Kirkstead Quirk X10 who is by Penninghame Major and out of a cow purchased at the Penninghame dispersal.  Quirk was first in the senior heifer class and has enjoyed success on the show circuit being breed champion at Drymen Show and 3rd at the Royal Highland Show.   This stylish  pair received the award for best pair of animals.

The reserve junior champion was from far travelled Tottingworth Farms Ltd, the husband and wife team, Jason and Sarah Wareham travelled from East Sussex to show their Galloways and  Belties. Their  Galloway entry -  Wareham’s Gracie 2nd is by the home bred sire Wareham’s Blackjack who is by Ballavair Black Jack and out of Wareham’s Grace 1st – a Welling of Kilnstown daughter.  Gracie 2nd has enjoyed much success this year, being placed 2nd at the Royal Highland and native interbreed champion at Heathfield show.   The dynamic due also exhibited a Galloway cross  in the commercial section – Star Bar a home bred Galloway cross heifer was first in her class.  This followed the success at South of England Show as this stylish heifer was reserve commercial champion and native champion at the Royal Highland Show.

The Society would like to give thanks to David and Debs Heath for hosting the Galloway Bar,  this hard working team along with daughter Emma, extends a very warm welcome to everyone at the show and ensures one and all have  a great time.    We would also like to thank all our exhibitors who make the effort to exhibit at all the shows, especially the Great Yorkshire as exhibitors travel hundreds of miles. If you are thinking about showing next year, please remember the Society gives a show grant for the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows (also winter shows) of £50 per animal  to a maximum of 3 exhibits.

Leading Awards    

The Cholmondeley Perpetual Trophy for Galloway Champion:-   Princess Marlyn of 3G - J & J  Graham & D Gall

Yorkshire Agricultural Society Cash Prize for Champion:-    Princess Marlyn of 3G - J & J Graham &  D Gall

Slitheroford Perpetual Trophy for Group of Three Animals owned and bred by exhibitor:-   J & S Ross

Junior, Female and Overall Breed Champion and Best Bred by Exhibitor:- Princess Marlyn of 3G - J & J Graham & D Gall

Overall Breed Reserve Champion:- Kirkstead Quick E22 - J & J  Graham &  D Gall

Reserve Junior Champion:- Wareham’s Gracie 2nd - Tottingworth Farms Ltd

Class Placings

HEIFER, born on or between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021.
1st  J & J  GRAHAM & D GALL, Mains of Burnhead, Blair Drummond, Stirling  -  KIRKSTEAD QUIRK E22, UK562202 200506 b: 28/10/2020, F57537. s: Troloss Impeccable, d: Kirkstead Quirk X10
2nd MR MJ, ROSS Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries  BEAUTY 2431 OF ROMESBEOCH, UK582716102431 b: 29/09/2020, . s: Blackcraig Kodiac, d: Beauty 1437 of Romesbeoch
3rd Mr & Mrs D.R & D.J Heath., Heathersgill, Wroot, Doncaster -  RAVENFIELDS CHARLOTTE, UK143073300191 b: 05/12/2020, F57681. s: Boris Of Romesbeoch, d: Ravenfields Sapphire
4th  Miss J A. Cowie, 52 Catherine Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire  - BLACKCRAIG BERTHA C1233, UK582801501233 b: 07/03/2021, F58232. s: Blackcraig Acrobat, d: Bertha 3rd of Auchenhay

HEIFER, born on or after 1 September 2021.
1st  J & J  Graham &  D Gall - PRINCESS MARLYN OF 3G, UK542796101747 b: 21/09/2021, F58344. s:Strathurr Yogi, d: Kalinka 2159 Of Romesbeoch
2nd  Tottingworth Farms Ltd, Tottingworth Farm, Broadoak, Heathfield, East Sussex -  WAREHAM’S GRACIE 2ND, UK262411 201244 b: 04/01/2022, F59431. s:Wareham’s Blackjack, d: Wareham’s Gracie 1st
3rd  Mr M J. Ross - BEAUTY C2560 OF ROMESBEOCH, UK582716402560 b: 02/10/2021, . s: Blackcraig Kodiac, d: Beauty 1437 of Romesbeoch
4th  D&L Watret, Muirfield, Hightae, Lockerbie  COUNTESS DELILAH OF NETHER CLEUGH, UK582837 500332 b: 16/09/2012, F58332. s: Blackcraig Ynot, d: Countess Winnie of Nether Cleugh
5th  Mr M J. Ross - NERYS 2566 OF ROMESBEOCH, UK582716302566 b: 27/02/2022, . s: Penninghame Windward, d: Nerys 2175 of Romesbeoch

GROUP OF THREE ANIMALS, the property of the same exhibitor. Open to animals already entered and SHOWN in this breed section. The winner of this class is eligible for the Groups Championship on Friday of Show.
1st  Mr MJ ROSS – Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch, Nerys 2566 of Romesbeoch and Beauty C2560 of Romesbeoch

PAIR OF ANIMALS, the property of the same exhibitor but not necessarily bred by the exhibitor. Open to animals already entered and SHOWN in this breed section. The winner of this class is eligible for the Pairs Championship on Friday of Show.
1st  J & J.Graham & D Gall – Kirkstead Quirk E22 and  Princess Marlyn of 3G
2nd Mr MJ Ross – Nerys 256 of Romesbeoch and Beauty 2560 of Romesbeoch.

Judge: Mr John McIIwraith, Canada 

Male, Junior Male and Overall Champion – Moss Fayjock, exhibited and bred by Catherine MacGregor – South Road, Inch, Aberdeenshire

Female, Reserve Overall and Reserve Junior Champion - Princess Marlyn of 3Gs, exhibited and bred by D Gall & J & J Graham, Burnbank, Blair Drummond, Stirling

Reserve Female – Barlaes Black Ice 9th exhibited by R & V Marshall, bred by R McTurk.

Catherine MacGregor secured her first Galloway championship on her very first outing with   Moss Fayjock , this junior bull, born  in  September 2021 is by Blackcraig Yahoo and out of the female record price Blackcraig Fay A899 who was purchased by Catherine for 12000gns at the 2021 Castle Douglas Spring Sale.

The reserve overall, reserve Junior and female champion - Princess Marlyn of 3Gs, bred and exhibited by the 3Gs - John & James Graham and Dennis Gall, Burnbank, Blair Drummond, Stirling, another September 2021 born is by Strathurr Yogi and out of Kalinka 2159 of Romebeoch, a heifer which was purchased in May 2021 for 4000gns.

Inverurie based Robert and Valeria Marshall, travelled south with their Balrales Black Ice 9th to clinch the reserve female title, this January 2022 born heifer is by Buccleuch Buster and out of Barlaes Blacke Ice 6th, bred by Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, this stylish heifer was purchased in a private deal.

One of the highlights of the Show, is the interbreed teams competitions, the Galloways has pairs, teams of three and fours forward, in the pairs competition Moss Fayjock and Princess Marlyn of 3Gs was placed 4th, in the native team of three, the two juniors were joined by Barlaes Black Ice 9th   and received 3rd place and in the team of four, Wareham’s Grace 1st joined the native team was shortlisted in the first 6 placings. 

Jason and Sarah Wareham also exhibited a Galloway cross in the Commercial section - Star bar, a home bred Galloway cross heifer achieved the Native Championship.

Leading Awards

Champion Medal, Dr William Heughan Memorial Trophy, The Dr Gillespie Memorial Challenge Trophy and cash prize for breed champion.
Catherine MacGregor                                                    Moss Fayjock

Rosette for best Junior Female
D Gall & J & J Graham                                                     Princess Marlyn of 3 Gs

Rosette for best Junior Bull,                                                                         
Catherine MacGregor                                                   Moss Fayjock

Junior Champion Prize of £25, Rosette for best Junior Animal, 
Catherine MacGregor                                                    Moss Fayjock

Rosette for reserve Junior Animal 
D Gall & J & J Graham                                                     Princess Marlyn of 3 Gs

The Francis Gourlay Galloway Cattle Society Memorial Challenge Cup, Rosette for best Female
D Gall & J & J Graham                                                     Princess Marlyn of 3 Gs

Rosette for reserve Female
R & V Marshall                                                                   Barlaes Black Ice 9th

The Galloway Cattle Society 100th Show Perpetual Silver Challenge Cup, Rosette for best Bull
Catherine MacGregor                                                    Moss Fayjock

Rosette for best reserve bull
No Entries

Bronze Medal for Breeder of best Bull
Catherine MacGregor

Rosette for herdsman in charge of best Animal.
Mr R Marshall

Rosette for best Animal bred by Exhibitor
Catherine MacGregor                                                    Moss Fayjock

The Reid- Walker Perpetual Challenge bowl for best Group, consisting of one Bull and two Females all being the property of one Exhibitor
No Entries                                                                             

The Tordarroch Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Exhibitor gaining most points in the Galloway Classes
J & S Ross

New Exhibitor Prize of £100 presented by David and Debs Heath, Yorkshire Show   - Catherine MacGregor

Class Placings

 
FEMALE born on or after 1st January 2022            
1st  R & V Marshall, Potts of Rayne, Meikle Wartle, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire  – Barlaes Black Ice 9th born 02/01/22, sire Buccleuch Buster, dam Barlaes Black Ice 6th
2nd J & S Wareham, Little Tottingworth Farm. Broadoak, Heathfield, East Sussex – Tottingworth’s Gracie 2nd, born 04/01/22 sire Wareham Blackjack, dam Wareham’s Grace 1st 
3rd J & S Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries- Nerys 2566 of Romesbeoch, born  27/02/22 sire Penninghame Windward, dam Nerys 2175 of Romesbeoch
4th JR Galloway, Cardona, Doune, Perthshire – Cardona Star Y368 born 07/04/22 sire Kirkstead Commodore dam Blackcraig Star Z961
5th R & V Marshall, Dark Secret of Strathurr (Dun) born 30/01/22 sire Barlaes Santan dam Woodlands Spring 5th (Dun)

FEMALE born on or between 1st September and 31st December 2021                    
1st D Gall and J & J Graham, Burnbank, Blair Drummond, Stirling – Princess Marlyn of 3Gs born 20/09/21 sire Strathurr Yogi dam Kalinka 2159 of Romesbeoch
2nd J & S Ross – Beauty 2560 of Romesbeoch  born  20/09/21 sire Blackcraig Kodiac dam Beauty 143 of Romesbeoch
3rd D & L Watret, Muirfield, Hightae, Lockerbie– Countess Delilah of Nether Cleugh born 16/09/21 sire Blackcraig Ynot dam Countess Winnie of Nether Cleugh
4th R & V Marshall   – Silver Lining of Strathurr (Dun)   born 18/11/21 sire Woodlands Nobleman dam Woodlands Spring 2nd

FEMALE born on or between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2021
1st Judith Cowie, 52 Catherine Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire - Blackcraig Bertha C1233 born 07/03/21 sire Blackcraig Acrobat dam Bertha 3rd of Auchenhay
2nd J & S Ross, Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch, born 29/09/20 sire Blackcraig Kodiac dam Beauty 143
of Romesbeoch 
3rd D Gall & J & J Graham – Kirkstead Quirk E22 born 28/10/22 sire Troloss Impeccable dam Kirkstead Quirk X10

 
FEMALE, in Milk, born before 1st September 2020                           
1st J & S Wareham – Wareham’s Gracie 1st born 03/04/18 sire Welling of Kilnstown dam Barlaes Grace 75th

 
BULL born on or after 1st January 2021
1st Catherine MacGregor, South Road, Inch, Aberdeenshire – Moss Fayjock born 12/09/21 sire Blackcraig Yahoo dam Blackcraig A899

Notice is hereby given that the Hybrid Annual General Meeting of the
Society will be held in the Board Room, Harrison and Hetherington Ltd,
Rosehill, Carlisle on Friday 26th May, 2023 commencing at 1.30pm.
Please email the office for zoom link.

Download full notice and agenda below.

Judge:- Mr Douglas Waugh, Kilsntown Farm, Bewcastle, Carlisle. 

Heifers were keenly bid for at the Society’s show and sale at Harrison and Hetherington’s Carlisle Mart, the champion female - Barlaes Katie 100th from Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas made the top price of the day of 3000gns, this Troloss Magnum daughter and out of Barlaes Katie 41st sold to Robbie Galloway, Cardona, Doune, Stirling for his 24 head herd. Mr Galloway also purchased another Barlaes heifer, Barlaes Nancy 186th, she is also by Troloss Magnum and out of Barlaes Nancy 156th, who goes back to Barack Obama of Fingland for 2200gns. The reserve champion – Barlaes Katie 106th, also came from the same home this March 2021 bulling heifer also by Troloss Magnum sold to D Lewis, Esgaircom, Llanwrad, Carmarthenshire for 2000gns. The next top price was 2400gns for another Barlaes heifer – Barlaes Katie 99th this March 2021 born bulling  heifer sold to new member Mr  R Worrel, 29 The Hawthorns, Gretna, Dumfriesshire. Barlaes had a great day at the office, selling their 9 bulling heifers to average  £2088, all these stylish heifers are by Troloss Magnum who was bought in a private deal.

Lockerbie based Walter Henderson, son Iain and daughter Fiona from Whitehill Farm, were also in the money, selling two of their four heifers for over 2000gns.   Their top price -  Lady Nancy 869 of Whitehill sold for 2400gns, this April, 2020 born  by the homebred bull Titan of Whitehill and out of Lady Nancy 642 of Whitehill who is Everest of Gall-way daughter, sold incalf to Fury of Whitehill to RN Waugh & Sons, The Row, Roadhead, Carlisle.  Their next top price of 2000gns  was paid for Astrid 852 of Whitehill, one of the last daughters  of Everest of Gall-Ways to be sold,  she sold in calf to Trojan of Whitehill to Messrs Moore, Softley Farm, Slaggyford, Brampton, who are increasing their Galloway numbers.

The male champion -   Brontemoor Stirling from well-known Limousin breeder Sarah Priestley, Cracrop Farm, Kirkcambeck, Brampton, this 22 month old, Lincoln of Brockstones son and out of Brontemoor Olive, who is a Ben Lomond Mhordhu daughter sold for the male top price of 2200gns to Mr C Chinn, High Wallabarrow Farm, Ulpha Broughton-in- Furness.

The reserve male champion -  Steve of Balgray from David and Rosemarie Cornthwaite, 3 Vendace Drive, Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, this September 2021 born Octavius of Balgray son  and out of Neave U of Over Barskeoch was unsold. 

Average
3 bulls £1820
6 heifers in milk/in calf £1814.75
11 bulling heifers £1890

Bulls: 
Pedigree Bulls (Senior)
1st   Miss S Priestley, Cracrop Farm, Kirkcambeck, Brampton – Brontemoor Stirling sold to Mr C Chinn, High Walbabarrow Farm, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness for 2200gns 
2nd D & R Cornthwaite, 3 Vendace Drive, Lochmaben – Stuart of Balgray sold to Ardnaw Farms, Ellary Estate, Achranish, Lochgilphead for 1800gns

Pedigree Bulls (Junior)
1st   D & R Cornthwatie – Steve of Balgray 
2nd  WJ Henderson, Whitehill, Lockerbie – Joker  of Whitehill sold to Mr R Worrell, 29 The Hawthorns, Gretna, Dumfriesshire for 1200gns 
3rd R & M Maxwell, Howside, Ennerdale Cleator, Cumbria – Lancelot  of Ennerdale  

Pedigree Heifer in calf or in milk
1st W J Henderson – Astrid 852  of Whitehill  sold to Messrs Moore, Softley Farm, Slaggford, Brampton, Cumbria for 2000gns 
2nd WJ Henderson  - Lady Nancy 869  of Whitehill sold to  Messrs RN Waugh & Sons, The Row, Roadhead, Carlisle, Cumbria for 2400gns 
3rd  G  J Kyle, Spoutbank, Walton, Brampton – Spout Bank Lottie sold to Messrs RN Waugh for 1550gns 
Other leading prices
WJ Henderson – Myrtle 875 of Whitehill sold to Messrs Lewis, Esgaircom, Llanwrad, Carmarthenshire for 1720gns
GJ Kyle – Spout Bank Olassa sold to Messrs Moore for 1700gns

Pedigree Senior Heifer
1st  Mr RJ McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas – Barlaes Katie 100th  sold to Mr R Galloway, Cardona Farm, Doune,  Perthshire, for 3000gns
2nd Mr RJ McTurk – Barlaes Grace 106th sold to Messrs Lewis, Esgaircom, Llanwrad, Carmarthenshire for 2000gns 
3rd  Mr RJ McTurk – Barlaes  Katie 99th sold to Mr R Worrell for 2400gns 
Other Leading prices
Mr R J McTurk – Barlaes Whitney 3rd sold to Mr R Worrell for 1950gns

Champion Male  - Lady Hudson Perpetual Challenge Cup
Brontemoor Stirling  - Miss S Priestley

Reserve Champion Male
Steve of Balgray – D & R Cornthwaite

Champion Female- Mitchelson Perpetual Challenge Cup 
Barlaes Katie 100th  - Mr RJ McTurk

Reserve Champion
Barlaes Grace 106th    - Mr RJ McTurk

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

For the first time in more than a decade, more than 100 cattle have been entered for the Galloway Spring Show and Sales.

101 pedigree Galloway cattle plus 6 Galloway x Beef Shorthorn heifers will enter the sale ring at Wallets Mart on 17th February, with a further 27 cattle due to be sold at Harrison & Hetherington in Carlisle on 3rd March.

The Galloway Cattle Society says there’s a noticeable growth in enquiries about the Galloway breed, driven by a combination of market demand for Galloway beef, plus surging interest in native breeds that suit low input, regenerative farming systems.

Breed Secretary Dorothy Goldie believes that the Galloway is the ideal choice for farmers seeking to take advantage of new market trends, she said:

“I think what’s happening is that people are seeing how well aligned Galloways are with environmentally friendly farming systems, which is only going to become more important over the next few years.

“The old image of a Galloway has been well and truly blown out of the water – this is a breed that’s perfectly matched with market demand for high quality beef and policy demands for positive environmental impact.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people who are new to the breed at the show and sale, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest in Galloways to come along, chat with some of our members and see some fantastic examples of the breed.” 

To find out more information about the Galloway Spring Show and Sale and to download a catalogue, head to the Society’s website www.gallowaycattlesociety.co.uk

Or contact Dorothy Goldie on info@gallowaycattlesociety.co.uk

Jason and Sarah Wareham with their 2019 Great Yorkshire Show Galloway champion Welling of Kilnstown with judge John Teare from the Isle of Man

Judging the Castle Douglas Galloway Society pre-sale show on February 16-17 for the first time are Sarah and Jason Wareham who are making an almost 1,000 mile round trip from their East Sussex farm.

Sarah, the third generation to farm the 350-acre Little Tottingworth, Broadoak, Heathfield, overlooking the beautiful High Weald, has been running the farm with a successful farm shop and cafe for more than 25 years.

With 250 acres of pasture and around 100 acres of ancient woodland, the farm was bought by Sarah’s grandparents Dennis and Ruby Browning in 1957 and Sarah runs the farm with her brother Michael and husband Jason.

Jason moved from the West Country in 2004 bringing his own haulage business together with his own show cattle. What started as a few cross bred show cattle and some British Blues has grown into a successful showing partnership over the last decade.

Jason and Sarah bought their first Galloway in 2008 and their passion for the breed has now extended into a herd of 30 pedigree Galloways under the Wareham’s prefix which run alongside another 70 commercial cows at Tottingworth. The farm carries around 300 head of cattle as well as a flock of 280 breeding ewes.

Tottingworth Farms has diversified the business to cater for the growing demand for local produce, opening a small farm shop in 2011.

The venture proved so successful a decision was taken to expand, and in 2016 a much larger farm shop and adjoining cafe was opened. They now employ 22 people, including the part-time cafe staff.

Sarah has been heavily involved in the on-farm abattoir and she has great knowledge of the wholesale side of the the meat trade.

“We have been going to Carlisle mart for a long time to buy store cattle and the occasional show calf and it was there we bought our first Galloway cross stores which we finished and sold through the farm shop,” said Sarah.

“The quality was unreal and it was from there that we went into the pedigree Galloways and we use the Galloway bull on some of the commercial cows.

“We put nearly all the Galloway beef through the farm shop, selling an animal a week - during Covid it was one and a half animals - and our customers ask specifically for Galloway beef,” said Sarah, who is involved with all elements of the Tottingworth Farms business.

“We find the Galloway eats so well, which is why we are using more and more of the Galloway breeding for the farm shop,” she said.

“The smaller carcases of 300 to 350kg deadweight work so well for us. We find we can use the whole carcase through the farm shop. The steaks are the perfect size,” she added.

Foundation females for the Wareham’s Galloway herd were purchased from Barlaes, Troloss and Ballavair. Stock bulls have been bought from Troloss and Kilnstown.

By 2012 Jason and Sarah had introduced the Galloway bull Ballavair Black Jack, bought in Castle Douglas,  to use on the pedigree and commercial cows.

Success with the Galloways has not only be proven with their home produced beef but also in the show sector.

Galloway crosses have had success in the native cross calf and overall calf champion at the Christmas primestock shows.

As well as success showing the pedigree Galloways at local shows, in 2017 they won the Galloway junior championship with the heifer Silverbell 12th of Gall-way. The heifer went on to receive the supreme interbreed Junior Championship - a first for the Galloway breed. 

Silverbell 12th, a 20 month old  Lochnagar of Gall-way daughter and out of the renowned Silverbell family was purchased privately from Dennis and Margaret Gall on their retirement. 

The Warehams see a great future for the Galloways at Tottingworth Farm. “Our major aim is to expand the Galloways and to have this breed as the main herd at Tottingworth by putting a Galloway cross with pure Galloways,” said Sarah.

“With the expansion of our farm shop, we want to keep offering high quality homebred produced beef to our customers. By using a Galloway also with continental commercial cows, this produces a very tasty beef product.

“Together with our home produced lamb and locally sourced pork, this have proved to be popular bringing customers to the shop and dining in the café. We feel strongly in producing locally produced meat and are very proud that the Galloways are expanding here in Sussex”.

Sarah added: “We also find the hardy Galloways an effortless breed to calve and they tend to give us an easy time in the spring. We also dedicated a Belted Galloway in our new logo for the farm, as we feel very strongly in supporting this breed. We will continue to show them across the country highlighting what a super native herd of cattle they are.”

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Galloway cattle have stood the test of time for more than 100 years and are faring well for the future on a Scottish Borders hill farm.

Andrew Tullie is the seventh generation of his family to farm at Bowanhill, Teviothead, near Hawick. The family have been tenants of the Buccleuch Estate since 1845 - almost 150 of them at Bowanhill - and for a large part of that time the herd of Galloways has been a mainstay of the business.

Andrew farms the 600 acre Bowanhill with his parents John and Caroline and four years ago Andrew and his wife Katy moved to another estate unit, Whitchesters Farm, near Hawick, taking on the tenancy of the 800 acres and establishing their own suckler herd and sheep flock. The family also has a further 200 acres of owned and rented grazing land nearer to Hawick.

Andrew is the youngest of three sons - eldest brother James is a doctor, Douglas is an architect and younger sister Sarah is an environmental consultant.

Andrew is the Galloway Cattle Society’s most recently appointed trustee, having previously been chairman of the Young Galloway Breeders while John is a past society council member.

On the new farm, Andrew has stayed loyal to the Galloway. He says the breed’s popularity continues with 14,500 Galloway cows but only 10,000 Galloway calves with a lot of the females being used for crossing.

“The other breeds of cow take a lot more keeping than the Galloway. They live out on the hill all winter and are just fed silage. They can be out there with a couple of inches of snow on their backs and they do well,” said Andrew.

“Wintering costs are a killer for suckler herds. With the Galloway you can do away with the cost of housing, machinery and straw for wintering,” said Andrew. “Less labour is required further reducing costs. The cows outwinter well on roughage just supplemented with silage,” he added.

“There is a steady core of people who keep buying Galloways, either because they want to run lower cost cows or they want a native breed for a conservation scheme. In some conservation schemes they want to re-introduce cattle for heather regeneration where the ground is being choked with Molina grasses,” added Andrew.

Galloways have been at Bowanhill for more than a century - suiting the hill land well. The herd was previously registered and John re-registered it in the 1980s with a view to selling pedigree heifers and bulls.

The Bowanhill herd currently comprises 40 pedigree cows which are run alongside a flock of 470 Scottish Blackface ewes.

For many years half the herd has been crossed with a registered Saler and the better cows and all the heifers are bred to the Galloway bull to calve at three years old.

Simmental bulls have been used in the past but the Saler is the preferred cross for calving ease and weight of calves.

The Tullies like to invest in good Galloway stock bulls to breed a medium sized female. They are all bought at the Castle Douglas sales and 4,500gns was paid for the most recent herd sire, Kilnstown Yorkshire, whose first calves were born this year, with a number showing breeding potential.

Because the Galloways are so long-lived, the Tullies are able to sell on their stock bulls when they can no longer use them on their own daughters. They are usually used for at least three years and they can bring in around half the initial investment when sold on.

Former herd sire Strictly of Fingland was bought for 5,800gns and some of that investment was recouped when he was sold on to John Heard of Devon.

Another stock bull, Ben Lomond Rolex was purchased for 3,000gns and left a lot of good females in the Bowanhill herd and was sold to a breeder in Wasdale, Cumbria.

Galloway bullocks from Bowanhill have been used in grazing schemes on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire for a number of years.

The cows are also long-lived with females currently in the herd up to 14 years old. The grand mother of Omega was still in the herd into her late teens.

The heifers are calved in March before the cows which calve from April to May. All the calving is on the hill at 1,000ft above sea level, the majority unassisted.

With little in the way of inputs and labour, the cattle bring healthy returns. Galloway bulling heifers have sold up to 1,400gns through the ring at Carlisle.

Bullocks weigh an average 300kg at weaning with heifers weighing slightly less. Crossbred bullocks sold up to £900 at Longtown in 2019. Cattle from Bowanhill were also first prize in both the bullock and heifer classes at the Longtown Kirkcambeck sale.

Salers cross heifers have sold to £1,500 in the past and featured on the Galloway stand at the beef event in Aberdeenshire last year.

While only the best pure bred Galloway bull calves are kept for breeding, in recent years they have sold for good money to buyers in the South West of England at the Castle Douglas society sale.

“Breeders from the south west of England have been good supporters of the Galloway which suits their type of land and they are used in grazing schemes,” said John.

Bowanhill Omega sold for 1,800gns to John Jordan, of Newton Abbot, Devon, in February 2015,” he added.

Also, the reserve champion two year old at the February 2017 Castle Douglas sale, Bowanhill William Wallace sold for 2,000gns to RA & JP Cornelius,  of Bodmin, Cornwall.

John says he has never considered any other breed of cow for Bowanhill. “There are other breeds which claim to do the same job but they can’t be as hardy as the Galloway,” he says.

At Whitchesters Andrew and Katy, a biology teacher at Hawick high school, who have two young children Wilson, three and a half, and Mairi, 18 months old, have established a 100-cow suckler herd comprising 30 commercial Galloways with the remainder Saler crosses alongside 800 Cheviots and cross Aberfields.

As well as hill land, the farm has a good proportion of ploughable ground which is used to grow forage crops.

The Galloways were bought as a herd from the Drysdales at Old Cambus, Cockburnspath, and they are put to the Whitebred Shorthorn bull to produce Blue Greys. Some replacements have been bought from the Bowanhill herd.

All Blue Grey heifers are sold as 17 month old bulling heifers to the same buyer at Peebles who wants hardy heifers for hill cows which are put to the Limousin and Charolais bulls.

Blue Grey bullocks are sold at a year old at Longtown mart and at the early sale they averaged £620.

The easy care Galloways have given John and Andrew time to pursue the family interests in orienteering and hill running with the surrounding terrain providing the ideal training ground.

John took up orienteering while still at school. He is currently the British orienteering over 60s champion. He was second in the British fell running championship and he retains his title as the over 60s Scottish hill running champion. Andrew has eased back on the sport with having a young family as well as taking on the new farm.