It is with much sadness we inform members and friends of the passing of Vivien Maxwell of the Ben Lomond Herd, below are details of the funeral arrangements:-
Monday 25th October at 12 noon at Stirlingshire Crematorium, Falkirk Road, Bannockburn Stirling, FK7 8AJ.
If you would like to watch the service on line the details are as follows:-
Webcast: https://watch.obitus.com
Username: zuqe2396
Password: 293074
The Scottish Fatstock Club has announced classes for the new Pedigree Calf Section which will include Galloway breed classes. There will be four classes to include Bull and heifer born between 1st July 2020 and 31st December 2020 and Bull and Heifer born after 1st of January 2021 at this popular winter event. The Galloway Cattle Society is delighted to inform members all entries for these new classes will be included in the Society’s show grant fund.
Exhibitors are also reminded about the Galloways steer class and the special prize of £250 if a Galloway secures the Native Champion donated by the Galloway Cattle Society and the Galloway Cattle Young Handlers Classes for anyone under 26 years of age exhibiting a Galloway.
Entries close on the 8th October, 2021 and full details, schedule and entry form can be found at http://www.fatstockclub.co.uk/
Judge: Mr Andrew Hunter Blair, Nether Cleuch, Dalry, Castle Douglas.
The Great Yorkshire Show was back and it did not disappoint - a four day event for this year only and fewer admission tickets sold due to Covid restrictions meant the show was able to go ahead and exhibitors were able to show and promote their stock and catch up with family, friends and customers.
The quality of Galloways on show, did not disappoint either, a splendid show was in front of young breeder Andrew Hunter Blair, Nether Cleuch, Dalry, Castle Douglas. He found his champion in the heifer class, - Blackcraig Blondchen A898 from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock. This rising 3 year old heifer is by Blackcraig Xtreme and out of the bought in cow - Blondchen 3rd of Auchenhay, a cow full of Blackcraig breeding. Blondchen was reserve breed champion at the recent Royal Highland Showcase and shown in calf to Blackcraig Yahoo. On placing his champion, Andrew Hunter Blair said “This heifer oozes style which was evident as soon as she walked into the ring, she is also full of meat and breed character and is very hard to fault”
The reserve breed champion and junior champion was Phoebe of Balgray from David and Rosemarie Cornthwaite, Balgray, Lockerbie. This September 2019 born heifer is by Troloss Impeccable a bull which is shared with Alan McClymont at Kirkstead and has produced sons to 16000gns. This stylish heifer then went on to receive the junior interbreed champion – a great result for the Balgray team on their first time showing at the show.
The reserve junior champion was Warehams Nancy 2nd from Jason and Sarah Wareham, Tottingworth Farm, Broadoak. This March 2020 heifer is by 8000gns Troloss Legend which was purchased at the spring sale in 2018 and out of Bowanhill Nancy 50th. She was on her first show outing.
It was great to be back at the Yorkshire show ground and the warm welcome we receive in the Galloway bar from David, Debs and Emma always makes the show stand out. On behalf of all the exhibitors and members we would like to thank you for all your hard work and hospitality and we very much look forward to the 2022 show.
The Society would also like to thank David and Debs for sponsoring £100 cash award for new exhibitor (not shown in the last 3 years) which this year was won by J & A Finlay, Blackcraig.
Leading Awards
The Cholmondeley Perpetual Trophy for Galloway Champion:- J & A Finlay – Blackcraig Blondchen A898
Yorkshire Agricultural Society Cash Prize for Champion:- J & A Finlay – Blackcraig Blondchen A898
Slitheroford Perpetual Trophy for Group of Three Animals owned and bred by exhibitor :- D & R Cornthwaite, Balgray
Pair of Animals by the same sire:- DR & DJ Heath, Ravensfield.
Galloway Junior Champion :- D & R Cornthwaite - Phoebe of Balgray (ET)
Female Champion:- J & A Finlay – Blackcraig Blondchen A898
Class Placings
Bull any age
No Entries
Cow any age
1st Blackcraig Dora May U450 18/09/2012, by Blackcraig Rasputin - exhibited by J & A Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock, Castle Douglas.
2nd Ravensfield Sapphire 08/01/2017, by Fergal of Upper Buckna – exhibited by DR & DJ Heath, Ravensfield, Wroot
3rd Lunar Eclipse of Balgray 19/04/2015 by Ballavair Black Magic – exhibited by D & R Cornthwaite, Balgray, Lockebie.
4th Strathurr Bertha A185 04/10/2018 by Blackcraig Volume - exhibited by Mr R Marshall, Meikle Wartle Inverurie , Aberdeenshire
Heifer, born on or between 1st September 2018 and 31st August, 2019.
1st Blackcraig Blondchen A898 03/09/2018 by Blackcraig Xtreme - exhibited by J & A Finlay
2nd Ravensfield Ruby 18/01/2019 by Fergal of Upper Buckna – exhibited by DR & DJ Heath
Heifer, born on after 1st September 2019
1st Phoebe of Balgray (ET) 04/09/2019 by Troloss Impeccable - exhibited by D & R Cornthwaite, Balgray, Lockerbie
2nd Wareham’s Nancy 2nd 22/03/2020 by Troloss Legend – exhibited by J & S Wareham, Little Tottingworth Farm, Broadoak, Heathfield, East Sussex
3rd Penelope of Balgray (ET) 04/09/2019 by Troloss Impeccable - exhibited by D & R Cornthwaite, Balgray, Lockerbie
Group of Three Animals
1st D & R Cornthwaite, Lunar Eclipse, Penelope and Phoebe of Balgray.
Pair of animals by the same sire
1st DR & DJ Heath, Ravensfield Sapphire and Ruby
2nd D & R Cornthwaite – Phoebe and Penelope of Balgray
New Chairman of the Galloway Cattle Society is well known Borders farmer, Mr Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow, Selkirk, with Mr Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh, Dalry being elected as Vice Chairman.
Alan, his wife Hilary and two sons, Sam (16) and Oliver (15) have farmed Kirkstead since 1967 and have contract farmed the neighbouring farm, Dryhope for the last 13 years. The family have 2000 Blackface ewes, 30 traditional Blueface Leicesters and 50 Pure Galloway cows which they hope to increase to 70 or 80 head in the next few years.
“I am honoured and privileged to have been elected chairman of the GCS especially in these exciting times for the breed. Over the past few years, the Society have engaged in more promotional work and this is bearing fruit, increased demand and averages, new members and exciting plans in place to grow demand for Galloway Beef across the UK” explained Mr McClymont
The Society’s new Vice Chairman is Mr Peter Hunter Blair of the Nether Cleugh herd which is based on the 150 acres hill farm, on the banks of Carsfad Loch, between Dalry, Carsphairn. Peter farms with his wife Nancy and their three children, Natasha, Duncan and Andrew. The family have 25 Galloways and their followers, which are out wintered with surplus heifers and bulls sold for breeding at Society sales.
Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry was elected Junior Vice Chairman. Robert runs the Barlaes herd, which is one of the oldest herds and can be traced back to the first entry in the Society’s herd book with his wife Louise and their three sons, 21 year old David, 23 year old Peter and Willam 25. The family’s 80 head of Galloways and 1500 Blackface ewes run between 3500 acres of Barlaes, Glenhowl and Lorg.
Dear Member
I hope you are well and enjoying some freedom from restrictions which are very welcome especially as we have been blessed with better weather.
Following our recent Trustee’s meeting held after our AGMs I would like to inform you of the following changes:-
NEW CHAIRMAN
I am delighted to inform you that Mr Allan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow has been elected as Chairman of the Society, with Mr Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh the new Vice Chairman and Mr Robert McTurk Barlaes taking the role of Junior Vice Chairman. If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact any of the above. Our grateful thanks to the outgoing Chairman Mr Duncan Maxwell, Ben Lomond.
VERIFYING SIRES
As you know, the Society has been DNA profiling sires for many years, the next step is to confirm sires of newly registered bulls, there will be no additional charge for this, but it means all male registrations will be required to be accompanied with a DNA hair sample, if we don’t receive a DNA sample we will be unable to issue the Pedigree Certificate. You can also request heifers to be sire verified at the same cost of £36,(inc Vat) this is not compulsory but is especially important if females are exported. Please contact the office for a supply of DNA sample bags. This new sire verifying service will commence from the 1st June, 2021.
Pedigree Certificates
Due to increased cost of postage, it was a unanimous decision to email pedigree certificates to all members unless postage is requested and paid. Pedigree certificates will be emailed to the email address held in our database, so please ensure we have your current email address. This will commence from 1st September 2021.
Slaughter Certificates
With the increased demand of Galloway Beef, retailers are requesting parents are verified as Galloway, to overcome this for unregistered heifers (as long as the animal is from registered parents) we will provide a Slaughter Certificate for the same price as a steer certificate of £12. You will be unable to register any progeny and the record will not appear in the herd book. Please contact the office if you require either a slaughter or steer certificate.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email or mobile.
Kind regards
Dorothy Goldie
Breed Society Secretary
You may download a copy of the newsletter here.
Galloway Cattle Society of GB & Ireland Accounts for year ending 31st December, 2020 are now available for download here
If you would like to receive a paper copy of the Accounts please contact the office.
Notice is hereby given that the hybrid Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held in Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas on Friday 28th May, 2021 commencing at 1.00pm.
Please note new venue for AGM, this is to allow for current social distancing rules.
You must register to receive your Zoom invite, please contact the office.
Download details here
The US Belted Galloway Society’s Council met via Zoom on April 13, 2021, to discuss and review plans for hosting the rescheduled 2021 World Galloway Congress in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, in November of 2021.
A presentation of the survey results sent to over 900 potential delegates was shared with the Council by the current WGC Chairman, Jon Bednarski. With more than 70% of the respondents indicating they would not attend the Congress due to concerns regarding COVID-19, related travel restrictions, and testing or quarantine requirements, the Council voted unanimously to cancel the event.
With the next World Galloway Congress scheduled for 2023 in Switzerland, the council decided to not reschedule the event in Louisville. All registered paid delegates will receive a refund in the next 30 days.
We regret not being able to host the Congress. However, the health and safety of delegates was a top priority. We are hopeful we can gather again in 2023.
Announcing the launch of the new look Grassroots Online Registry which replaces the old Pedeweb.
The registry can be accessed via the Society website or direct at www.grassroots.co.uk/galloway.html using your normal Breed Society Member No and password. It gives access to the whole Society database and allows you to ‘Manage Your Animal Records’
Non members can access the site using:
User Name : GUEST and Password: Welcome99
The system opens with a list of all the animals in your registered ownership
Click on an animal to view its details, pedigree and progeny list
Click on the 1st magnifying glass (top left) to search the whole database
Click on the menu (top right) to make changes
Click on the 2nd magnifying glass (top left) to search for people
If you have animals for sale - please go to the menu and flag them ‘For Sale’.
This information will not have come across from the old system.
If you want to add images, please download the Mobile App and upload images from your phone.
The Registry is very straight forward to use but a ‘step by step’ guide is available on the Grassroots website https://home.grassroots.co.uk/
All your own animal details, in your pocket, even when you have no internet or mobile access. Free for the first month, and then a small charge of £1.99 per month (less than the cost of an ear tag) or £14.99 for the year.
Download the Grassroots Systems Mobile App from the Appstore or Google Playstore. Create an App User Name (must be at least 8 characters) and your own password. Then sync the details of all the animals you own using your normal Breed Society Member No and password. If you keep other Grassroots breeds, they can be added to the same copy of the App.
It is very straight forward to use but a ‘step by step’ guide is available on the Grassroots website https://home.grassroots.co.uk/
From within the App you can:
• Add images - for your own use or to appear in the Online Registry
• Add notes - for individual animals or groups, including mating records, or reminders
• Report changes direct to the registry ‘on the go’
o Sales - and keep a list of all your buyers
o Births - and apply to Notify or Register
o Deaths - and sales for meat
o Flag animals ‘For Sale’ - to appear in the Online Registry
o Link photos – for your own use or to appear in the Online Registry
