On behalf of the International Galloway Society The Swiss Galloway Society and Bern

Welcome

 

The 2023 World Galloway Conference organizing Committee Invites you to attend the World Galloway Conference, taking place in Bern, Switzerland from September 16 th to September 21st 2023

Dear Galloway breeders from all over the world

As agreed upon in Scotland 2016, the World Galloway Conference will take place in Bern Switzerland from Saturday September 16 th to Thursday, September 21 st 2023.

The venue is the Hotel National in down town historic Bern, a few steps from the central railway station.

Bern Welcome is our Partner for hotel reservations, online registrations, payments, questions and answers.

We shall start online registration by Bern Welcome (Hotels, Conference registration, post Conference excursions) soon.

• Switzerland is a beautiful but rather small and expensive country, therefore:
• We have a hosting capacity of 300 visitors. So first come, first served!
• The organizing committee is trying hard to keep the expenses as low as possible.
• The Conference fees will be 650 CHF per Person.
• Conference Languages: English and German
• Registration deadline is February 28th 2023.

Travel expenses to Switzerland and Bern have to be organized and paid by the participants themselves.

From your very first overnight stay at a tourist accommodation in the city of Bern, you will receive a Bern Ticket for your entire stay, which lets you travel for free on public transport in zones 100/101 operated by the LIBERO Association.

Welcome desk Sept. 16, 2022 from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. at Hotel National (Hirschengraben 24, 3011 Bern), by Bern Welcome and the organizing committee.

The individually selected hotels are mostly nearby Hotel National and the departing buses to the daily excursions.

Welcome drinks and program orientation, as well as the final evening will take place on Sept. 21, 2022. in Hotel National in Bern. The costs are included in the registration fee.

Preliminary Program:

Saturday Sept. 16th 2023: 
Conference Check in: Welcome desk Bern Welcome at Hotel National Bern 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m . Welcome drinks and exact Program Orientation, introduction of our conference staff.
Sunday Sept. 17th 2023: 
Excursion by bus, visiting Hof Baregg, a Dun Galloway farm, and Hofgut Farnsburg, demonstrating new concepts of ecological farming - both close to Basel.
Monday Sept. 18th 2023: 
Galloways in the alpine environment: Excursion by train and bus to Valais (Goms) to see a black Galloway Farm. On the way you will visit an alpine hydroelectric power plant at Grimsel Pass and experience one of the world`s longest railway tunnels. ​
Tuesday Sept. 19th 2023: 
Excursion by bus to visit two belted Galloway farms in eastern Switzerland. On the way, you will see the exciting and famous Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen.
Wednesday Sept. 20th 2023: 
Excursion by bus to wonderful Gruyère in western Switzerland. You visit the historic town and castle of Gruyere, the Cailler Chocolate factory and the production site of the fantastic Gruyère cheese.
Thursday Sept 21st 2023:
City Sightseeing in Bern organized by Bern welcome, Quiz of Switzerland, World Galloway assembly at Hotel National, Farewell Dinner at Hotel National.
Friday Sept. 22nd 2023: 
End of Conference and start of the post conference activities. We will work on, and publish a list of options, where the participants can register individually (visit Galloway farms in small groups, wine tasting, excursions to places like Lucerne an d the Jungfrau and many others).

All the way with Galloway!

Yours 
Berchtold von Fischer 
President organizing committee WGC Bern, Switzerland ​

 

Registration & Hotel booking

To make the registration and book the hotel room please go to this link . This link is available until 28.02.2023. We ask you to make the registration and book a hotel room until then.

Registration deadline for the conference is February 28th 2023

Please register yourself on this booking Link.

The credit card will be charged for the registration fee. If you wish to receive an invoice, please inform us by mail, meetings@bern.com, before booking.

The hotel rooms are available from September 16th – 22nd, 2023. Fees for accommodation has to be paid  in the hotel before departure. Your credit card details are only forwarded to the hotel to guarantee your booking.

Please contact Bern Convention Bureau if you want to extend or change your stay: 
email: meetings@bern.com
Tel: +41 31 328 12 60.

Store & Breeding Cattle at 10.30am
66 GALLOWAY BREEDING CATTLE
 at 12.00 noon

Important Reduction Sale of behalf of Eskdale & Liddesdale Farming

42 Galloway cows with spring born Blue Grey calves.
19 Galloway cows with spring born pure Galloway calves
3 Galloway bulling heifers
2 Galloway cows, running with bull
2 Whitebred Shorthorn stock bulls (4 & 5 year old)
These are genuine working hill cows of regular ages and well worthy of buyers attention
TB4, BVD negative, Farm Assured & Lepto vaccinated
For further information please contact:- Sam Hogg 07584207323

Judge: Mr Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow.

After a long three years, the Royal Highland Show returned - with kind weather, packed ringside and an exceptional show of Galloways.

 

Breed Society Chairman, Mr Alan McClymont, Kirkstead selected his overall and junior champion - Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch from Jim, Selina Ross and son Doug, Romesbeoch, Shawhead from a exceptional class of heifers. This September 2020 born heifer, who was making her show debut at the show, is an ET heifer, by Blackcraig Kodiac who received overall interbreed champion at both the Royal Highland and Yorkshire shows in 2009. Her dam is Beauty C1437 of Romesbeoch, who was shown many times and won the Galloway Championship in 2015. This stylish heifer only other outing was a Livescot, Lanark, last year and she was placed 1st in her class.

Blackcraig Dora May U450 from the Finlay Team – John, Ann and Iain, Blackcraig, Corsock, Castle Douglas received the reserve overall title, this rising 10 year old cow, is no stranger to the show ring as she was champion at the 2021 RHS Show case. She is by Blackcraig Rasputin - a bull in which a half share had been sold to Troloss, where he bred very well with sons sold up to 9200gns and out of Dora May 8th of Knairie - a Blackcraig Jury daughter.

 

The Champion Male was Troloss Legend from Jason and Sarah Wareham, Little Tottingworth Farm, Broadock, East Sussex. This 2016 born senior stock bull at Tottingworth also goes back to Blackcraig breeding in the shape of Blackcraig Dec and is out of Troloss Inka a Blackcraig Rasputin daughter.

It was smiles all round for father and daughter team George and Beth Harvey from Balfron, Glasgow as their only male entry – Harveys Eminem secured the reserve male and reserve junior titles. This 17 month old is by the AI sire Braveheart of Gall-way and out of Harvey’s Zsa Zsa, a 21st present to Beth from her father. George and Beth also received the new Exhibitors prize kindly donated by David and Debs Heath, this was a bitter sweet moment for the duo as they have sold the female portion of their Galloway herd due to losing rented land.

 

Judge Alan McClymont commented “ I thought it was a tremendous show of cattle and I don’t think I have ever seen, especially the female classes better, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole occasion and I would like to thank everyone for presenting such quality stock”.

The Galloway “stand” is now well established at the show – a place to meet and promote the breed, this year the stand was very busy with new members and people looking for native females. We would also like to thank all members who manned the stand and everyone who provided traybakes etc.

In the commercial section, Robert and Valeria Marshall, Aberdeenshire exhibited a pure Galloway bullock – The Flash, this April 2021 born, a Troloss Nitro son was bred by Kilnstown Farms Ltd and was placed 5th in his class.

Leading Awards

Champion Medal, Dr William Heughan Memorial Trophy, The Dr Gillespie Memorial Challenge Trophy and cash prize for breed champion.
J & S Ross Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

Rosette for best Junior Female
J & S Ross Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

Rosette for best Junior Bull
G & B Harvey Harvey’s Eminem

Junior Champion Prize of £25, Rosette for best Junior Animal
J & S Ross Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

Rosette for reserve Junior Animal 
G & B Harvey Harvey’s Eminem

The Francis Gourlay Galloway Cattle Society Memorial Challenge Cup, Rosette for best Female
J & S Ross Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

Rosette for reserve Female
J&A Finlay Blackcraig Dora May U450

The Galloway Cattle Society 100th Show Perpetual Silver Challenge Cup, Rosette for best Bull
J & S Wareham Troloss Legend

Rosette for best reserve bull
G & B Harvey Harvey’s Eminem

Bronze Medal for Breeder of best Bull
Troloss Farms

Rosette for herdsman in charge of best Animal
Mr Doug Ross

Rosette for best Animal bred by Exhibitor
J & S Ross Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

The Reid- Walker Perpetual Challenge bowl for best Group, consisting of one Bull and two Females all being the property of one Exhibitor
D & R Cornthwaite

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 
George & Beth Harvey

Overall Champion, Female Champion and Junior Champion 
J & S Ross - Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch

Reserve Female Champion
J & A Finlay, Blackcraig Dora May U450

Male Champion 
J & S Wareham – Troloss Legend

Reserve Male Champion and Male Junior Champion 
G & B Harvey Harvey’s Eminem  

Class Placings

FEMALE born on or after 1st January 2021 
1st D & R Cornthwaite - Solar Eclipse of Balgray born 10/04/21 Sire; Troloss Impeccable Dam; Eclipse of Balgray 
2nd G & B Harvey – Harvey’s Emerald born 23/01/21 Sire; Blackcraig Kodiac, Dam; Ben Lomond Vimto
3rd R & V Marshall – Strathurr Blondchen E598 born 28/05/21 Sire; Blackcraig Yahoo, Dam; Blackcraig Blondchen Y704

FEMALE born on or between 1st September and 31st December 2020 
1st J & S Ross – Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch born 29/09/20, Sire; Blackcraig Kodiak, Dam; Beauty 1437 of Romesbeoch

FEMALE born on or between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017
1st J & S Ross – Beauty 2311 of Romesbeoch born 22/11/2019 Sire; Strathurr Yogie, Dam; beauty 875 of Romesbeoch 
2nd D Gall and J & J Graham - Blackcraig Sheilds B1070 born 14/10/2019 Sire: Nucamp of Balgray, Dam: Blackcraig Blondchen X643 
3rd D & R Cornthwaite – Phoebe of Balgray born 04/09/2019 Sire: Troloss Impeccable Dam; Penninghame Queen
4th J & S Ross – Daisy 2317 of Romesboech born 25/04/2020 Sire; Penningham Windword, Dam; Daisy 1850 of Romesbeoch

FEMALE, in Milk, born before 1st September 2019 
1st J & A Finlay – Blackcraig Dora May U450 born 18/09/2012 Sire Blackcraig Rasputin, Dam; Dora May 8th of Knarie
2nd D & R Cornthwaite – Lunar Eclipse of Balgray born 19/05/2015, Sire; Ballavair Black Magic, Dam; Great Occasion of Balgray
3rd R & V Marshall- Blackcraig Blondchen born 11/09/2016, Sire; Blackcraig Vindicator, Dam; Blondchen 3rd of Auchenhay
4th J & A Finlay – Blackcraig Blondchen Z850 born 11/10/17, sire; Blackcraig Xtreme, Dam; Blackcraig Blondchen W554
5th J & S Ross – Nerys 2175 of Romesbeoch Sire; Penninghame Windword, Dam: Nerys 1306 of Romesbeoch

BULL born on or after 1st January 2020 
1st G & B Harvey – Harvey’s Eminem born 04/01/2021, Sire; Braveheart of Gall-way, Dam: Harvey’s Zsazsa
2nd Michael McCornick – Barquhill Buster born 20/04/2021, Sire; Troloss Ring Pull, Dam; Kirkstead Rhapsody
3rd Michael McCornick – Barquhill Mario born 05/03/2021, Sire; Maximillian of Balgray, Dam; Barquhill Brownie

BULL born on or before 31st December 2019 
1st – J & S Wareham – Troloss Legend born 04/02/2016 Sire; Blackcraig Dec, Dam; Troloss Inka

Click here to download

Notice is hereby given that the hybrid Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held in The Kings Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas on Friday 20th May, 2022 commencing at 1.30pm.
 

You must register to receive your Zoom invite, please contact the office.
 

Download details here
 

Also Society’s Accounts for year ending 31st December 2021, download details here.

Judge Mr James Laurie, Southdean Farm, Chesters, Hawick

A centre breed record was achieved for the 1st place junior bulling heifer -  Barlaes Brownie 255th from Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Castle Douglas, this  23 month old heifer is by  Troloss Magnum who was Originally bought in half share for 11k from Troloss and  then took up full share following Troloss dispersal. This is the first crop of calves sold  with bulls to 8000gns and averaging 6500gn  for 3 at Castle Douglas sale centre  and out of Barlaes Brownie 188th sold to Mr Robbie Galloway, Cardona, Doune for 4000gns.  Mr Galloway also purchased the champion female again from Robert McTurk - Barlaes Brownie 254th, another nearly two year old heifer again by Troloss Magnum and out of the Brownie family which goes back to a home bred bull Barlaes JFK, she sold for 2000gns.

The champion bull – Viking of Whitehill from Walter and Iain Henderson, Whitehill, Lockerbie, is by 5000gns Everest of Gall-way who’s son - Ace of Whitehill sold for 4300gns at the 2021 spring sale.  This 26 month old bull is out of Lizzie 401 of Whitehill, sold to Messrs TD & M Moore & Son, Softley Farm, Slaggyford for 2200gns.  The Henderson Family also sold a personal female best price of 3100gns for  Lady Nancy 818 of Whitehill, this March 2019  in calf heifer by the home bred Trojan of Whithill sold to Mr R Lund, East Clough, Garsdale, SEDBERGH Cumbria.

Husband and wife team Richard and Alison Maxwell, Howside, Ennerdale, Cleator, Cumbria  sold Knight of Ennerdale, this is the first bull to be sold  by Troloss Matrix who was purchased at the 2019 Castle Douglas sale for 15000gns and out of Kalinka 1461 of Romesbeoch - purchased for 2400gns -  2015 Castle Douglas sale. This 19 month old bull, who stood 2nd in his class sold for 6000gns  in a half share deal to  J & A Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock and RA McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow. 

Lanarkshire based James Campbell, Kypehill, Strathaven, had a great day, selling his first bull for the second top male  price  – Kypehill Dynamite ,    was bought as a calf at foot with his dam – Naplam of Balgray at the Autumn Carlisle sale in 2020 for 2000gns.  This 19month old, Troloss Minstral son     was purchased by new member Messrs Strang Steel & Partners, Hawick for 3000gns.

Averages
6 Bulls                                        £2747.50                          
7 Heifers in milk/in Calf                  £1815.00                          
23 Bulling Heifers                         £1362.26                         

Bulls
1st   WJ Henderson, Whitehill, Lockerbie - Viking of Whitehill sold to TD & M Moore & Son, Softley Farm, Slaggyford, Brampton for 2200gns
2nd  R & M Maxwell, Howside, Ennerdale Cleator, Cumbria – Knight of Ennerdale sold to Messrs Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock & RA McClymont & Son, Kirkstead, Yarrow for 6000gns 
3rd  Mrs I Milroy, Mains of Machermore Farm, Newton Stewart – Chieftain of Ardoch sold to Mr J McCurdy, 230 Carnlough Road,Broughshane„BALLYMENA County Antrim for 1200gns 
Other Leading prices
Mr J Campbell, Kypehill Farm, Sandford, Strathaven – Kypehill Dynamite sold to FE Strang Steel & Partners, Lymiecleugh  ,C/o I Hepburn, North House, HAWICK for 3000gns

Pedigree Heifer in calf or in milk
1st W J Henderson – Lady Nancy 818 of Whitehill  sold to Mr R Lund, EastClough,Garsdale„SEDBERGH Cumbria for 3100gns 
2nd WJ Henderson – Brownie 816 of Whitehill sold to Mr R Lund, East Clough,Garsdale„SEDBERGH Cumbria for 1750gns
3rd WJ Henderson – Lizzie 820 of Whitehill sold to TK Laurie, Southdean Farm,Chesters„HAWICK Rox for 1750gns

Pedigree Senior Heifer
1st  Mr RJ McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas – Barlaes Brownie 254th sold to Mr R Galloway, Cardona Farm, DOUNE Perthshire, for 2000gns
2nd Mr RJ McTurk – Barlaes Kate 95th sold to A & A Hogg, Milnholm Farm LANGHOLM Dumfriesshire for 2150gns 
3rd RP Evans, Dale Cottage Farm, Wessington Lane, Wessington, Derbyshire – Dalebrook Raven sold to J S & K
Wilson & Son, High House, Helsington,KENDAL Cumbria for 950gns

Junior Bulling Heifer
1st  Mr R J McTurk  - Barlaes Brownie 255th sold to Mr R Galloway, Cardona for 4000gns
2nd Emblehope & Burngrange Estate, Tarset, Hexham – Emblehope Grace sold to FE Strange Steel & Parnters, Lymiecleugh,  c/o I Hepburn, North House, HAWICK for 1400gns

Champion Male 
Viking of Whitehill

Reserve Champion Male
Knight of Ennerdale

Champion Female
Barlaes Brownie 254th

Reserve Champion
Lady Nancy 818 of Whitehill

Show – Thursday 17th February, 2022
Sale – Friday 18th February, 2022
Judge Mr Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas.

Trade was a flyer at the Galloway Cattle Society’s two day show and sale held at Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas, with three animals over 10,000gns and a dozen heifers over 5000gns

 

Selling the lead price of 15000gns for Kirkstead Elite was Society’s Chairman, Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow, this much fancied 16 month old is by Troloss Impeccable who was purchased in partnership with David and Rosemarie Cornthwaite, Balgray for 9200gns. Elite was placed 2nd in the show the previous day and is off home with Klondyke Farms Ltd, Shancastle, Moniaive, Thornhill.

10000gns was achieved twice, once for the Male Champion, Unthank Beowulf from Alistair Busby, Unthank, Ewes, Langholm, this March 2020 was the heaviest bull in the mart at 832kgs, is by 3500gns Mandella of Balgray and was purchased by Messrs Spours & Sons, Twizell Farm, Belford, Northumberland for their 70 cow herd.

Ben Lomond Endeavour from J,M & D Maxwell, Blairvockie, Drymen, Glasgow also realized 10,000gns, this May 2020 is a Zonda of Kilnstown son and out of Ben Lomond Waterlily – a Klondyke Raider daughter was sold to Father and Son team, John and Andrew Tullie, Bowanhill, Teviothead, Selkirk. Duncan Maxwell also purchased one of three animals to achieve 8000gns - Barlaes Trooper, from Judge - Robert McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry, Castle Douglas, this 22 month old Troloss Magnum son is out of Barlaes Nancy 126th who is by the homebred sire Barlaes Colossus.

Doug and Jim Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries, sold the first bull in the ring - Chopper of Romeseoch also for 8000gns, this October 2019 born, Struthurr Yogi son sold to repeat customer Jimmy Ions, Thornyburn, Falstone, Hexham.

8000gns was the female top price for Brownie 5th of Fingland, from Jimmy Wallace and Family at Fingland, Dalry, Castle Douglas, placed 2nd in its class the day before, this Kirkstead Vindicator daughter who was shared with Kirkstead sold to Mr Steven McKillop, Sallachry East¸ Inveraray. The Fingland Team had a great day in the office, as they sold 6 Kirkstead Vindicator daughters heifers to average 4116gns. Their next best top price of 6500gns was for the first prize heifer Joyce 3rd of Fingland, out of Joyce 1st of Fingland who is the AI sire Orinocho of Over Barskeoch, she went home with R Nixon & E MacPherson, Marbrack, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas. A call of 6000gns was made for the incalf heifer - Brownie 7th of Fingland, this August 2019 heifer is travelling home with Helen Ryman, North Kildarroch, Whauphill, Newton Stewart. Helen also purchased Kathleen 15th of Fingland for 3200gns, Brownie 8th of Fingland - full sister to the top price heifer for 2200gns and Lady Polka 16th of Fingland for 4200gns.

The Female champion was Foxglove Blue of Nether Cleugh from Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh, Corsock, this September 2019 born Blackcraig Vagabond daughter was sold in calf to Nether Cleugh ‘s new stock bull Klondyke Dominoto and purchased by June and Bobby MacKenzie, Wester Auchnagallen, Grantown of Spey for 7000gns, which is Nether Cleugh best price to date.

The reserve female champion, Blackcraig Blondchen B1089 from John, Ann & Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock secured 6500gns to Messrs Cowie, Polston Farm, The Mill, Polston. This first place heifer is by the homebred bull Blackcraig Superman and out of Blackcriag Blondchen U 087 who goes back to Blackcraig Sam. This stylish heifer was one of five heifers from the much admired pen from Blackcraig which averaged 3900gns. The next best priced heifer was 5000gns for Blackcraig Shields B1070 is by Nucamp of Balgray and out of Blackcraig Shields and heads north to Stirling with new members 3G Galloways. Another new member J Common & Sons, Crossdykes, Lockerbie purchased another Nucamp of Balgray daughter -Blackcraig Bertha B1045 for 4500gns. Well known German breeder Horst Kraft then secured Blackcraig Moss Rose B1091 for the next best price of 4200gns and Blackcraig Blonchen B1089 sold for 3800gns to G & M Porter, Islay. Blackcraig’s only bull entry – Blackcraig Crofter, a Blackcraig Xtreame son sold for 7000gns sold in a half share deal between Messrs Milligan, Dunesslin, Dunscore, Dumfries and Messrs Wallace, Over Barskeoch, Dalry, Castle Douglas

Averages
19 Bulls £5819.21 (+£1342.02)
22 heifers in calf or ran with bull £3493.63 (-£224)
15 bulling heifers £2506.00 (+£46)

Lot No

Name of animal

DoB

Gns

Purchaser

1

Chopper of Romesbeoch                  

 27/10/2019 

8000

J Ions & Son

Hexham

2

Huntly Drummer                         

 26/11/2019 

N/F

3

Barlaes Tam O Shanter                  

 30/01/2020 

N/F

4

Unthank Beowulf                        

 13/03/2020 

10000

SH Spours & Sons

Belford

5

Pegasus of Trolossé                    

 16/03/2020 

3000

P G Abel

Petertavy

6

Wareham’s Bullet Tooth Tony            

 20/03/2020 

N/S

7

Wareham’s Corker                       

 22/03/2020 

N/F

8

Barlaes Tam                            

 25/03/2020 

6000

R Galloway

Stirling

9

Barlaes Trooper                        

 31/03/2020 

8000

J, M & D Maxwell

Blairvockie

10

Withdrawn

11

Barlaes Toledo                         

 06/04/2020 

5500

Cnewr Estate

Sennybridge

12

Dare Devil of Over Barskeoch           

 14/04/2020 

N/S

13

Wareham’s Unstopabull                  

 17/04/2020 

N/S

14

Raider of Balgray                      

 21/04/2020 

N/S

15

Withdrawn

16

Dominator of Romesbeoch                

 01/05/2020 

4500

D Lewis

Llanwrda

17

Rebellious of Balgray                  

 03/05/2020 

N/F

18

Ben Lomond Endeavour                   

 04/05/2020 

10000

J Tullie

Bowanhill

19

Ring Leader of Balgray                 

 09/05/2020 

1800

MacMillan & Partners

Castle Douglas

20

Pioneer of Trolossé                    

 24/05/2020 

6000

T Byers

Wigton

21

Dava Dave                              

 21/06/2020 

N/S

22

Warhorse of Fingland                   

 22/07/2020 

N/F

23

Commander of Kilnstown                 

 05/09/2020 

3000

J Steele

Lanark

24

Century of Kilnstown                   

 07/09/2020 

N/S

25

Conquer of Kilnstown                   

 08/09/2020 

N/F

26

Kirkstead Eliminator                   

 13/09/2020 

2000

DW Gourlay & Co

Craigmuie

27

Dava Duke                              

 14/09/2020 

N/F

28

Blackcraig Crofter                     

 21/09/2020 

7000

Milligan & Wallace

Dunesslin & Over Barskeoch

29

Blackcraig Clansman                    

 23/09/2020 

N/F

30

Kirkstead Elite                        

 28/09/2020 

15000

Klondyke Farms Ltd

Shancastle

31

Conundrum of Nether Cleugh             

 05/10/2020 

2500

H Kraft

Germany

32

Barquhill Hector                       

 14/10/2020 

3000

W Wallace & Sons

Fingland

33

Explosion of Over Barskeoch            

 11/11/2020 

N/S

34

Rhodium of Balgray                     

 17/11/2020 

2500

G Roarty

N Ireland

35

Kirkstead Expert                       

 03/03/2021 

6500

D & R Cornthwaite

Balgray

36

Creditor of Kilnstown                  

 06/04/2021 

N/F

37

Jess 371 of Troloss                    

 13/03/2019 

4000

D Henry

Ballymena

38

Brownie 5th of Fingland (Twin)         

 26/04/2019 

8000

S McKillop

Inveraray

39

Brownie 7th of Fingland                

 01/08/2019 

6000

H Ryman

Whauphill

40

Penelope of Balgray (ET)               

 04/09/2019 

N/S

41

Foxglove Belle of Nether Cleugh (Twin) 

 12/09/2019 

1800

R Nixon

Marbrack, Castle Douglas

42

Foxglove Blue of Nether Cleugh (Twin)  

 12/09/2019 

7000

J MacKenzie

Grantown

43

Blackcraig Bertha B1045                

 23/09/2019 

4500

J Common & Son

Crossdykes, Lockerbie

44

Countess Balalika of Nether Cleugh     

 07/10/2019 

N/F

45

Blackcraig Shields B1070               

 14/10/2019 

5000

3 G - Galloway

Stirling

46

Barquhill Almond 1088                  

 28/10/2019 

N/S

47

Blackcraig Blondchen B1089             

 07/11/2019 

6500

J Cowie

Polston

48

Blackcraig Blondchen B1088             

 07/11/2019 

3800

G & M Porter

Islay

49

Blackcraig Moss Rose B1091             

 11/11/2019 

4200

HH Kraft

Germany

50

Barquhill K Blondchen 1091             

 16/11/2019 

3200

J Campbell

Strathaven

51

Barquhill Moss Rose 1096               

 18/11/2019 

1800

SL McCarthy

Borgue

52

Joyce 3rd of Fingland                  

 16/03/2020 

6500

R Nixon

53

Klondyke Page                          

 21/03/2020 

N/S

Marbrack, Castle Douglas

54

Kathleen 15th of Fingland              

 05/04/2020 

3200

H Ryman

Whauphill

55

Brownie 8th of Fingland                

 07/04/2020 

2200

H Ryman

Whauphill

56

Lady Polka 16th of Fingland            

 25/04/2020 

4200

H Ryman

Whauphill

57

Beauty 2316 of Romesbeoch              

 25/04/2020 

2500

J Heard

Hughslade, Okehampton

58

Daisy 2317 of Romesbeoch               

 25/04/2020 

N/F

59

Lady Diana 2319 of Romesbeoch          

 28/04/2020 

2100

G & M Porter

Islay

60

Beauty 2320 of Romesbeoch              

 29/04/2020 

N/S

61

Anusha 2325 of Romesbeoch              

 04/05/2020 

2800

J Heard

HuGhslade, Okehampton

62

Kirkstead Nerys Ingrid D2              

 15/09/2019 

1600

D & C Logan

Stirling

63

Kirkstead Nerys Ingrid D6              

 21/09/2019 

1300

J Steele

Lanark

64

Kirkstead Quirk D9                     

 27/09/2019 

N/F

65

Kirkstead Quirk D16                    

 12/10/2019 

2500

J McCurdy

Broughshane

66

Kirkstead Lea D13                      

 30/09/2019 

3000

B Douglas

Castlederg

67

Kirkstead Quirk D17                    

 20/10/2019 

1600

D Henry

Ballymena

68

Kirkstead Quirk D19                    

 02/11/2019 

0

69

Kirkstead Nancy D21                    

 12/11/2019 

1200

J Steele

Lanark

70

Kirkstead Quirk D23                    

 25/12/2019 

N/F

71

Kirkstead Amber D24                    

 29/01/2020 

1800

R Nixon

Marbrack, Castle Douglas

72

Klondyke Olympia                       

 18/09/2019 

N/S

73

Klondyke Orchard                       

 19/09/2019 

N/S

74

Klondyke Oven                          

 11/10/2019 

N/S

75

Klondyke Orrel                         

 23/10/2019 

N/F

76

Barlaes Nancy 181st                    

 02/04/2020 

N/S

77

Barlaes Katie 96th                     

 04/04/2020 

1700

D McClintock

Broughshane

78

Barleas Katie 97th

07/04/2020

1200

B Douglas

Castlederg

79

Barlaes Black Ice 7th                  

 15/04/2020 

2500

R Galloway

Stirling

80

Roustabout of Balgray                  

 03/05/2020 

1800

J Common & Son

Crossdykes, Lockerbie

81

Ribena of Balgray

03/05/2020

1400

D McClintock

Broughshane

82

Reunion of Balgray                     

 05/05/2020 

1400

J McCurdy

Broughshane

83

Randy of Balgray                       

 18/05/2020 

N/F

84

Raven of Balgray                       

 21/05/2020 

1600

J McCurdy

Broughshane

The Galloway Society of GB & Ireland is delighted to announce the dates for the 2022 sales. The Castle Douglas spring show and sale held at Wallets’ Mart is being held over two days, Thursday 17th and Friday 18th February 2022, the show to be held on the 17th at 12 noon and the sale the next day at 11am. Entries for this sale close on Wednesday 5th January 2022, please contact Wallets’ marts if you require entry forms. The judge for the show is well-known breeder Mr Robert McTurk from the Barlaes herd.

The Carlisle spring show and sale held in Harrison and Hetherington flagship mart is on Friday 4th March 2022 with the autumn show and sale on Friday 4th November 2022.

2022 Sale Dates

Castle Douglas spring show and sale - Thursday 17th and Friday 18th February 2022
Carlisle spring show and sale – Friday 4th March 2022
Carlisle autumn show and sale – Friday 4th November 2022

Richard and Clare Packer never intended to farm - but they seized the opportunity when they got it and are building their enterprise around low input pedigree Galloway cattle and easily managed sheep.

Four generations of the Murrays have farmed in the Coquet Valley but when John Murray decided to hand over the business at  Cartington Farm, near Thropton -  he offered the opportunity to his daughters.

“I’m one of four daughters and on Boxing Day 2011 Dad said to us all - ‘There’s a business here and if any of you are interested, now is the time to get involved,’” said Clare.

Clare had grown up with her parents John and Rosalind and her three sisters at Cartington Farm on the Armstrong Cragside Estate and, while she had enjoyed working with the sheep back then, farming had not been her intention.

“My parents have worked with the Farming Community Network and they know that a lot of farmers do not think through succession but my Dad has and he has been prepared to hand over the business. It has been quite a process to do it !

“I am the eldest daughter and I was the most keen on farming, mainly with the sheep. But I also know how hard farming is,” said Clare, who also works part time as a teaching assistant.

Richard had grown up around farming and was a director  for a pharmaceutical company at Morpeth but the pressures of working for a global company were taking their toll and he decided to quit.

Richard began doing countryside work in the area and on the farm and he and Clare moved back to Cartington in 2014 to the house where she was born.

“Dad had sold his suckler herd some years previously when he was seriously ill, investing what he got for the cows back into property,  and he had reduced stocking levels so that he could manage, so for us it was almost like having a blank sheet of paper to work on. We set about making a 10-year plan,” said Clare.

Richard added: “With me coming from a non-farming background I was thinking about what we would do if we didn’t get subsidies and how we could create a profitable business. 

“I was thinking how we could  farm in an economic, environmentally friendly and sustainable way and also enjoy what we were doing,” he added.

Cartington Farm runs to just over 1,300 acres, 640 of which is heather hill running up to 300 metres above sea level. There are 120 acres of temporary grassland with 390 acres split between improved and permanent pasture, including productive rigg and furrow.

A further 120 acres of arable ground is contracted out for growing barley and wheat which is sold off the farm.

Cartington Hill is in Higher Level Stewardship and already the grazing has improved for the sheep with less bracken and more grasses as a result of the cattle and also some Exmoor ponies that run on the rough ground.  

“I had done a lot of research. We needed a suckler herd and because half the farm is heather hill with rough grass and bracken we needed cattle with bigger mouths that would thrive and outwinter and the choice came down to Galloways or Highland cattle,” said Richard.

“We decided on the Galloways and in 2017 we bought 10 in-calf heifers from the Beanley herd at Hedgley Farms near Powburn where the manager Vicky Hogg has been a great help to us. We have been really fortunate that there a lot of good farmers in the area who have been prepared to share their knowledge with us,” he added.

“I could see that the Galloways would calve on the hill but I hadn’t worked with cattle for about 30 years,” said Clare. “It has been quite easy to get back into handling the Galloways. I’m confident with them. Richard walks around the cows when he’s checking them which helps keep them quiet.”

All the cattle are registered under the Cartington prefix and the Packers have found membership of the Galloway Cattle Society invaluable for getting additional help and advice.

Since then, a Beanley bull, Jacobite has been purchased as well as a Whitebred Shorthorn bull from Adrian and Janice Wheelright’s Longley herd at Kinross  to run with some of the Galloways and a small herd of four Whitebred cows. Six Galloway heifers were purchased  from Michael and Caroline McCornick’s Barquhill herd at Wigtown in 2018.

A further six Galloway heifers and four cows with calves at foot were purchased in 2020 from John Teare’s Ballavair herd on the Isle of Man to run with Jacobite while the other females go to the Whitebred bull.

Last year the first four home-bred Blue Grey heifers were sold at the Newcastleton sale where they averaged £960 a head aged between 14 and 16 months.

Six Belted Galloways females were bought from Hedgeley and a bull from  Michael Wentworth Waites’ Thornthwaite herd of Belted Galloways at Bampton in Cumbria.

Now the suckler herd numbers more than 50 cows, 33 of which are Galloways.

The majority of the herd calves in the spring on the hill with seven or eight calving in the autumn. The cows are rearing 40-60% of their bodyweight at weaning. They are proving to be very fertile 

When the calves are weaned in December they are housed for four months,  fed silage and some cereal mix purchased from a local farmer. They are then extensively grass fed and reared the following summer.

The Galloway steers are finished off grass at between 26-29 months old with the Blue Greys at 24-26 months. All have graded and killed out well.

The cattle inputs are silage, straw which is grown at home, a small amount of feed for the spring calves when they are housed  and vet and med bills. “They are making a real healthy margin. They are not drawing down fixed costs yet because we are still buying cattle and investing in some machinery - last year we bought a bale unwinder as we are trying to target bracken beds on the hill. Ultimately the cattle will clear a profit,” said Richard.

Richard said: “I had always wanted to sell meat direct to the customer. I had the plan but I didn’t know how to do it!  Then by chance I met a local small holder and butcher Lee Gray from The Christmas Farm, Longframlington, who offered to butcher and pack the meat for sale.”

The beef is vacuum packed and sold chilled in boxes of around 11kg with a variety of cuts including joints, steaks, stewing steak and mince

“We sold our first steer in the autumn of 2020 and we have sold several beef boxes as well as lamb since then. We started a Facebook page and we now have about 60 customers and a waiting list for the meat.

“Selling direct has just fallen into place. It’s serendipity - like a lot of things have been for us on this journey,” said Richard.

“It has been a great experience. The customers come to the farm to collect their meat box and they are able to see how the animals are reared. The feedback has been very positive with customers saying they can taste the difference.”

*** The finished cattle are killing out at between 55-60%. Taking all costs into consideration, the Packers are making between 30-40% more margin than selling at the mart, although they intend to sell through the mart as well as direct sales through the year. 

“Selling the meat direct to the customer has to be attractive on many fronts to the customer, not just what is being sold but also the pricing of the product,” said Richard.

“We really wanted to attract people to the product, but also for them  to come along and see the farm and give them a chance to have conversations , to do that we didn’t feel we could give the product a premium price even though we do believe it is a top class product

“We have priced the boxes at £110 and have been reliably told the equivalent would retail for upwards of £180 but our mentality is we are still making a better margin this route and we are having no difficulties in selling our product and generating the conversations, which had been our goal. Its important not to be greedy,” he added. ***

Like the need for the low-input cows, the sheep enterprise has had to change to reduce costs and management and dovetail with the cattle.

The farm used to run a flock of 700 ewes, 400 of which were Mules and Texel crosses which were lambed inside.

Now there are 600 ewes, 300 of which are pure Lleyns. There are 150  Blackface ewes, half of which are bred pure and the remainder go to the Lleyn to generate a Lleyn mule which can run on the hill. These crossbred females go to the New Zealand Texel which the Packers have found to be hardy and easily lambed because of a smaller head.

All the ewes are lambed outside on the pasture fields. Three quarters of the lambs are finished off the farm off grass with the rest sold store with no supplementary feed.

“We used to buy between 16 and 20 tonnes of feed a year for the ewes - last year we purchased four tonnes,” said Richard.

“There are a lot of things we can’t control and looking to the future is a bit of second guessing,” said Richard. “Going with the Galloways surely has to be the right choice. They are grass fed, low cost, productive animals that spend all year outside and because of their non selective grazing they are improving the habitat and the environment. We are also seeing that people are more keen to buy locally grass  reared meat and we believe you can taste the difference”

After 15 years living in the South East of England, Russ Ireland felt the draw of returning home to farm in the Lake District with his family - and he chose Galloway cows to run alongside the Herdwick ewes on the farm’s rough, Open Access land.

Russ is the third generation of is family to farm Newhouse Farm, Drigg, near Holmrook on the west coast of Cumbria since 1948.

The farm extends to around 1,400 acres of mostly marginal land. The majority of the land is sand dune and lowland heath with some saltmarsh - and the Galloways are proving an efficient and environmentally friendly choice.

“I left home at 18 to go to university. After finishing, I moved to the South East of England where I met my wife and started a family,” said Russ, who studied zoology and worked in IT before returning to Cumbria in 2012. 

“After 15 years away from the farm and with young children approaching school age we decided the time was right to move back home and help my dad on the farm. 

“Now able to work on the farm full time, we decided to get some cattle to complement the sheep enterprise. Newhouse Farm was no stranger to Galloway cattle as my dad had a pedigree herd in the 1970s and 80s so it didn’t take much thought as to what breed we should go for!”

Newhouse Farm is home to Russ and his wife Faye and their children Elliot, 11, Chloe 10, and Spencer, seven, who enjoy working alongside Russ’s parents Norman and Beryl.

Russ said: “We needed cattle that would thrive on poor quality grazing, out-winter and require very little maintenance. Galloways tick all the boxes.

“We also wanted cattle that were quiet and easily handled. Our rough grazing land is Open Access land and we get lots of people/dogs on the land so we cannot have wild cattle. Galloways and other native breeds, if handled correctly and with plenty of human contact, are great to deal with.”

While numbers can fluctuate from year to year, the Irelands run around 60 pedigree Galloway cows.

A proportion of the herd is put to a Whitebred Shorthorn bull and the others are put to the Galloway with calving in May and June.

The herd remains on the rough grazing all year round, but they are brought into enclosed pastures for calving.

The Irelands have calved them out on the extensive grazing land but they were difficult to find and they were easily missed in the undulating dune areas. This was taking too much time looking for them so the cows are now kept handy during calving. 

The cows and calves remain out on the rough grazing until February until the calves are weaned and housed for a few months. The cows remain outside.

The Blue Grey and Galloway Bullocks are mostly sold privately at around 16-17 months to regular buyers, some of these are sold to a local fell farmer who grazes the fells around Scafell Pike. Bullocks are also sold occasionally at the Kirkcambeck sale at Longtown.

Blue Grey heifers are also sold at 16-17 months old at Newcastleton. Trade for the Irelands in 2021 was very good but what was most pleasing for the family was that the buyers were return customers.

Galloway heifers, usually in calf, are sold privately or sold at the pedigree sales at Carlisle. 

When it came to purchasing foundation stock for the herd the Irelands looked for animals with the right characteristics for the farm.

Heifers were purchased from a number of herds including Kilnstown, Romesbeoch, Drumhumphry and Barlaes to name a few.

The current stock bull is the home bred bull Newhouse Prince, sired by Top of Kilnstown out of Barlaes Nancy 147th.

“We are really pleased with the way Prince has bred. His offspring have proven to be very smart with great skins and plenty of character. His daughters, Molly and Sarah 3rd recently taking best pair of calving heifers and Molly champion female at the Carlisle Autumn Sale. Our only problem is that we are limited on the number of cows we can use him on.

“We added Ace of Whitehill to the herd which we purchased at the Carlisle 2021 Spring Sale. We ran him with a handful of heifers this past summer but next year we plan to use him with more cows. We are excited to see how he breeds.

“Top of Kilnstown was our first stock bull and he has bred some fantastic daughters, many of which we have retained in the herd and they are full of the traits we were after.

“Up to now, these have been put to a Whitebred Shorthorn bull but it will be nice to see how Ace gets with them.

Herd numbers are at their optimum so the concentration now is on breeding quality into the herd.

A lot of females have been retained in the herd and Russ is pleased with what has been bred at Newhouse.

The emphasis is on many of the traditional traits in the Galloway breeding such as a thick brown coat and good square head but Russ says attaining these traits does not mean the cattle should be small and “old fashioned”. The aim is to breed a good sized animal, good on its feet with plenty of character. 

“We are really pleased with the way the cattle have done, in terms of the land they have reduced the rank grasses, in turn improving the grazing for the sheep. The cattle are very mobile and can move around a great deal,” said Russ.

“We have an estuary that runs through the land and the cattle think nothing of crossing through it even swimming it at high tides which is very nerve racking if you happen to witness it!”

The Galloways complement the bought-in Herdwick draft ewes, which are put to the Texel and the gimmers are retained.

The first crosses are put back to the Texel and the Texel cross Herdwicks do well on the rough grazing land and rear good lambs. A proportion of lambs are sold finished straight off grass, the rest are sold store.

The farm is in a Higher Level Stewardship scheme which is coming to an end.

“I am concerned about how the imminent changes to the support available to us will impact us, both financially and in terms of how we manage the land.

“Probably like a lot of farmers, I am concerned with the direction the policies are going in that there is too much emphasis on ‘re-wilding’ and ‘nature recovery’ and not enough thought on national food security, traditional livestock farming practices and the rural communities they contribute to. 

He said: “We are very limited by the marginal land we have. We try to be as efficient as possible by keeping costs down and we try to make the best of what we produce and sell.

“Farmers traditionally re-invest any profits back into their businesses; if farm incomes are reduced then all those industries that feed off farmers will have to take a hit as well.

“It’s really good to see that livestock has been a good trade for the last couple of years but it’s only where it should be. Over the last few decades our costs have gone up astronomically, but the price we got for our livestock has gone up relatively little. Let’s hope the trend we have seen the last couple of years continue and we get a decent price for our produce.”

Native cattle have proved to be the right choice for the Ireland family and Russ can see why other producers have also been convinced:

“Aside from the stewardship schemes that promote native breeds I think one of the main reasons is that native breeds are more sustainable, low input, low maintenance than some of the continental breeds.

“The bigger continental breeds take more looking after. It’s ok having massive calves but you have to get them out alive and there are costs associated with that such as caesareans and the impact on the cow. We haven’t had to assist with a calving for the past two years. The calves are usually up and sucking in very little time.

“Native breeds also taste better. Many large meat processors seem to have lost touch with the slow maturing, grass fed process that native breeds follow. The breed itself and the feeding make native breeds tastier and more flavoursome. I know a number of local butchers and farm shops that only sell meat from native breed cattle,” he added.