averages: 18 bulls, £3838 (+£1068 for three less); 2- in-calf heifers, £1895 (+£407 for six more); 27 bulling heifers, £1846 (-£477 for 15 more).

A COMBINATION of new buyers, and buyers from overseas made for a strong, steady trade for Galloway cattle and the spring sale, where trade peaked at 10,000gns for the best of the bulls.

Averages were mixed, but for more cattle sold, and Wallets Marts managing director Robin Anderson was positive about he sale. He said: “There was a sound trade throughout, and good quality cattle were well bid for.

“One or two new buyers helped things, and there seems to be a lot of interest in the breed, which is very encouraging.”

Leading the way in the price stakes was Kirkstead Yeoman, a September-2016 bull from Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow. Heading home with father and son duo, John and Jonjo Pattinson from Hotbank, Hexham to join their herd of 35 Galloways, Yeoman marks Kirkstead’s top price sale, and their first time topping the spring sale since 1999.

He is by Troloss Impeccable, who was champion at the spring show in 2015, and his mother was home-bred cow, Kirkstead Nancy.

Next best, at 8000gns was the days’ show overall male champion from Troloss Farms, Elvanfoot. Brought out by Dennis Gall, Louise Allen, Kelly Blackwood and Jenny Devine, Troloss Legend kicked off a successful days trading for Troloss.

By Blackcraig Dec and out of Troloss Inka, he went south with Jason and Sarah Wareham for their herd of 20 Galloway cows at Little Tottingham, Broadoak.

Also from Troloss was the days’ overall female champion, Carley 1 of Troloss, an April-2016 born heifer that went on to sell for 3500gns to Hors Kraft, Am Lohe, Ottrau, Germany. Carley is also by Dec, and her dam is Highland Princess of Whitehill.

One of the days higher priced bulls also found a home with Hors Kraft, with Robert and Valerie Marshall from Potts of Rayne, Meikle Wartle sending Strathurr Yogi off to Germany for 5000gns.

Full Blackcraig breeding – by Vagabond and out of Blackcraig Bertha – this 17-month-old bull was brought out by Ashley Marshall.

Father and son team Duncan and David Maxwell also enjoyed a successful day, selling Ben Lomond Avatar for 6500gns. From the Maxwell’s herd of 35 Galloways, he is by Carslae Eddie and out of home-bred cow Ben Lomond Real Beauty.

He was knocked down to well-known breeder, Stewart McIntosh, for his herd at Outer Huntly, Ashkirk.

A few lots later, Andrew Waugh of Kilnstown, Bewcastle saw 17-month-old bull Yorkshire of Kilnstown go for 4500gns. By Buccleuch Adonis, his mother was Edna 48 of Kilnstown, also the dam of Ruler of Kilnstown, who topped the same sale in 2011.

Yorkshire found a new home with Andrew Tullie, Bowanhill, Teviothead.

Two bulls were then knocked down at 4000gns. First up was Maximillian of Balgray from David and Rosemary Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie. The reserve overall male champion from the show, he is by Ballavair Black Magic and out of Barlaes Grace 80.

He made his way home with Michael McCornick, and sons William, Mark and Robbie, to their herd at Barquill, Wigtown.

Selling for the same price to Peter Hunter-Blair and son Andrew of Nether Cleugh, Dalry, was Blackcraig Ynot, from John and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock. This fully home-bred bull is by Blackcraig Vagabond and out of Blackcraig Dusty Q315.

Back over in the females, the Finlay family had a successful day in the sale ring, with three of their heifers getting the three top female prices, and all heading to the same home with brand new breeders Derek and Katie Cowie.

Leading the charge was Blackcraig Berth X664, going for 5500gns. This two-year-old heifer is from the first crop of calves by Blackcraig Vagabond, a bull imported as an embryo from Canada. Her mother, Blackcraig Bertha S375 is from one of the oldest female bloodlines on the farm.

Also heading home with the Cowies, who have recently bought Polston Farm, at the Mill, Invercrynoch, and who were at their first ever sale buying their first ever stock, was Blackcraig Blondchen X623.

Going for 5000gns, Blondchen is sired by Blackcraig Superman, and out of Blondchen 3 of Auchenhay. She was sold having ran with Jock of Balgray.

Knocked down to the Cowies for 3500gns, was Blackcraig Noreen X652. This September-2015 born heifer is by Blackcraig Sid, the bull that won the Royal Highland show in 2016 and 2017, and that took the top award at the National Show in 2016. Her mother is Blackcraig Noreen T432.

Also sold having run with Jock of Balgray was Blackcraig Dusty X666. Selling for 3000gns, to Rob Evans, of Dale Cottage Farm Wessington Lane, South Wingfield, this two-year-old is by Blackcraig Sid and out of Blackcraig Dusty M178.

At 2800gns was another from the Finlay family, Blackcraig Noreen X667. This October-2015 born heifer is by Blackcraig Sam and her mother was Blackcraig Noreen U456. She heads over the water to Ireland with Martin Boone, 49 Blackrock Road, Cookstown.

Robert McTurk and his mother Mrs Margaret Ferguson had a good day in the un-led heifer section, with their Barlaes herd, from Glenhowl, Dalry. Barlaes Nancy 167 not only won the days un-led section, but she went on to take the reserve overall female title.

She then topped the unhaltered section of the sale, going for 2700gns to Ursala and Olaf Hasenbein, Germany. Her sire is Barlaes JFK and she is out of Barlaes Nancy 108.

Auctioneers: Wallets Marts