Growing demand for hardy, low maintenance Galloway cattle attracted an additional nine new buyers to the breed's spring sale at Castle Douglas, ensuring a buoyant trade throughout, where females sold to a record breaking 12,500gns and averages improved in all sections.
The event, which was staged a month later than normal in the hope that the current Covid-19 restrictions would have been eased, was also slightly smaller than usual, like all breed sales.
Those who did decide to sell through the live auction ring, which included an online bidding facility, were nevertheless well rewarded for waiting that extra month, with the Finlay family – John and Ann and son Iain – from Blackcraig, Corsock, enjoying a rip-roaring trade.
Not only did they sell the record priced female at 12,500gns but also a further four at big money, to average a colossal £7224 for five.
Their bulls were also in the money, selling to 7000gns and 6500gns.
Topping the trade and surpassing the previous best of 8500gns paid for the Galloway female Penninghame Susan, which sold with her heifer calf at the herd dispersal in 2015, was Blackcraig Fay. A September 2018-born entry, she is by Blackcraig Vagrant, which boasts Canadian genetics on both sides being a son of Glenfiddich Brodie and bred from Diamond B Adelaide 5L.
Her dam, a previous home-bred dam by Blackcraig Sam, is bred from Fay 22 of Auchenhay. Fay sold served to Blackcraig Yahoo, to new breeder, Catherine MacGregor, Blair Drummond, who was most impressed by the heifer after taking photographs of her for the family's social media site at Blackcraig.
Blackcraig Joan from the Finlays sold for 7500gns Ref:RH060321616 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
The Finlays sold most of the lead priced females and received 7500gns for Blackcraig Joan, a similarly aged daughter of Blackcraig Xtreme, bred from a previous home-bred Joan by FinMac Norseman. She also sold due to Blackcraig Yahoo and to another new breeder in Cam Barnett, Corsock.
Blackcraig Impreza from the Finlays sold for 5200gns Ref:RH060321618 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
The same buyer also went to 5200gns and 4600gns twice for heifers from the Finlays. Dearest was Blackcraig Impreza, another September 2018-born entry served to Yahoo. She is by Blackcraig Vagrant and bred from the bought in Troloss Impreza, a Blackcraig Rasputin-sired cow bred from Highland Princess of Whitehill.
Blackcraig Diana, another Blackcraig Vagrant daughter, and Blackcraig Bertha, by Jock of Balgray, both sold served to Yahoo and at 4600gns each to Mr Barnett.
Blackcraig Bugsy Malone from the Finlay family sold for 7000gns Ref:RH060321614 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Adding to the celebrations, Blackcraig sold the third highest priced bull at 7000gns when Bugsy Malone, made 7000gns selling to Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow. This 18-month-old boy is by Nucamp of Balgray, the best junior bull at the 2018 Highland Show, and bred from the Blackcraig Vagrant daughter, Blackcraig Noreen.
The Finlays sold Blackcraig Big Bear for 6500gns Ref:RH060321613 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Minutes later, Blackcraig Big Bear, a similarly aged bull by the Blackcraig Vagabond son, Blackcraig Yahoo, made 6500gns selling to Stewart and Katherine McIntosh, Borthwickshiels, Roberton, Hawick. His dam, Blackcraig Blondchen, is by Blackcraig Sam.
On the debit side, the Finlays went to 4200gns for Peter Hunter Blair's Countess Adele of Nether Cleugh from Nether Cleugh, Corsock. This October 2018-born heifer is by the Beanley Equinox son, X of Nether Cleugh and bred from Countess Winnie of Nether Cleugh, by Blackcraig Tom Tom. She sold served to Bronx of Nether Cleugh.
leading the bulls at 11,000gns was Kirkstead Commodore from The McClymonts Ref:RH060321611 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Second top price was 11,000gns paid for Alan McClymont and sons Sam and Oli's Kirkstead Commodore, from Kirkstead, Yarrow. This 30-month-old bull is by the Ronaldo of Fingland son, Kirkstead Vindicator and out of the Penninghame Major daughter, Kirkstead Quebec Y9. Used successfully at home, he sold to Robbie Galloway, buying for the Cardrona herd from Doune.
Females from Kirkstead also sold well peaking at 4300gns for Kirkstead Bondchen C3, another 21/2-year-old this time by Troloss Impeccable – the sire of the 16,000gns Kirkstead Commander sold last year. Northern Ireland breeder, Dessie Hendry, Ballymena was the final bidder on this entry bred from Kirkstead Vindicator daughter, Kirkstead Blondchen W4 and due to Kirkstead Taurus.
Ben Lomond Dalmore from Duncan Maxwell sold 7200gnsRef:RH060321609 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Society chairman, Duncan Maxwell had a good day at the office too when Ben Lomond Dalmore, from Blairvockie, Drymen, made 7200gns, selling down to Exmoor Forest Farm, Simonsbath. A rising two-year-old son of Wipa of Romesbeoch, he is bred from Ben Lomond Ribena, a Blackcraig Lunatic daughter.
Wallace Family sold Dynamite of Over Barskeoch for 5200gns Ref:RH060321607 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Next best amongst the bulls was 5200gns paid for Messrs Wallace's Dynamite of Over Barskeoch, a 16-month-old son of Amadeus of Over Barskeoch, a Penninghame Windfall son that sold to Germany. His dam, Uptown Alice of Over Barskeoch, a heifer, boasts similar genetics. The buyer was CJ Baird, Laughtmuirside.
Heifers from Jim and Selina Scott and family's Romesbeoch herd from Shawhead, Dumfries, peaked at 4000gns twice.
First at this money was the October 2018-born Kalinka 2159 of Romesbeoch, by Penninghame Windward, bred from a previous home-bred Kalinka. She sold to Stirling-based 3G – a trio of breeders comprising Dennis Gall and James and Andrew Graham, Blair Drummond.
Later, Lady Diana 2180 of Romesboech, a two-year-old heifer, made the same money selling to B Huey, Ballymoney. She is by the German sire, Holsten Oder.
Averages: 16 bulls, £4477.19 (+£277.19 for three less); 25 in-calf heifers, £3717 (+£1396.00 for 14 more); nine bulling heifers, £2460 (+£328.00 for 25 fewer).
Auctioneers: Wallets Marts
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here