Galloways peak at 2,600gns at Borderway Mart

Pedigree Galloways peaked at 2,600gns twice at their spring show and sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Top price was paid for a bulling heifer from Robert McTurk, Dalry, Castle Douglas. Barlaes Robina 28^th claimed the championship under judge judge Norman Kyle in the pre-sale show. The 10-month-old is sired by Barack Obama of Fingland. Buyer was D Weeks, Pontllanffraith, Blackwood.

Mr Weeks also paid 26,00gns for another Barlaes consignment. Born in April 2012 Barlaes Brownie 27th is another Barack Obama daughter.

It was a fantastic day for Mr McTurk who was also awarded the reserve rosette for his heifer Barlaes Grace 80^th. She too is sired by Barack Obama and is out of a homebred dam.  She sold to D and R Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie for 2,300gns.

All three consignments were bred by Messrs R and M Fergusson.

Bulls topped at 1,700gns for the third prize, April-2012 born Merlin of High Creoch from Gordon and Kathleen Gilligan, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire. Sired by Septimus of Tweedshaws he is out of the Craigmuie Venice daughter Querida 25^th of High Creoch. Buyer was J Thornton, Wingate, Co Durham.

Second best at 1,500gns was Mountbenger Fabio from JF Irving and Son, Selkirk.

Sired by Braveheart of Gall-Way he is out of Penninghame Paula. He sold to Ardwall Farms, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas.

At the same money was the reserve champion Beanley Defiance from J Carr-Ellison, Alnwick, Northumberland. This Penninghame Nipper son sold to J A Robinson, Middleton in Teesdale, Co Durham.

The champion male was awarded to Ballavair Black Diamond from Isle of Man based John Teare. This Klondyke Powerplay son sold for 1,100gns to Lochenkit Farm Partnership, Bettyknowes, Crocketford, Dumfries.

Averages: seven bulls, £1282.50; seven in-calf heifers, £1111.50; 23 bulling heifers £1,454; and one cow,  £892.50.

(H&H)