F&M restock for Galloways
F&M restock for Galloways
GALLOWAY cattle breeders had their first chance to restock after foot-and-mouth when they gathered in Castle Douglas for the breed societys show and sale last week.
Prices reached 5000gns, and an encouraging lift in the average price proved that Galloway breeders want to remain loyal.
The 29 heifers, both in-calf and suckling calves, averaged £819 (a lift of £252), while 23 bulling heifers added £388 to last years average and levelled at £936. The 15 bulls averaged £1295.
Top call came for the November 1999-bred heifer Blackcraig Noreen H6 from R and * Finlay, Corsock, Castle Douglas. She is by Glenkiln Dynamite, one of the breeds most successful sires of recent times, and out of a dam by the Canadian import Diamond B Cosmo.
Noreen H6 heads south to Semington, Wilts and the herd of SK and S Brown.
The Buchanan-Jardine family have been noted stockbreeders on their Castle Milk estate in south-west Scotland for generations, and last week collected the award for the best group of three heifers.
Among the trio was Lady Diana 10th of Corrie, a daughter of Barfil Bombadier and out of a cow by Barlaes Trojan. She had been running with Perlooie Spitfire and will be a foundation female for restocking Messrs Rosss famous Romesbeoch herd at Dumfries. She made 4700gns.
The Browns were keen to secure some of the choicest heifers and invested another 2600gns in Anne 19th of High Creoch from G and K Gilligan, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas. This April 1999 bred heifer, which collected the female championship, is by Winston of Reddings and had been running with Zocor of High Creoch.
Matching the 2600gns call was J R Ward of Murtholm and Co, Langholm, Dumfries whose bid topped the bull trade to claim Hardy of Ashfield. This two-year-old son of Lochdochart Gaberlunzie was bred and paraded by W Maclean, Oban.
Also at 2600gns was Favourite Hannah of Nether Cleugh from P Hunter Blairs herd, Castle Douglas. Buyers were Landale and Co, Dalswinton, Auldgirth (Wallets Marts). *