The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Heifer breed record-breaker
Anew breed record price of 12,500gn was paid for a Galloway heifer at the breed’s spring sale at Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas.
It was for the 30-monthold in-calf Blackcraig Fay A899 which was bought by agricultural photographer Catherine MacGregor from Harestone, West Rossburnlane Farm, Stirling. Fay A899 is by Blackcraig Vagrant and out of Blackcraig Fay.
The vendors – John, Ann and Iain Finlay from Blackcraig, Corsock, Castle Douglas – had one of the most successful days, selling two bulls and five heifers for £50,000.
The high prices for their Blackcraig herd continued with a 7,500gn bid for Blackcraig Joan A925, which sold to new purchaser Cameron Barnett, Halfmark Farm, Corsock, who also bought Blackcraig Impreza A912 for 5,200gn.
The five Blackcraig heifers averaged 6,880gn while their bulls, Bugsy Malone, a Nucamp of Balgray son sold for 7,000gn to Allan McClymont, Kirkstead, and Big Bear sold for 6,500gn to Messrs S& K McIntosh, Borthwickshiels, Roberton.
The 16 bulls sold were in demand and were topped at 11,000gn for Kirkstead Commodore, a September 2018 bull which was brought out by Allan McClymont from Kirkstead, Yarrow, Selkirk, and bought by Robbie Galloway for his Cardona herd at Doune, Perthshire.
Blackcraig then bought Countess Adele of Nether Cleugh from Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh, Corsock, for 4,200gn.
Society chairman Duncan Maxwell had a good day at the office when 23-month-old Ben Lomond Dalmore sold for 7,200gn to Exmoor Forest Farms, Simonsbath,
A 5,200gn bid for Dynamite of Over Barskeoch saw this November 2019 bull from Messrs Wallace of Hannaston, Dalry, heading for Thornhill after being bought by CJ Baird of Laughtmuirside Farm, Thornhill.
The Ross Family from Romesbeoch, Shawhead, sold two heifers for 4,000gn – Kalinda 2159 of Romesbeoch sold to Dennis Gall of Boquhan Home Farm, Stirling, and Lady Diana 2180 of Romesbeoch, went to Messrs Huey, Armoy, Ballymoney.
Averages: Bulls, 16 £4,477.19 (+£277.19 on the year); in-calf heifers, 25, £3,717 (+£1,396); bulling heifers, nine, £2,460 (+£328).