Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Posted: **Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:17 pm**

DIRECTIONS TO BREOCH PARK FROM A75

M6 follow A74 which becomes M74

First exit after motorway status signed A75 to Dumfries, Stranraer

Continue on A75 until Little Chef roundabout Turn LEFT to Dumfries. (this is the first ‘Dumfries’ turning)

Straight over mini roundabout
Straight over 2nd mini roundabout

3rd. mini roundabout turn LEFT signed Solway Coast continue under bridge to Morrison supermarket roundabout

Turn LEFT at Morrison roundabout.

Straight in up to traffic lights at St. Michael’s church (where Robert Burns is buried)
Take middle lane drive straight on at the lights, taking the LEFT lane and driving straight up the hill to the next set of lights (Halfords on left).

Straight over this set of lights and continue till you come to a T junction.
Turn LEFT at ‘T’ junction towards New Abbey and Solway Coast

Keep on this road which is fairly ‘bendy’ through the village of Islesteps (very bad corner over bridge) keep on the main road for a further 2 miles or so, passing Mabie forest and Mabie House Hotel entrance on right. Just as the road
bends to the left and it begins to climb. (House on left called Gillfoot) –

just after Gillfoot Take the LEFT fork between 2 white gate posts set well back from the main road – Kirkconnell Avenue.

2 Miles along this road there are sandstone gate posts to Kirkconnell House, remain on the road and continue going uphill, left-hand bend and then a bad right-hand bend (impossible to see if anything is coming round corner and the road is narrow)

Just after the right-hand bend turn LEFT signposted (using car number plates ) to ‘The Park and Airds Farm only’ this road is flat initially then, soon after a bad left hand corner a steep hill with a bad corner halfway up.
Take LEFT turn (the first and only left turn) to ‘The Park’ (about half a mile beyond previous turning) and keep going …. You’ve arrived!

v

Posted: **Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:13 am**

Hello Jo

Just a quick post to say I hope you all have a lovely day, the weather is kind to you and that lots of people manage to get to you down those tricky little lanes. I thought the Welsh lanes were bad enough !!

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:57 am**

Well, how did the day go? There has been a deathly silence from all participants since and I am sure I am not the only one who couldn't get there who'd love to know. Or is this our punishment for being pathetic and not making the effort?

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:51 am**

No punishment Sylvia just hectic living!
I believe it went very well indeed. 20 society members came with about 26 locals, mostly farmers.
We looked at the cattle, 24 including followers, and everyone, including the commercial boys, was complimentary about their condition. The day was absolutely beautiful so a barbecue with dexter sausages was kept busy. We did a tasting ... strips of frying steak from a) a dexter heifer over 3 years old and b) 3/4 dexter:1/4 hereford steer under 24 months.
The flavours were similar but the older, pure-bred animal was much more tender which flew against popular belief that the younger animal should be softer. Both animals were hung for 3 weeks.
Our bull, Breoch Sultan was inspected for the stage 2 of the Elite scheme and 6 of his offspring....more were seen out in the field.
We still have not had the result of course but the running commentary, explaining the points being checked and looked for was most informative for all present.
Slight concern as he is not tracking up fully with near hind...last month an Angus bull got into the field next to his (both fields ours!) and Sultan negotiated the electric fence to remove him. Sultan was then (according to the deep scores in the field) pushed and pummelled round the 10 acres until two stobs on the fence gave way and he was pushed and rolled out. His rival was held by the barbed wire. We are lucky he is still alive. He looks fine in the field but certainly on the day and on hard ground he favoured the leg. We shall see whether it is OK before the Yorkshire Show.
In the discussion afterwards we looked at cross-breeding for size and commercial viability, especially for those who needed to sell their young stock as 'stores' owing to poor ground. We also talked about the implications of the genetics programme.
Apart from the farm being MUCH less tidy than I had hoped, I think is was a successful day for all .... the locals liked my Shetland sheep! This because they now see their colleagues buying shetlands to crossbreed. Interesting.
Jo

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:38 pm**

Thanks Jo

I'm so glad all your hard work was rewarded with a good turn out and getting the commercial lot in was a bit of a coup I'd have thought. Sorry to hear your bull has had a tough time I hope there is no permanent damage done. Interesting to hear that the over 3 year old Dexter tasted good, I've got 2 X 4 year olds going next week. And well done the Shetlands, mine were sheared yesterday, hadn't the heart to turn them back out in all the rain we are having so they are still in the barn demanding that hay racks are filled and water buckets replenished just when they decide it is necessary. No peace for the wicked. :p

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:19 pm**

mine still in full-ish fleece. Feeling a bit down as just had to put down a much loved, half thoroughbred pony. 26 year old but until a couple of days ago very fit, if a bit thin. Gut probs so brought her in yesterday and got the vet today. Probably cancer causing a blockage. One moment a lovely head nuzzling you and the next ... if you have livestock, you have dead stock, I know., Jo

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:02 am**

So sorry to hear that Jo. We lost our gorgeous Great Dane a while back and I miss him desperately. I guess you have to think positively and console yourself with the knowledge that they had a long and happy life as part of your family.

I hand shear my shetlands. They are looking ridiculous at the moment, some sheared, some not (mostly due to lousy weather)

Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Directions to Breoch Park