Local MSP for the South of Scotland Emma Harper hailed the recent Galloway World Conference of the Galloway Cattle Society as a great success and an important showcase for the Galloway breed of cattle and for the region itself.
The event ran between 5th and 10th August and took an estimated 2 and half years to plan, being the largest Congress to date with nearly 250 delegates from 16 countries.
Emma said:
“Many people automatically think of the Belted Galloway, but the Galloway breed, which includes the beltie, has been in existence for a long time and is one of the most ancient of our native cattle breeds and one of the hardiest and most economical to manage.
“I’m particularly pleased that the 11th and largest Annual Congress of the Galloway Cattle Society was held in our region – the home of the breed – and that it attracted 250 delegates from 16 countries.
“Events such as this both help to promote native cattle breeds, which is important in itself given that many are, like the Galloways, particularly well-suited to farming in our climate and very environmentally friendly too, and they also do their bit to bring our region to a wider audience at the same time.
“I was welcomed by everyone I spoke to when I attended one of the Congress’s farm visits, which was held at Shancastle Farm near Moniaive, last Tuesday. The effort that had been put into making the whole event a success was obvious and everyone involved should be congratulated on their efforts.”
