A family-run farm famous for its Galloway cattle and large flock of Cheviot sheep
The farm is famous for its Galloway cattle and Brecknock Hill Cheviot sheep, and has been run by the family for more than 165 years
Galloway cattle herd
Galloway cattle were introduced to the estate by the McTurk family, ancestors of the current owners, who moved down from Scotland in the middle of the 19th century.
Galloway cattle herd
Galloway cattle were introduced to the estate by the McTurk family, ancestors of the current owners, who moved down from Scotland in the middle of the 19th century.
About the Cnewr Galloways
The estate has around hundred Galloway cows which we run with a Galloway bull to provide our Galloway replacements or a white Shorthorn bull for our Blue-Grey repacements. The majority are spring calving with the cows being wintered on the hill (1000ft – 2500ft).
We also have forty Blue-Grey or Angus X cows which run with Charolais bulls.
As a rule all our replacements are homebred, however in 2012, Galloway heifers were bought from Barlaes and Hedgeley Farms to augment the existing herd. Bulls purchased in the last twenty years include Penninghame Overlord (grand-sire Diamond B Knockout 1K), who bred some beautiful females. Harry Redknapp of Fingland was bought for 3,500gns and worked well for us over the years.. His sire, Kirkmabreck Monarch has also sired Coldplay of Fingland sold for 11,000gns and Barack Obama of Fingland who was sold for 10,500gns. Samson of Romesbeoch (grand-sire Diamond B Desert Storm) was also a very successful stock bull for us.
X Factor of Fingland is our current stock bull and has worked very well for us over the last few years.
Cheviot sheep flock
The estate has a total flock of around 6,000 Cheviot ewes grazing the hills around the Cray Valley.
Cheviot sheep flock
The estate has a total flock of around 6,000 Cheviot ewes grazing the hills around the Cray Valley.
About the Cheviot flock
Our sheep enterprise extends to 6,000 Brecknock Hill Cheviots managed in various flocks running across the Estate from the lower ground up to 2,500ft.
In 2012 we started selling some shearlings in Lockerbie every October. Our first ram into the ring was Cnewr Ambassador. He made £16,000 – the second highest price ever for the breed – selling to Hislop and Skelfhill. The second ram made £4,000 selling to Catslack, who bred Catslack Welsh Choice, who sired both the rams. The average sale price for our six rams was £3,741, the highest average ever achieved for South Country Hill Cheviots. In 2013 seven rams were forwarded to the sale and we had another tremendous day, selling to a top of £7,500 for Cnewr Benefactor (sired by Potholm Blaze), who was purchased by Stirkfield Farms. The average for the seven was £1,957, the second highest of the day.
We still send a few rams to Lockerbie every Autumn and they are normally in great demand. We hold an annual draft sale on our farm every September to sell our remaining rams, draft ewes and lambs.
Annual Cheviot sheep sale
Cnewr Estate is famous for its annual Cheviot sheep sale.
Our 2023 Sale will be held on Thursday 21st September 2023.