Galloway Beef project goes global

The Galloway Cattle Society is looking for two young people to send on a once in a lifetime learning journey to Australia. 

The prize is a trip to the Galloway World Congress, taking place in Melbourne from 28^th September to 3^rd October this year. The Society is looking for one inspirational young farmer with an interest in Galloways plus one young supply chain partner, such as a young butcher or chef, who are keen to capitalise on the opportunity of a paid trip to the World Congress to see how Galloways are reared down under.  The goal of the learning journey is to encourage an interest in Galloways and to add to the knowledge base of young Galloway farmers and supply chain partners in Scotland. The learning journey competition is being run as part of the Society’s Defining Galloway Beef project during Scotland’s Year of Young People, and the project is part funded by Dumfries and Galloway’s LEADER programme. 

Chair of the Galloway Cattle Society, John Finlay, said:

“Dumfries & Galloway might be the home of the Galloway but the popularity of the breed is global and we’re keen to unlock that international learning and experience of this breed and bring it back to Scotland to inspire and educate young people within our industry. It’s important that young farmers in our region don’t take for granted the fantastic attributes of Galloways, so to see the breed being valued and managed in different climates and landscapes is important in making sure we don’t lose sight of how important our own native cattle are. This project is a super opportunity to inspire the next generation of young farmers and our supply chain partners, so I’m delighted to now invite applications to this competition.“ 

The trip is the second in a series of three international learning journeys designed to inspire and upskill farmers’ under 30 who have an interest in the Galloway breed. Andrew Hunter Blair from Dalry (pictured) who took part in the Denver Cattle Show said:

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I would encourage anybody with an interest in Galloways to apply for one of these learning journeys.  We learned a great deal on our trip, and it was interesting to see the similarities as well as the differences in grading and stock handling.  For example, I found it very interesting to learn about the American meat grading system and seeing another country’s ideas of what they look for in a beef animal.”

The competition is open to any young person aged between 18-30 years who is actively working within the farming or beef supply chain industries.  Application forms are available from the Society who can be contacted on info@gallowaycattlesociety.co.uk. 

For further information please contact Dorothy Goldie, Secretary of Galloway Cattle Society on: info@gallowaycattlesociety.co.uk or 07730 143976.