| ABOUT
THE BELTED GALLOWAY BREED
Belted
Galloways have been bred in Scotland for many years with their
origin obscured in the mists of cattlemens' folklore. They
have the same general characteristics as the sold coloured
Galloway but are noted for the broad belt of white coat that
encircles their bodies.
Belted
Galloways are regarded as having a superior milking quality.
This milking ability may be the clue to their origin. In the
northern areas of Holland noble families bred a fine milking
cow, the Lakenfeld. This has a broad white belt similar to
the Belted Galloway.
The
Lakenfeld was imported to the USA in 1840 by PT Barnum, of
circus and Wild Bill Hickock fame. In 1909 the Dutch Belted
Catlle Association was incorporated in New Jersey and registered
cattle were black with a white belt.
Herds
of black Galloway cattle have been managed by the British
Royal families for many centuries. It is not inconceivable
that when William of Orange came from Holland to take the
English throne in 1689, some Lakenfeld milking cows were imported
and a crossing with solid Galloways provided the genetic basis
for the Belted Galloway.
The
white belt is inherited as a dominant trait just like the
white face of Herefords. The belt can be expressed over all
solid colours, black, dun, red and even silver dun in which
case the belt can only be distinguished by the pigment variation
of the skin. The most popular Belted Galloway is the black
where the contrast of black and white is so distinctive and
attractive.
Apart
from the unique attractiveness of the coat colours, Belted
Galloways have the same valuable qualities of carcass type,
hardiness and fertility for which Galloways are renowned.
They also have the ability to mark crosses with other breeds
which permits ready identification. Crossing over red cattle
of the red centre of Australia to produce white belts or patches
has made air mustering much easier. The Hereford cross will
produce a black baldy with a distinctive white belt or patch.
Belted
Galloway Characteristics
Two Stud
Heifers |
Longevity
Belted Galloways are known for their longevity - many
are reputed to have lived for 17-20 years.
Hardiness
The Belted Galloway's heavy double hair coat means that
heat loss is reduced in the cold, winter feed costs
are significantly less and rain barely penetrates in
cold wet weather. The coat has about 4000 hairs to the
square inch, making it resistant to severe cold.
Belties
have been used on stations with an annual rainfall as
low as 150mm and, with their superior foraging abilities,
they have have thrived in these harsh pastoral conditions.
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Adaptability
Belties are able to adapt to a variety of climatic conditions.
As good foragers they thrive where other breeds fail.
Their coats are shed in hot weather, making them a highly
adaptable and versatile breed for a variety of conditions.
High
Fertility
The Belted Galloway is an extremely fertile breed. Cows
are long lived, regular breeders and noted for their
ability to produce healthy well nourished calves at
weaning, even in the harshest of conditions. Some Belted
Galloways produce two separate calves in one year. One
cow in Australia has even produced three sets of twins
in a row.
Easy
Calving
Belted Galloways are know for their ease of calving,
producing a live calf every year. |
Barrington Alice born October
05 |
Clan McLaren
Michaela & calf Peppercorn Shasta born January 97 |
Excellent
Mothering
Cows are renowned for their mothering ability, producing
enough rich milk to wean large and healthy calves.
Docility
- easy handling and easy care
Belted Galloway breeders report that their animals calve
easily, have a high calf survival and rebreed early
Naturally
Polled
The Beltie Breed is naturally polled and, when crossed
with another breed, the growth of horns is prevented
in virtually all cases. |
| Disease
Resistant
The Belted Galloway breed evolved in a harch environment
resulting in high disease resistance and an ability
to survive in the toughest conditions. Breeders find
their cattle are more resitant to pink eye, insects
and foot problems than many other breeds.
Feed
Conversion Efficiency
Tests have shown that the Galloway requires the least
amount of feed per kilogram of weight gain making them
efficient feed converters. Tests conducted in Germany
have revelaed that they consume more varieties of flora
than any other breed.
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Peppercorn Xtra and mates
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Excellent
Beef Qualities
A research study conducted at the University of Guelph
in Canada has shown that Belted Galloway beef has very
low total fat content (about 2%) and saturated fat content
(1%). This is similar in fat content to chicken and
fish so it fits well with a healthy diet. Galloway
beef is exceptionally tender, full of flavour and juicy.
It won the 2003 Sydney Royal Show "Beef Taste Test".
Data collected in the USA has shown that the beef dresses
out at 60-62% of live weight, making it a very profitable
breed.
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Statistics
Mature Bull: averages between 815kgs and
955kgs
Cow: averages between 400kgs and 600kgs
New born heifers: between 23kgs and 28kgs
Bull calf: between 25kgs and 30 kgs
Beltie calves weaned at 205 days are about 50% of their
mother's weight
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