Belted Galloway
Cattle Breed History and Attributes
Sources:
Belted Galloway Society
The Galloway Cattle and Beef Marketing Association
Belted Galloway cattle
inspires many questions about their origins. With black, red or
dun color sandwiched about a white middle, they are familiarly
known as 'Belties' among breeders of the animals. Though references
to 'sheeted' cattle occur in literature and art as early as the
11th Century, the Belted Galloway's first recorded history indicates
that they developed during the 16th Century in the former Galloway
district of Scotland, a rugged and hilly seacoast region where
hardiness was necessary for survival.
According to the "The
Galloway Cattle and Beef Marketing Association"
this distinctively marked, hardy breed of beef cattle originated
in the Galloway area of southwestern Scotland. The bleak, austere,
rough hill country origin of the "Beltie" breed has
resulted in hardy cattle with characteristics which adapt readily
to tough Australian conditions. The breed is known to have existed
for over three hundred years, and its exact origins are lost in
the mists of time.
The British Isles then and now raised solid-colored, polled, shaggy-coated
Galloway cattle generally considered to have evolved from an early
Celtic breed. Precisely when and where selective breeding of the
Belted variety of Galloway began is shrouded in mystery, though
theories abound.
It has been stated by some authorities that belted, or sheeted,
cattle in England go back to the age of Charles II, although they
are first mentioned in Scotland in the latter part of the 18th
Century. The polled characteristic of Galloways sets them apart
from every other breed, they being derived from the original British
polled cattle of antiquity.
Although it is impossible to affirm with certainty whether Belted
Galloways were bred from cattle imported to Britain or native
cattle, or a combination of the two, the logical conclusion is
that they originated from a cross of Black Galloways with Dutch
Belted. Though no documentary evidence is available to substantiate
the assumption, the known prepotency of the Dutch cattle lends
weight to this view, and the frequent traffickings between Scotland
and the Low Countries in the 17th and 18th Centuries would provide
opportunities for the importation of a few Dutch Belted cattle.
The horns, the only essential difference, would disappear with
the predominance of Galloway blood.
There is little doubt that the cattle of the ancient Celtic people
of Britain were predominantly black and that the Highland, Galloway
and Welsh black are derived from the same stock, which has become
diversified through time by selection and environment.
In the Galloway cattle there were originally various markings
and colors [with] the polled characteristic, the coat, the conformation
and the fine carcass quality setting them apart from other breeds.
Galloways originally were black, spotted, white-faced, red, dun,
white and belted.
Although the white belt is a dominant genetic trait, occasionally
solid black calves are born now in belted herds, and belted calves
are born in Black Galloway herds.
Early standards for the breed remain valid today, except that
the body should have less depth and the legs be longer than formerly.
Lord Stuart's interesting book included this description: "The
cattle of the breed are of typical beef conformation. A good head,
especially in bulls, is considered important, and this should
be broad with the crown low and flat. The nostrils should be wide
and the eyes large and prominent; the ears moderate in length,
broad, pointing forwards and upwards with a fringe of long hair.
The neck should be fairly long and fit well into the shoulders.
The "Beltie" is a naturally polled (hornless)
animal, and the distinctive "belt" markings are also
dominant. The colorings can be black, dun (brown) or red with
a white belt. Of significance to Australian farmers is their ability
to produce beef economically under tough conditions. Historically,
these cattle were not shedded in the Scottish winters, and they
have evolved into a hardy, adaptable breed with good foraging
ability, easy calving and the capacity to thrive in conditions
where other breeds struggle.
The body should be deep and full through the heart with a level
top and straight underline; the shoulders fine and straight; the
breast full and deep, with the ribs well sprung; the hindquarters
long. The flank should be deep and full. The thighs should be
deep and fairly straight; the legs short and clean with fine bone,
and the tail well set on.
The skin should be mellow and moderately thick, covered with soft,
wavy hair with a mossy undercoat. The coat is most important,
as it protects the animal. Hard, wiry hair with no undercoat is
objectionable, and so is a jet black coat. This should be black
with a brownish tinge.
The Belted Galloway has a magnificent winter coat, which comprises
a double layer of hair to give excellent insulation from the cold.
There is a long "overcoat" which readily sheds the rain
and snow and helps keep the animal dry and a very soft, mossy
"undercoat" which traps the warmth and gives the Beltie
the ability to maintain its body weight with 20 - 25% less food
intake in cold weather. In hot weather, the coat is shed to a
fine cover of hair. The hide, in its full winter glory, is particularly
attractive, and is sought after as a hard wearing floor rug and
definite conversation piece.
The markings on the Belted Galloway are striking, and from the
point of view of "eye appeal" make the breed instantly
recognizable. They also have a very practical benefit, as the
markings make the animal highly visible. This is a significant
help with aerial mustering, or in locating new calves or strays.
The Belted Galloway breed has become increasingly popular.The
Belted Galloway is proving to be a winner with a wide diversity
of breeders, ranging from the owners of vast stations in the dry
center of the country, to those with small rural holdings. The
Beltie is also popular with dairy and other beef breeders across
the country as a valuable sire of cross bred calves.
Weights for mature Belted Galloways in North America vary in accordance
with their environment. In general, the mature Belted Galloway
bull at age 5 weighs within the 1800-lb. to 2000-lb. range, though
balance and conformation should be considered before mature weight.
There are some very fine bulls producing excellent progeny whose
mature weights are less than 1800 lbs.
The Belted Galloway heifer is generally bred at age 14 to 18 months,
with many breeders electing to breed at 700 to 800 lbs. without
regard to months of age. The mature Beltie cow at age 3 or 4 averages
1100 to 1300 lbs. She can be expected to annually produce a healthy
calf well into her teen years. At birth bull calves usually weigh
70 to 80 lbs., heifer calves about 10 lbs. less.
The cows are long lived, and are
known to produce live calves into their late old age. The Belted
Galloways' heritage has conditioned them to survive in very harsh
climates, and U.S. breeders have discovered that the thrifty,
medium-sized animals more than earn their way in any beef herd.
The "Beltie" mother is renowned for her mothering ability,
and produces a very rich milk supply which produces a well - grown
calf at weaning time. Calves are small at birth, which ensures
easy calving, but "grow like mushrooms" with the good
milk supply.
The Beltie produces high quality beef, which is lean and tasty.
The meat is nicely marbled, but is otherwise lower in superfluous
fat. This ensures that the carcass cuts out at an economical rate,
up to 62%. Winter warmth is provided by the double coat of hair,
rather than the layer of backfat most breeds require.
