BELTED GALLOWAY
HOW IT ALL BEGAN The breed started and was developed in the austere hill country in the Galloway area of south-west Scotland and is believed to have originated more than 300 years ago the result of crossing the Galloway with the Dutch Lakenvelder.
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Belted Galloways have several traits which will fit in with just about any crossbreeding program
The "Beltie" is naturally polled and has striking colourings of black, red or dun, with a white belt. For sheer eye appeal, no breed is more distinctive in the paddock and the term "beautiful Belties" is often used. They have a "double coat " of hair, consisting of a long, shaggy overcoat and a soft, thick undercoat, providing excellent insulation in cold, bleak weather and reducing the amount of feed intake required to maintain body weight. Belted Galloways have several traits which will fit in with just about any crossbreeding program and the targeting of all domestic and export markets. Belted Galloway are known for a number of their rare and quality traits. Some of these traits are listed below:
LONGEVITY
Belted Galloways have a reputation for longevity – many are reputed to live until 17 to 20 years of age.
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HARDINESS
The Belted Galloway’s heavy, double hair coat means that heat loss is reduced, winter feed costs are significantly less and rain hardly penetrates in cold, wet weather. The Belted Galloway cow has about 4000 hairs to the square inch making the coat resistant to severe cold. "Belties" have, in fact, been used on stations with an annual rainfall as low as 150 mm and with their superior foraging ability, have thrived in these harsh, pastoral areas.
ADAPTABILITY
"Belties" are able to adapt to a variety of climatic conditions. They have good foraging abilities, ensuring that they thrive where other breeds fail. The coat is shed in hot weather, thus making the "Beltie" a highly adaptable and versatile breed for a variety of climatic conditions.