Belted Galloways

Belted Galloway and Calf by J Adler

Belted Galloways were chosen at the very beginning as the ideal breed choice of cattle. As these animals originate in the highlands of Scotland this may seem an interesting decision but they have a range of characteristics which make them the best choice.

Their hardiness is legendary. They are used around the globe to provide grazing on difficult terrain. From Dartmoor to the Australian Outback and from Scotland to the Florida Everglades, Belted Galloways have been there and thrived. The breed has the thickest coat of any domestic cow. Estimates are over 2000 hairs per square inch. This means that the animal can easily weather the coldest winter. As they can loose their thick undercoat in summer, they are also at home in hot climates. Due to the versatility of their coat they do not lay down fat in the same manner as other cattle breeds. This allows them to regulate their temperature even better.

The breed has a proven track record in grazing both heathland and chalk grassland. In the southeast they are used on heathland in the New Forest and on steep chalk grassland by the National Trust at Box Hill, Reigate Hill and Denbies Hillside.

The animals are naturally without horns (polled). This means that they are easier to handle, do not require extra wide handling systems, such as Highland cattle, and are less intimidating to members of the public.

The breed eats a greater degree of browse than many other cattle types.

The unique markings of the Belted Galloway were specially bred by Scottish farmers to allow the animals to be seen from long distances on the highlands. This characteristic is of great value on SWT’s reserves both large and small. The markings also seem highly popular with members of the public.

From a management point of the view the cows are easily trained to follow a bucket of food, respect electric fences and are fantastically easy calvers.