The British Isles, long ago 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 not certain, but theories abound.  Some authorities say that belted cattle in England go back to the age of Charles II, (1660-85), although they are first mentioned in Scotland in the latter part of the 18th Century. Galloways are derived from the original British polled cattle of antiquity.  This polled characteristic sets them apart from every other breed.

 In fact, there are a number of qualities that set the Galloway apart from other breeds.  Their originally various markings and colors, with the polled characteristic, the double coat, the conformation and the fine carcass quality are all wonderful attributes. Although the white belt is a dominant genetic trait, occasionally solid black calves are born now in belted herds.

The Beltie as a beef animal produces exceptionally lean and flavorful high quality meat (none better in our opinion! :), with carcass dressed weights well in excess of 60 percent of live weight. Winter warmth is provided by the double coat of hair, rather than the layer of backfat most breeds require. 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.  Many Belted Galloway breeders have waiting lists for their freezer beef.  

Nutritional studies have shown how the Belted Galloway breed surpasses the USDA standards for both grain finished and grass fed.  On average, “Beltie” meat was shown to be 46% lower in calories, 72% lower in fat calories, 68% lower in total fat, 69% lower in saturated fat, 57% lower in cholesterol, 19% higher in protein, 67% higher in calcium, 73% higher in niacin, and much higher in eneficial CLAs — to name a few of the reasons it is a healthy, delicious choice!  Today’s health conscious society wants a product low in fat yet tender, juicy and flavorful.  These needs are being met in Belted Galloway beef!  Testing in Canada has found the Galloway breed to be as healthy for the heart and brain as both chicken and fish.   

As a huge bonus, Belties are highly adaptable to a variety of climatic conditions.  They have good foraging abilities, converting rough grazing into lean, delicious meat and rich milk, thriving while other breeds fail.  The outer layer of the coat is shed in hot weather, increasing versatility.  The heavy, double hair coat in winter 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.  They are amazing animals! 

Belted Galloways remain not only rare, but productive and docile, possessing quiet, intelligent dispositions in addition to being so appealing.  The Galloway cows are long living and known to produce for more than 20 years. The Australian Department of Agriculture studies confirm the Galloway’s superior ease of calving.  They are good “mommas”, protective and nurturing, rearing good calves. Oh my—we could go on and on!  We could say so much more about the distinctive Belted Galloway, but whether you choose your Beltie as just ornamental and lovely to gaze on, or as a full-time fulfilling business venture, we are confident you’ll love your Oreo Belties as much as we do!