Belted Galloway

The Belted Galloway is native to Norway and Scotland, open plains, wooded and rocky areas. It is black in color, lacks horns and has a white belt surrounding the mid-section. Its size ranges from 1,100 to 2,100 lbs. and it subsists on an herbivore diet of grasses, small shrubs and lichen.   

Records indicate that the origins of the Belted Galloway, one of the oldest breeds of cattle, dates back to 1530 when the Vikings brought them to Scotland into a region then called Gaul and later renamed Galloway.  It is not certain whether the belted Galloway was bred from cattle imported to Britain or native cattle, or perhaps a combination of the two. It makes the most sense that they originated from a cross breeding of Black Galloways and Dutch Belted. The heavy trade routes between Scotland and the Low Countries provided opportunities for the importing of Dutch belted Cattle. 

The Belted Galloway is a sub-species of the original Galloway with its unique double coat of long wavy hair serving as protection against the bitterly cold winds of the Scottish terrain. They adapt well to extreme climates and adverse weather conditions. 

Early standards for the Belted Galloway remain true even today. They were cited in Lord David Stuart’s 1970 publication, “An Illustrated History of Belted Cattle” and included:

• Dominant white belt
• Good broad head with low, flat crown
• Wide nostrils

• Large, prominent eyes

• Broad ears, pointing forward and upward with a fringe of long hair, medium in length

• Long neck, proportioned to straight shoulders

• Deep, full body and breast

• Well sprung ribs

• Long hindquarters

• Deep, full flank

• Straight, deep thighs

• Short, clean legs with fine bone

• Well set tail

• Skin – Mellow and moderately thick, covered with soft, wavy hair and mossy undercoat
• Skin – Mellow and moderately thick, covered with soft, wavy hair and mossy undercoat

The Belted Galloway was introduced in the United States in 1948, from stock brought from the British Isles. They are docile animals, easy to handle, and are bred primarily for their lean, high quality meat.

The bull reaches maturity at five years, weighing @ 1800-2000 lbs. It is generally bred between 14 to 18 months, although some breeders opt to breed once heifers reach 700 to 800 lbs. regardless of age.  The cow reaches maturity between 3 and 4 years and averages 1100-1300 lbs. The cow is bred each year late into her teen years. At birth, bulls weigh @ 70-80 lbs. And heifer calves weigh in at @ 10 lbs. less.