Belted Galloway

The unique appearance of Belted Galloway cattle inspires many questions about their origins. With black, red or dun colour 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.

The Belted Galloway is essentially the same in origin and characteristics as the Galloway and only differ by the distininctve white belt that is thought to have been introduced by an infusion of Dutch Lakenvelder blood, probably in the seventeenth or eighteenth century, according to "History of the Belted Galloway Society, Inc.," The Herd Book of the Belted Galloway Society, Inc. (vo1, 1951-1971) by A. Mims Wilkinson, Jr

Historian's writings differ somewhat, but upon three points they generally agree regarding the origin of the Galloway/Belted Galloway. The breed is recognized to be a very ancient one, with obscure origins and its name derived from the word Gallovid or Gaul. The Gauls were the native inhabitants of the regality known as the Province of Galloway. The cattle of the region were said to be dark, smooth-polled, wavy-haired with undercoats like beavers fur and for centuries they went unnamed, referred to only as the black cattle of Galloway. From this coastal environment of winds and damp cold, combined with an undulating terrain of moors, granitic hills, heathery mountain ranges and fertile glens emerged the Galloway breed of cattle.    more...

Upcoming Belted Galloway Cattle Shows and Events

World Beef Expo
     Location: Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, United States
     When: Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2008

---

Royal New Zealand Show 2008
     Location: Canterbury Agricultural Park, Christchurch, New Zealand
     When: Friday 14th November 2008

---

National Western Stock Show
     Location: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80216, USA
     When: Saturday 10th to Sunday 25th January 2009

---

Upcoming Belted Galloway Cattle Sales / Auctions

World Beef Expo
     Location: Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, United States
     When: Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2008

---

Latest Belted Galloway Breed News

Friday, August 03, 2007
Foot and Mouth Disease confirmed in cattle, in Surrey, UK
UK - DEFRA have confirmed that following an investigation of suspected vesicular disease on a holding near Guildford in Surrey,...

---

Monday, December 18, 2006
New 100% Grass-Fed Galloway Beef products launched
US - Grass-Fed Traditions was launched this week as a division of Tropical Traditions, Inc. They introduced their new product...

More News...

---

If you would like your Belted Galloway news published here please contact us for more information. To add a sale / auction or show / event click on the relevant menu links above right to find out how to do this.