About Belted Galloways

The Belted Galloway is an exceptional cattle breed — magnificent in appearance, hardy and docile by nature, and known for high-quality beef.

With a white belt encircling a black, dun, or red body, the Belted Galloway is as majestic as it is unique. The mature “Beltie” bull ranges from 1700-2300 pounds and the dam between 1000 and 1500 pounds. Belted Galloways are sturdy, producing healthy calves with ease well into their teens and providing offspring with rich milk that enables them to flourish.

Belted Galloway are resilient and adaptable, with origins dating back to at least 16th century Scotland and its rugged terrain. Notably, Belted Galloways’ double coats allow them to keep warm while consuming less food in cold conditions. And despite their thick coats, Belties thrive in a wide range of climates. Belted Galloways are known for their exceptional thriftiness, strength, longevity, durability, and adept foraging skills year-round. Notably, they can achieve full weight on grass alone—a testament to their efficiency and self-sufficiency. By numerous accounts, Belties have endured floods, hurricanes, and blizzards, and are highly disease resistant, earning them the nickname of “survivors.” As an added benefit, their grazing practices can contribute to improved soil health and biodiversity.

Belted Galloway are a docile breed that is easy to handle, characteristics that are highly valued by farmers and ranchers. Belted Galloways tend to be less skittish than some other breeds, making them easier to work with. Belted Galloway cows demonstrate strong maternal instincts, nurturing their calves attentively. This nurturing nature often extends towards humans as well.

Belted Galloways produce high-quality beef with excellent flavor and marbling, lower in fat than other beef, typically yielding 60-62% of live weight, making them a preferred choice among discerning consumers. Favored by registered stock breeders, the Belted Galloway is also sought after by dairy and beef breeders nationwide for their role as a sire in producing crossbred calves.

Belted Galloways are extraordinary animals – an impressive addition to any herd.