The Belted Galloway

The Belted Galloways are derived from the ancient Galloways of the Scottish Lowlands. It is believed the white stripe that circumvents their midsection came from the influence of the Dutch Belted (Lakenvelder). The breed’s purpose was to fatten on the lowlands which could be lush during the summer and yet quite sparse much of the rest of the year. In today’s breed they still browse frequently and will utilize course grasses that are shunned by today’s commercial breeds.

The Belted Galloways have the ability to produce a high quality beef product directly from grass and due to the breeds naturally dense insulating hair, they do not put on layers of excessive fat, this produces a wonderful tender and slightly lean piece of meat.

In fact, its tenderness and flavour were substantiated in recent USDA tests where the Galloways received some of the highest marks for flavour, tenderness and juiciness.

The Belted Galloway are listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Priority List as “watch.” This represents fewer than 2,500 annual registrations in the United States and estimated fewer than 10,000 global population.