About the Galloway Breed

History

The Galloway breed is a very old Scottish breed. It is the oldest known British breed on record, and the oldest known polled beef breed in the world. Galloways can be found all over the British Isles as well as in many countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Germany, Austria, France, Denmark and South Africa.

GALLOWAY, which has given its name to a valuable breed of black or dun polled cattle, was an ancient regality or lordship lying in the south-west of Scotland. The word is derived from Gallovid, which in old Scots signifies "a Gaul". The Gauls are said to have been the first inhabitants of this part of Scotland. The last of the old line of rulers was Alan, Lord of Galloway, who was buried in Dundrennan Abbey in 1233. The title passed into the house of Douglas of Thrieve, and the whole district was finally annexed to the Crown of Scotland in 1455.

Originally the whole of this land was covered with dense forests, principally oak. It was all thickly wooded in the days of the Romans when they marched through it, made their roads, raised their forts, and feasted on good Galloway beef. Through these forests roamed many wild cattle generally supposed to be the progenitors of the modern breed of Galloways.

History of Galloways in Australia

The earliest evidence of the Galloway breed in Australia dates back to 1858, however Galloway Cattle imports were first recorded in Australia in 1951.

The Late Mr H E Kater of "Swatchfield" Oberon, NSW landed 12 heifers and a bull and "Wirrialpa" Pastoral Co of Hernani, NSW, imported six heifers and two bulls during the early 1950's.

In March 1951, the Galloway Cattle Society of Australia was inaugurated with Mr H A Kater as President.

The Garnock family from "Bukalong" Bombala, NSW imported a Galloway herd consisting of five heifers and a bull in 1955.

A small importation by, Mr C J Willis, "Starvation Nob" Lietinna, Tasmania followed some years later.

The first stud in Victoria was founded by the Late Hainsworth Cock, "Amberley Park", Lower Plenty using "Bukalong" and "Swatchfield" stock.

After 1969 Northern (New South Wales) and Southern (Victoria and Tasmania)Branches of the Galloway Cattle Society of Australia were formed.

In 1971 the attributes of the Galloway carcase were brought to the attention of beef breeders throughout Australia by winning first prize on the hook in the 12-15 months Pure Bred Led Steer class. It was the first Galloway ever exhibited in the pure bred section of the Royal Melbourne Show. The Steer cut out 250kg from 395kg live weight. Then in 1972 three Galloways were entered in the pure bred fat cattle classes in a field of 88, one winning Champion steer under 12 months.

Galloway cattle breeders continue to use the hoof and hook competitions to demonstrate the benefits of the breed to the industry. The interest in the breed is growing due to the sucesses Galloways are having in the major shows - such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Galloway Australia (formally the Galloway Cattle and Beef Marketing Association Inc.) was formed in 1997.

Galloway Traits

• Galloways can be black, dun or red.
• Belted Galloways are black, dun or red with a white belt entirely surrounding the girth of the animal, without any breaks.
• White Galloways are white in colour with black, dun or red points (ears, nose, feet).
• Miniature Galloways have the same breed characteristics as Galloways but must comply to strict height requirements. They are available as Solids, Belted or White.
• Galloways are naturally polled. They are long-living, very resistant to disease, and easy to manage.
• They create strong hybrid vigour due to the purity of the breed.
• The unique double coat of hair makes the Galloway an extremely versatile breed, able to withstand extremes of temperature and climate. According to research done at Montana State University, a beef animal which has a hair coat that is thicker by just 2.5 cm (1 inch) would need between 20% and 25% less ‘digestible feed intake’ to maintain body weight when the weather is cold. Galloways, because of their extra hair, can actually gain weight when on the same ration as other cattle who are losing weight.
• Galloways have an amazing ability to forage on sparse hill conditions, yet also perform outstandingly on high-grade pasture. In Germany, Galloways are being sought after to improve marginal lands, as they graze non-selectively. Non-selective grazing encourages the better quality grasses, while at the same time does not allow the poorer quality species to take over.
• With the Galloway’s non-selective grazing habits, Galloway beef can be raised under extensive conditions. In USA, Canada and Switzerland, there has been research carried out that shows that beef which is extensively produced can be of great benefit in a healthy diet. Galloway beef is rich in linoleic acid, which reduces the dangerous type of cholesterol (LDL), prevents thrombosis and therefore protects coronary vessels.
• The carcase of the Galloway is of excellent quality, with high yields. By using Galloways and their crosses it is easy to obtain fat cover and heavy muscling to suit most trade requirements and new marketing techniques. Galloway steers have gained much success in both carcase competitions and grazing trials. The high yield of Galloway and Galloway cross steers makes them a very attractive item for the feedlots, as the higher the yield, the higher the profit per animal.
• One of the most notable characteristics of the Galloway female is her ability to rear calves naturally under all conditions. In Australia, the Galloway has proven itself not only in cold climates, but also in the hot inland, where Galloway cross cows have survived severe droughts while rearing a healthy calf.
• Galloways are an extremely fertile breed, regularly producing vigorous live calves. The cow is noted for ease of calving, being a protective mother, and having an abundant supply of milk. A sustained lactation period ensures a strong, well-nourished calf at weaning. The maternal attributes of the Galloway cow come out tops in a study at the famous Clay Animal Research Center, Nebraska, USA. Eleven breed groups were tested for their ability to give birth and rear their calves. Of the 11 breed groups included in the study, the Galloways recorded the highest weaning percentage (95.5%), the highest calf survival percentage (95.2%), and an outstandingly low incidence of calving difficulty (0.8%).

Information for this page sourced from NSW Department of Primary Industries and also Galloway Australia.