Belted Galloway Cattle

The eponymous Belted Galloway cattle originate from the hills of South West Scotland where they were bred as a hardy cow that would thrive outside and efficiently used poor grazing and marginal land. They are thought to have been bred from the original black cattle of Scotland (the same stock that gave rise to black Galloway and Highland Cattle), although where the belt came from is open to wider conjecture.

The Belties at Wark range over our grass pastures and are particularly suited for grazing - and so managing - our wildflower meadows and wetlands. The breed is used around the country for nature conservation grazing projects. They remain outside all year, although they have access to shelter in buildings if they chose, and are fed no cereals or other concentrates, grazing only grass in the summer and being fed hay in the winter. We are building a pedigree breeding herd, mostly of black belties, although our stock bull is of the Dun variety. Belties can also be red with a white belt.

Beef

Originally a dual purpose breed producing both milk and beef, the Beltie is now very firmly a beef breed and has earned for itself a deserved reputation for producing beef of the highest quality which is served in a number of top restaurants.

Being only grass fed the beef brings with it the generally acknowledged advantages of that diet for eating quality and consumer health. We are in no hurry to take our cattle to maturity - rather going against the current trend for finishing cattle at a younger age - and most of our beef animals will be three years or more before they are ready (in contrast to 12 - 18 months). The slow process continues after the beef is ready where further maturing of the beef by hanging from between three and five weeks is undertaken.

The meat is dark in comparison to much beef available and carries a more even distribution of fat through the muscle promoting succulence and flavour. To purchase beef please see How to Order.