Belted Galloway heifers

[Cmoran]

I’m thinking of getting 3/4 belted Galloway heifers to let up at cows would like good sized ones I’ve seen some very small examples around here but seen good sized heifers in Thirsk mart I’m wondering is it hard for me to import them to Ireland and could I collect them with my Jeep and trailer or would it be a big job. Only buying them as I’ve always fancied having a few around. Tia

 

[JP1]

I’m thinking of getting 3/4 belted Galloway heifers to let up at cows would like good sized ones I’ve seen some very small examples around here but seen good sized heifers in Thirsk mart I’m wondering is it hard for me to import them to Ireland and could I collect them with my Jeep and trailer or would it be a big job. Only buying them as I’ve always fancied having a few around. Tia

Depends what you want. Native bred with no imported blood may be smaller or just a reflection of the ground they've come off. There are a few good breeders in Northern Ireland (Richard Crieth, Ballylough near Devil's Causeway / Bushmills, lovely farm but the rain man or Dessy Henry at Gruige)

You just missed the boat with the annual sale at Castle Douglas which is easy for you to get across from Cairnryan Stranraer

I'd have three or four to sell as incalf heifers or young cows. Jeep from Suffolk might be a tall order but there are regular wagons with sows coming to Cheales who could take them back in a compartment

Buy on the farm to see how they've been fed

 

[Cmoran]

Ya Suffolk would be a long drive for sure kinda fancied getting them from Scotland or northern England but I suppose I’d consider driving that far for the right stock.

 

[Cmoran]

What part of Suffolk are you in? I’m not sure if the boat from Holyhead allows livestock??

 

[ilyria]

What part of Suffolk are you in? I’m not sure if the boat from Holyhead allows livestock??

The Holyhead boat allows livestock and horses, you just have to book passage via the freight department.

 

[JP1]

What part of Suffolk are you in? I’m not sure if the boat from Holyhead allows livestock??

Bury St Edmunds A14

 

[JP1]

Ya Suffolk would be a long drive for sure kinda fancied getting them from Scotland or northern England but I suppose I’d consider driving that far for the right stock.

I would say had on heart I have the right stock and mainly because I've spent time and a lot of miles all over the UK putting together my new Belted Galloway herd

You can see many of these photos in the Livestock Pictures thread or go on to FB and look for TwoMills

 

[Cmoran]

your stock look great in fairness.

 

[aangus]

I winter belted Galloway cows for a lady here, and she will have bulling and incalf heifers about at the moment. Never seen a bag in their life, and a little New Zealand blood to get size naturally. I'm sure you could visit both farms if you were interested.

 

[Woolless]

Depends what you want. Native bred with no imported blood may be smaller or just a reflection of the ground they've come off. There are a few good breeders in Northern Ireland (Richard Crieth, Ballylough near Devil's Causeway / Bushmills, lovely farm but the rain man or Dessy Henry at Gruige)

You just missed the boat with the annual sale at Castle Douglas which is easy for you to get across from Cairnryan Stranraer

I'd have three or four to sell as incalf heifers or young cows. Jeep from Suffolk might be a tall order but there are regular wagons with sows coming to Cheales who could take them back in a compartment

Buy on the farm to see how they've been fed

Did you mention on another thread that Black Galloways have had other breeds 'introgressed' and so Belties, Riggits etc. are a better bet these days if you want a proper tough hill cow? What breeds have been used? I always thought of Belties as being a bit style over substance (forgive me!) but maybe keeping that belt makes them much less likely to have their breeding, ahem, 'improved'?

 

[JP1]

Did you mention on another thread that Black Galloways have had other breeds 'introgressed' and so Belties, Riggits etc. are a better bet these days if you want a proper tough hill cow? What breeds have been used? I always thought of Belties as being a bit style over substance (forgive me!) but maybe keeping that belt makes them much less likely to have their breeding, ahem, 'improved'?

Mmm. You'll have to ask others what happened to Galloways when they were abroad