Highlanders/Galloways

[kfpben]

I have the opportunity of some fenced and watered grazing FOC by a country house hotel. They are adamant they must be
photogenic breed that the guests can enjoy looking at as well as tasting good on the plate.
They are especially keen on Highland cattle or Belted Galloways.

Does anyone have experience of these breeds? Are they docile enough? Do they take forever to finish? Where can I even source them? I assume they can be outwintered easily enough? Will they get far too fat in a summer in Hampshire?

 

[unlacedgecko]

@JP1 is the man for Galloways.

I wouldn't entertain Highlands. What about shorthorns? Or longhorns?

 

[AngusLad]

Galloway's would be the choice of the two, belties are probably the least productive of the Galloway's though in my experience.
A nice field of herefords would look bloody smart in that situation as well as being productive and docile

 

[Devil's advocate]

@JP1 is the man for Galloways.

I wouldn't entertain Highlands. What about shorthorns? Or longhorns?

British whites or red polls or blue greys.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Galloway's would be the choice of the two, belties are probably the least productive of the Galloway's though in my experience.
A nice field of herefords would look bloody smart in that situation as well as being productive and docile

Love the idea of Herefords.

 

[JP1]

I have the opportunity of some fenced and watered grazing FOC by a country house hotel. They are adamant they must be
photogenic breed that the guests can enjoy looking at as well as tasting good on the plate.
They are especially keen on Highland cattle or Belted Galloways.

Does anyone have experience of these breeds? Are they docile enough? Do they take forever to finish? Where can I even source them? I assume they can be outwintered easily enough? Will they get far too fat in a summer in Hampshire?

Happy to chat on PM

I keep Belted Galloways, Black Galloways and Riggit Galloways

280-320kg carcass at 28-34 months

I know a few breeders in your neck of the woods. You'd be welcome to come to Suffolk any time to view mine

@AngusLad has a point , I reckon my Riggit Galloways in particular outperform the Belties

 

[neilo]

Surely a job to beat the look of a herd of Herefords grazing on parkland, as well as being reasonably productive/saleable and docile?

 

[topground]

Sheeted Somersets. Before they were recreated this century as a breed using Lakenvelder genetics on local red cows, the last herd died out in the 1920’s due to TB and were kept on the Mountbatten estate at Romsey so a Hampshire connection.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Why not some Sussex? You are near to some very good herds.
Highlands are difficult to manage with them horns and commercially on good land very slow finishing and like the Belted tend to get too fat.

The Belties are easier to handle but are slow finishing.

 

[kfpben]

I totally agree on Herefords, Sussex and other breeds but ultimately the manager of the hotel has settled on Highlands or Galloways in his mind so I’m not sure that can be budged!

I’d personally go for the Galloways I think because of the horns issue. Also sourcing and subsequent transport. Much as I fancy a trip to Oban I dread to think what haulage would cost from there for a dozen cattle!

 

[Bobthebuilder]

If you want to finish them just off grass the belties will take 6-9months longer than your normal beef breeds but they do taste good, a few of ours got some fame last week

 

[puppet]

Belties are more photogenic. They will grow slower but the grazing is free and never be in a shed. You can buy some commercial store cattle at reasonable money round here which will look ok.

 

[M-J-G]

I totally agree on Herefords, Sussex and other breeds but ultimately the manager of the hotel has settled on Highlands or Galloways in his mind so I’m not sure that can be budged!

I’d personally go for the Galloways I think because of the horns issue. Also sourcing and subsequent transport. Much as I fancy a trip to Oban I dread to think what haulage would cost from there for a dozen cattle!

Highlands plus haulage will possibly be cheaper than most other breeds.
I know folks who buy them and sometimes they give the sellers a few extra quid because they feel so bad at the piddly prices they make.

Both breeds are supposed to graze white grass and heather and get 3m of rain annually, so I'm guessing they'll be spoiled little barrels in Hampshire

 

[JP1]

Belties are more photogenic. They will grow slower but the grazing is free and never be in a shed. You can buy some commercial store cattle at reasonable money round here which will look ok.

 

[JP1]

 

[Welderloon]

3x types of Highland, Show Ponies, Smallholder & Commercial, Unless you have industrial metal fencing avoid like the plague as their horns make them destructive as hell, slow to mature but good eating.
Black/Red/Dun/White Galloways - plainer to look it, some of the modern galloway has had a bit of length & height injected from the continent, originals will get fat as butter on good grass, good functional cow, will cross with any bull, superb eating.
Belted Galloways - photogenic, as above
Rigit Galloways - Best of them, keep them pure with a Riggit bull or cross with WBS, Hereford, AA for some cracking native meat calves that will finish on grass
All usually have decent feet & are generally lower/cost maintenance
If handled regularly they'll be alright, some of the wilder places where they are ranched means they are not quite so cuddly or dog friendly.


Another left field option - Irish Moiled - Tidy cows

@JP1 - White with red points cow & calf - half dozen of them would be nice in front of the big house.

 

[AngusLad]

I do like a riggit!

 

[Macsky]

Don’t touch the highlanders. They are a nightmare of a breed.

 

[steveR]

Love the idea of Herefords.

Trad then, not the modern lanky Canadian types please....

 

[steveR]

JP..... a born Salesman!!