Belted Galloways are Survival Specialists 

 

Cattle breeders across the country battled fierce weather during the spring of '97. Extremes in temperatures in late winter, the infamous Western 'April blizzard,' serious flooding in the Great Northwest, the Dakotas and the Heartland -- all contributed to bovine losses in hundreds of thousands. 

There is, though, one cattle breed which marched undaunted through the ultimate tests Mother Nature imposed -- the Belted Galloway. A quick check with 'Beltie' breeders in the Ohio Valley and across the North and West indicated no unusual losses in their herds despite the severity of the cold and flooding.

Breeders have long been aware that the Belted Galloway's heritage in the rocky Scottish Highlands preconditioned the breed toward hardiness and survival. Their shaggy second coat of hair offers strong protection against weather extremes. Add to this the Beltie's innate sense toward self-preservation and you have a breed that qualifies as specialists in survival. 

Just ask Fred Ciaburri.

In March Fred's herd of Belties were trapped in their pastures by rapidly rising floodwaters at Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Residents of the floodplain were hastily evacuated by boat from land that ranged from one to over twenty-one feet under water. Cows and horses were necessarily left to fend for themselves. 

Fred and his wife Anita were able to return by boat to their still-submerged Back Forty Quart-O-Way Farm three days later, where they found the Beltie herd standing patiently in over three feet of water on a rise in the pasture. Amazingly, a hasty count indicated none had been lost, despite having spent three days without food in water over their backs. Fred learned that neighbors in the region had boated to the Ciaburri's barn loft to take hay to the herd, but abandoned the attempt when the cows eagerly swam toward the approaching boats, threatening to overturn the Good Samaritans in 21 feet of water. 

Fred commandeered a rowboat and spent the next five days taking hay to his herd a bit at a time. He said, "I did my best, but they didn't get much. I was able to get them to quit swimming toward the boat -- but try to give hay flakes to cows in deep water! Whatever isn't grabbed in the first moment just swirls away." 

The extent of the region's damage became apparent when the waters subsided on the eighth day. Buildings, fences and trees were damaged, debris was everywhere. Fred says, "The skies were literally black with vultures for weeks. Very few of my neighbors were able to save all of their livestock." The overworked rendering plants were inundated with calls they couldn't respond to, as bodies littered pastures for miles. 

Fred notes, "We were absolutely amazed at the good sense that caused our Belties to stand patiently waiting for their trials to end. Our nearest neighbor lost 27 of his 30 Angus when they swam for the only greenery they could see, which turned out to be the protruding tips of cedar trees." This neighbor has contracted with Fred for future use of one of his young Belted Galloway bulls, noting, "Guess we need to breed a little toughness into our commercial herd." 

Like many new Belted Galloway breeders, the Ciaburris purchased foundation stock because they were attracted to the animal's unique appearance -- black or dun with a wide white belt encircling the midriff. The Ciaburris knew that their animals' shaggy double hair coat has a practical purpose -- Belties can handle extreme winter temperatures without adding the layer of backfat most cattle require for warmth. They knew the breed was long-lived and tractable. But learning that Belties can survive disaster was an unexpected bonus. 

Click for larger image.

The Back Forty Quart-O-Way animals a few weeks after the floodwaters receded (click for larger image). Fred Ciaburri is visible behind herd bull Stonecroft Jupiter. The cattle bounced right back from their trauma and seem delighted to be chowing down on dry feed again! 

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