The unique appearance of the Belted Galloway attracts many new enthusiasts to the breed. In time, breeders who purchased Belties for their ornamental qualities are delighted to learn that these nifty critters do produce lean, high quality beef.

Carcass comparisons made in 1994 by Dr. A.R.C. Butson of Maple Brae Farms, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada between a half-dozen purebred Belties and an equal number of commercial cattle placed Belted Galloway beef low in saturated fat content as well as total fat average, and indicated high ratios of Omega 6 to Omega 3--the beneficial lineolic and linolenic acids.

His conclusion: "Belted Galloway meat is more beneficial than pork loin, and about as good as roasting chicken." Results obtained from the blind study conducted at the University of Guelph:
 

	Belted Galloway	Random Commercial
Total fat average Saturated fat  Palmitic acid (saturated) Stearic acid (saturated) All polyunsaturated  Omega 6 linoleic acid (polyunsaturated) Omega 3 linolenic acid (polyunsaturated) Omega 6:Omega 3 ratio  All monounsaturated Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)	2.71 1.23   .70   .46   .18   .12   .037 1.99 1.18   .022   .0041	3.24 1.34   .81   .45   .35   .19   .031 5.03 1.53   .011   .0026
	USDA Average (1970)
Cholesterol, mg/100g (single sample)	49mg	70mg

Many Belted Galloway breeders have waiting lists for their freezer beef. Marlin Sherbine's Highland Farm in Somerset, Pennsylvania prepares 15 to 25 steers for slaughter each year, and also maintains a commercial beef herd. 

Comparing the Belties to his commercial steers, Sherbine notes: "We have found that traditional breeds can gain as high as 4.5 to 5 lbs. a day with heavy feeding. Our smaller Belties show top daily gains of about 2.5 lbs. The Belties do not gain as much as fast -- but appear to eat only about 75% as much as larger breeds." 

Dr. Edward White of Riverside Farms, Florence, South Carolina sent two dozen steers averaging about 600 lbs. to "Quest," Clemson University's retained ownership carcass analysis program. Dr. White writes,

"My steers were Simmental, Brahma and Saler crossbreds, and one Galloway cross. When my animals were added to South Carolina's load of about 65, there were several good laughs from the bystanders about that little Galloway. But [at completion of the program] to everyone's surprise and my delight, the Beltie cross was tops in the Live Profitability' category. This steer weighed in at 610 lbs., finished at 1112 lbs., and was graded Select +."

Beltie Beef Low in Fat, High in Flavor

How to perform Carcass Evaluations

The London Financial Times writes about Beltie Beef

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