The Annual General Meeting is now history. Members that were able to attend were treated to a very enjoyable weekend. A memorable meeting was held by the Downey family of Lyndonville, VT. Special thanks to Laura Glassmann (PA) who facilitated the planning and Michelle Ogle (NJ) and Keith Jones (SC) who provided their expertise and guidance for the sale, youth show and demonstrations. Having all the activities at the farm added to the convenience for everyone involved. Being able to see and visit points of interest and having the history of the area explained to us, was worth the trip alone. The attendance was the largest I have seen in many years with members attending from all parts of the US, plus several from Canada and one from New Zealand. Financial support at the auction for the BGS Foundation, BYG and Pleas Carter memorial projects was outstanding.

The Council activities continue to strive to meet the needs and wishes of our members.  The Advertising committee’s promotions and Dr. Caldwell’s presentation on Beltie marketing are just a couple examples of those efforts.

I would like to welcome new Council members Loren Olson (IA) and Jon Rozelle (AZ), and returning members Gayle Cerullo (WA) and Steven Silberberg (NH). Under the able leadership of incoming President Mark Keller (IL) and President-elect Robert Flynn (NC), the Council and staff will continue to provide our members with the services they have come to expect.

It has been an honor and privilege for me to have served as the Belted Galloway Society Inc. president for the past two years. The support of many members has made the experience both easy and enjoyable.

As I write this, the temperature here in Wisconsin is in the 60’s which makes it difficult to get in the holiday spirit, however I suspect winter will descend upon us soon enough. Joyce and I here at Hav-A-Belt Galloways would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

The 2007 Belted Galloway Society’s Annual Meeting was held at Meadow View Farm, in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom near Lyndonville, VT.  Meadow View is aptly named to include 100+ Belted Galloway cattle grazing in a pastoral setting. On behalf of the Richard Downing family, Steve Downing welcomed 150 guests to a busy weekend of farm tours, sightseeing, meetings, BYG activities, a Belted Galloway Sale, charity auction, and did we mention … fun?  Three generations of the Downing family were present, including family and staff of the Wildflower Inn, who served scrumptious meals (including grass-fed Beltie prime rib) seasoned with many herbs from the farm’s organic gardens.

A successful New England Fall Classic Sale, with standing room only, generated some impressive sales (see sale report). Charity auctions raised a whopping total of $16,885; with $7,300 to benefit the American Cancer Society in memory of Pleas Carter, $1,500 to benefit the BYG Foundation account, $4,042.50 benefiting the BYG Area 1, and $4,042.50 benefiting the Foundation General Fund.

Holly Hall (ME), Beltie Youth Area 1 sponsor, coordinated a competitive showmanship contest with around 20 youngsters participating. Mr. Charlie Rowlett (TN) served as judge and provided instruction and showmanship tips to the group.

President Vic Eggleston (WI) opened the 2007 Annual Meeting around 9 a.m. Previous minutes of the 2006 meeting were provided and approved. Committee reports were given (see Council Meeting report). Nominations for Council were announced and voting commenced. Elected/re-elected to serve a two-year-term on Council were:  Loren Olson (IA), Gayle Cerullo (WA), and Steven Silberberg (NH).  Veteran Council member, Michelle Ogle (NJ), officially announced that she was resigning from Council due to the upcoming birth of her first child. Council nominee John Rozelle (AZ) was elected to fill Ogle’s vacant position.

Barry McAlley from New Zealand, on behalf of The Galloway Cattle Society of New Zealand, invited the membership to attend the 2008 World Galloway Congress February 29-March 6 in Auckland, New Zealand.

President Vic Eggleston, in his tenure, has observed that the majority of the membership is new to the breed and own small operations. His term on Council has been a unique experience and it has been his pleasure to work on various committees. Eggleston stated Council is a diverse group of individuals varying in location, careers and herd management. He reminded the membership that serving on Council is a voluntary position and thanked the present Council for the countless hours they have contributed. Eggleston confirmed that the Society is financially sound and funds have been expanded for advertising, sales and shows, all benefiting promotion of the breed. Eggleston recognized the independent contractors and their contributions to the administration of the Society. He presented a plaque to Michelle Ogle (NJ) in appreciation of her dedication while serving as a Council member. Eggleston also presented Laura Glassmann a plaque for her dedication and service to the Belted Galloway Society. Eggleston thanked Glassmann for making his term as president trouble-free. Eggleston concluded that it has been a positive experience and privilege to serve as president....

Host Steve Downing and friend, Lauren, greet guests.	Vista View. This Meadow View barn was the location of  the New England Fall Classic Sale.
BYG Kids. Youngsters line up for showmanship.	Wildflower Inn. Members of the Downing family, Jim and Mary O’Reilly, own the inn and catered the entire meeting and provided many guests with lodging.

New England 
Fall Classic Sale
 

The management of the New England Fall Classic Sale, held Saturday, October 20, 2007, would like to thank the consignors, the buyers and our gracious host, Meadow View Farm, for making the sale a success. The consignors went out of their way to offer great genetics from their breeding programs for the sale. The sale brought in 55 registered buyers who hailed from the New England area and surrounding states to as far south as Alabama, as far west as Arizona and even a few of our neighbors from Canada.

The setting and hospitality of Steve Downing and all the crew at Meadow View Farm made for a first-class display of the sale cattle and auction. There was standing room only for the sale as the bidders let us know how much they liked what was being offered for sale. The sale results are as follows:

Open Heifer
Anderson Hill Beta Rose 25834B sold by Anderson Hill Farm, West Rutland, VT to Ken Murray, Longs, SC for $7,750.

Bred Heifer  
R.M.R. Josie 252998D sold by Rocking M Ranch, Granby, MA sold to Ken Murray, Longs, SC for $3,750.

Bull
Anderson Hill Banjo 10701B sold by Anderson Hill Farm, West Rutland, VT sold to Vic & Joyce Eggleston, WI and Michael & Lorna Caldwell, WI for $6,500.

2 Cow/Calves               Average           $6,375.00
14 Open heifers             Average           $2,171.43
10 Bred heifers             Average           $2,420.00
  3 Bulls                        Average           $4,266.67
  1 Flush                       Average           $2,500.00

30 Lots Total     Ave.     $2,755.00

The Fall Council Meeting was called to order on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at approximately 8:25 a.m. in Lyndonville, VT by President Vic Eggleston (WI). Council members present were: Michael Caldwell (WI), Gayle Cerullo (WA), Robert Flynn (NC), Ron Howard (ME), Mark Keller (IL), Michelle Ogle (NJ), Steven Silberberg (NH), and Secretary/Treasurer Laura Glassmann (PA). Absent: Charles Batten (GA). 

The minutes from the previous Spring Council Meeting were approved. Society Secretary Laura Glassmann provided Society membership and registration data as follows: 666 Regular, 138 Junior, 34 Associate, 99 Lifetime memberships. Current database registrations include 2,290 registered males, 8,450 registered females, and 2,419 Appendix Recorded Females. The Society database holds a total of 13,159 active registrations. 

Beef Marketing Chairman Michael Caldwell reported there are two types of marketing campaigns being initiated by Council: marketing cattle and marketing the Society. The Beef Marketing Committee’s purpose is specifically for marketing cattle. The committee has published data through articles in the U.S. Beltie News substantiating that the Belted Galloway has a unique carcass genotype for tenderness. Initial data published has also validated that ultrasound studies and DNA information do not correlate. The committee will continue to gather information from breeders who are willing to submit DNA carcass data. Animals do not have to be identified by name, only by number, ensuring confidentiality. The committee will accumulate and collate the information to provide more substantiating data, proving how significant the Belted Galloway rates in tenderness characteristics against other breeds. An effective marketing tool will be to promote the Belted Galloway through tenderness carcass characteristics, thus marketing a better quality beef product and encouraging breeders to “up breed” to a more tender product.  The committee will report breeder marketing success stories and inform Society members about the National Sustainable Agriculture Information and ATTRA’s Beef Marketing Alternatives: augmenting marketing from a standard format to a more alternative method. A marketing piece has been written by Loren Olson (IA) for future printing to be included in the Breeder’s Manual.   

Budget and Finance Committee Chair Mark Keller reported that the current 2007 Society net income of $6,001.11 has left the Society “in the black” to date. Keller predicts because of expenses anticipated in the last quarter of the 2007, the Society will conclude with a deficit. Keller predicts the deficit may be $7,000 to $15,000 because of more Society committee expenses than anticipated. A balance sheet was provided to Council reflecting a balance of $4,687.72 in checking and $78,681.80 in savings. Keller, along with Council, is developing a 2008 proposed budget and the template will be complete by the end of the year. 

Mark Keller reported in the absence of Charles Batten regarding the Belted Galloway Foundation. On behalf of the A.H. Chatfield Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Foundation awarded (3) $500 scholarships to the following individuals: Briana Flanagan (MA), Ross Fogle (IL), and Rachel Leone (CT). A fund raising campaign was initiated through the annual member dues and herd inventory mailings. Keller was happy to report that $1,900 was raised to benefit the Foundation and the programs it supports. Due to a change in personnel at The Hermitage, TN; the Foundation is investigating the needs of The Hermitage and implementing a plan of assistance regarding the cattle that have been donated through the Foundation, to the Hermitage, and are currently housed on the grounds. The Hermitage has agreed to place the informational, annual breed publication, currently Belties 2007, in their gift shop on a trial basis.

Gayle Cerullo, Committee Chair of the Beltie Youth Group, stated that programs are going well and exhibitor and member points will again be tabulated in 2007. She has traveled to shows in the West and is excited about the level of participation in that region of the country. Keith Jones (SC) reported about his travels across the Midwest, South and Northeast. Jones stated the older kids show leadership and the younger kids are improving in their skills. Jones acknowledged the kids are “tremendous” in their skill level and “fearless.”  BYG member Jake Keller (IL) presented to Council, a paper titled, Using Blood Samples to Predict Pregnancy in Cattle.  Megan Turner (ME), recipient of the NEGG heifer, Red Apple Annabelle, gave a detailed report about her experiences caring for her heifer and her encounters showing her heifer across the North East.

Chairman of the Executive Committee Vic Eggleston stated the two major functions of the committee are to serve as a liaison between the individual contactors and Council, and oversee the production of the annual promotional magazine. Ron Howard (ME) commented that the publication is a promotional tool that is well written and informative. Because of the promotional value the publication provides for the breed, Council determined that it is essential to continue annual production. Jane Faul (KY) will serve as the editor of the publication. The promotional magazine will be stocked at The Hermitage (TN) and sold to the general public on a trial basis. The committee evaluated personnel contracts and made suggestions to Council updating contracts to include revised expense data. Council approved the Newsletter Editor contract remuneration of an additional $600 annually, the Secretarial contract remuneration of an additional $425, to cover increased expenses incurred by the respective offices.

Michelle Ogle, Long Range Planning Chair, made the following recommendation to Council to table the random DNA testing and DNA testing of all AI sired bull calves. Ogle stated the committee will continue to research labs that can provide DNA testing that will support the best interests of the Society and the membership. Ron Howard (ME) and Kathi Jurkowski (IL) investigated initiating a mentor program that would benefit new breeders by geographic location. They determined that this program would not be feasible and strongly encouraged individuals who sell cattle, to mentor new buyers. 

Newsletter Chair Ron Howard reported that the newsletter office is currently printing 1100 newsletters per month with 980 newsletters distributed in the United States and 26 distributed to foreign countries. The remaining balance of printed materials is used by the Society for promotional distribution. The newsletter is now online in two formats: traditional and PDF.

Chairman of the Advertising and Promotion Committee, Steven Silberberg reported the committee launched an intensive campaign to broaden the recognition of the breed in 2007. More funds have been allocated and budgeted for this campaign during the history of the breed in the United States. The office has received a significant increase in breed interest as a result of the current advertising campaign. To date, the Society office has received 690 inquiries about the breed. Silberberg reported that 546 came directly from the campaign in the magazine Hobby Farms. More publications are being researched for additional breed promotion for 2008. The committee is seeking non-advertising, public exposure through editorial space within various publications. The committee is also investigating hiring a public relations professional to accomplish this goal. Council approved a budget of $8,500 for 2008.

Chairman of the Show/Exhibition and Sale Committees Michelle Ogle stated that the 2007 show season has been successful and shows are still in progress. An increase of shows has taken place especially in the Midwest. Show and Sale funds are well utilized but Exhibition requests have been sluggish. There have been three sales in 2007 that the Society has provided financial assistance with advertising: the annual National Sale in Maine and the New England Fall Classic Sale in Vermont. Ogle predicted three sales in 2008. Requests for sale funds must be made to Ogle in writing by January 1, 2008. Ogle reminded Council that funding requests for show/exhibition must arrive in the following manner: shows/exhibitions occurring January 1-June 30 must arrive to Ogle by January 1, 2008. Shows/exhibitions occurring July 1-December 31 must arrive by June 1, 2008. Ogle will forward the January 1 requests to the 2008 Chairman of Show/Exhibition/Sale committees. Ogle stated that the committees would request the same budget of $8,500 with funds allocated for show $4,500; exhibition $2,000; and sale $2,000. Council approved.

New Business: Council approved the electronic archiving of the annual breed publication. A sub-committee will be formed in 2008 to investigate archival of all Society publications. It was recommended as a quality control issue that the No Data in Registry be investigated before certificates are issued. Also a print issue date will appear on the bottom of each certificate. Foreign registries will be reviewed to ensure that all standards of the U.S. Belted Galloway Society correlate with foreign registries. Regarding the Harry T. Burn award, Council approved that all recipients, past and future, will become lifetime members when receiving the distinguished award.

Spring Council Meeting. Council approved holding the Spring Council Meeting in Fryeburg, ME April 25-27, 2008. 

Annual General Meeting. Council accepted the invitation of Driftwood Plantation, Awendaw, SC to hold the meeting in 2008. Date to be determined.

Nominating Committee Chairman Charles Batten, in a prepared written statement, recommended Mark Keller as President, Robert Flynn as Vice President and Laura Glassmann as Secretary/Treasurer for 2008. Council approved the recommendations.

President’s Message. President Vic Eggleston thanked Council for their excellent input. 

Happy Holidays to one and all!  As we get closer and closer to the holidays, I want to take the time to thank all of you for another wonderful year and wish each of you a happy holiday season.  For those of you who were able to join us in October for the Annual General Meeting, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I was able to spend with you. As always, it was a hectic but fun event and I hope I will get to see you again next year at Driftwood Plantation! To our outstanding hosts, the Downings and the Wildflower Inn, thank you for a wonderful event! Speaking for Andi and myself, we look forward to another wonderful year and wish each of you the best.

Exhibitors, Antietam Farm (IL), Dickinson Acres (MN), Driftwood Plantation (SC), Hunt Club Farms (WI), Oak Valley Farm (IL), Red Barn Farm (IN), Sunnybrook Farm (IL), Sutliff Belties (IA), Wayside Valley Farm (IL).

Spring Heifer calved after 3/1/07, Sunny brook Sarasota. Junior Heifer 1/1-2/28/07, Driftwood Tammy. Winter Heifer 11/1-12/31/06, Sunnybrook Cortney.  Senior Heifer Calf, Wayside Valley Polka Dot owned by Sunnybrook Farm. 

Champion Heifer Calf, Wayside Valley Polka Dot owned by Sunnybrook Farm. Reserve, Sunnybrook Cortney. 

Early Summer Yearling Heifer 5/1-6/30/06, Sunnybrook TeQuila.  Junior Yearling Heifer 3/1-4/30/06, Red Barn Lucky Lady.

Champion Junior Heifer, Sunnybrook TeQuila. Reserve, Red Barn Lucky Lady. 

Late Senior Heifer 11/1-12/31/05, Stones Throw Reality owned by Antietam Farm. Early Two Year Old Heifer 10/1-3/31/05, Driftwood Rebecca. Late Two Year Old Heifer 4/1-8/31/05, Sunnybrook Elaine.

Champion Senior Heifer, Sunnybrook Elaine. Reserve, Driftwood Romance.

Grand Champion Heifer, Sunnybrook Elaine. Reserve, Sunnybrook TeQuilla.

Three Year Old Cow/Calf, Oak Valley Page.

Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair, Oak Valley Page. Reserve, Wayside Valley Tahiti owned by Hunt Club Farms.

Spring Bull calved after 3/1/07, Sunnybrook Remington.  Junior Bull 1/1-2/28/07, Antietam Texas. Senior Bull 9/1-10/31/06, Sunnybrook Camelot. 

Champion Bull Calf, Sunnybrook Camelot. Reserve, Driftwood Shield. 

Junior Yearling Bull 3/1-4/30/06, Stones Throw Ambassador owned by Driftwood Plantation. Early Junior Yearling Bull 1/1-2/29/06, Driftwood Scorpion. 

Champion Junior Bull, Stones Throw Ambassador owned by Driftwood Plantation. Reserve, Driftwood Scorpion.

Three Year Old Bull 10/1/03-9/30/04, Antietam Porsche.

Champion Senior Bull, Antietam Porsche owned by Oak Valley Farm.

Grand Champion Bull, Antietam Porsche owned by Oak Valley Farm. Reserve, Stones Throw Ambassador owned by Driftwood Plantation.

Get of Sire, Antietam Farm. Produce of Dam, Sunnybrook Farm. Best Pair of Weanlings, Driftwood Plantation. Best Pair of Yearlings, Sunnybrook Farm. Breeder’s Herd, Sunnybrook Farm. Best Six Head, Sunnybrook Farm. 

Grand Champion Appendix Female, Red Barn Stockins.

Feeder Steer 1/1-12/31/06, Red Barn Hercules. Finished Steer, Sutliffe’s Sampson.

Grand Champion Steer, Sutliffe’s Sampson. Reserve, Red Barn Hercules.

Champion Junior Showman, Allie Abney (IN). Reserve, Jacob Keller (IL).

Champion Senior Showman, Hattie Gushee-Kimball (ME). Reserve, Steve Willis (IL).

Premier Breeder, Driftwood Plantation. Premier Exhibitor, Antietam Farm.  

WBE Grand Champion Heifer. Sunnybrook Elaine bred and owned by Steve Willis (IL).	WBE Grand Champion Bull. Antietam Porsche owned  by Mark & Sally Keller (IL) and bred by Jeff & Lisa Lovett (IL).
WBE Grand Champion Cow/Calf. Oak Valley Page bred & owned  by Mark & Sally Keller (IL).

The Belted Galloway Foundation, Inc. is non-profit corporation created to engage in educational scientific activities dedicated to the improvement of Belted Galloway cattle breed production and marketing practices, and encouraging youth involvement in beef production.

The Foundation is a separate, autonomous corporation that is entirely supported by fundraising. Those who donate money or articles of value to support the Foundation and its programs enjoy the same tax benefits afforded those persons who donate to a charitable organization.

The Foundation currently maintains three separate funds: General Fund, Beltie Youth Group Fund, and the Chatfield Scholarship Fund. Donors to the Foundation can stipulate which fund they would like their donation to benefit.

It’s not too late to remember the Belted Galloway Foundation and as always … it’s completely tax deductible.

You'll find above an announcement of production of a new annual promotional magazine, Belties 2008. This will be the fifth in a series which has provided the Society with a pretty important handout. It is self-funded -- that is, produced entirely with ad revenue from those we think of as the Solid Minority. These faithful supporters give the breed and all of our breeders a boost. The sad truth is, these good folks number only 4% of our membership.

Where is the Silent Majority? In member surveys the most frequently mentioned suggestion requests more breed promotion. Well, guys, this is breed promotion. We need your participation.

More revenue would permit larger print runs and more copies distributed. But dollars aren't the only reason for our appeal. The more ads, the more useful the publication. I've been publicizing the breed for more than a quarter century (oh, my, that makes me old) so am aware that people newly interested in Belties devour absolutely anything published about them, and that includes avid reader interest in every single ad, large or small.

Please help support our breed by placing an ad. And remember that the magazines produced are available in the office. Request a batch from the secretary at any time to display or distribute to your potential customers.

Our sympathy is extended to the Charlotte Faris  family of Adel, IA. Char died suddenly on September 5, 2007. Char and husband, Lou, enjoyed raising Belted Galloway cattle. It was a family operation with mother, Mary Agnew, and sisters, Kay Agnew and Maggie O’Rourke, owning Belted Galloways too.  Char held offices in the Great Plains Belted Galloway Association.

Char is survived by husband Louis Pingel, sons, Jonathan Pingel and Sean Faris, mother Mary Agnew, sisters Suzanne Featherston, Barbara Agnew, Roseann Agnew, Margaret O"Rourke, Kay Agnew and brothers John and Ed Agnew.

This award was established and funded in 1984 by his widow in memory of the late Harry T. Burn, Tennessee, one of the Society’s early very dedicated breeders. His nephew, James E. Burn, was President of the Society when he announced that the award, a large perpetual trophy and an engraved individual plaque, would be given to persons singled out as having a provided outstanding support and promotion to the Belted Galloway breed. The award is not annual, rather, it is presented from time to time as merited. 

We invite the membership to submit a letter of recommendation about an individual who they feel is deserving of this distinguished award. Letters may be submitted to the Society office for the review of Council.

For many years we have promoted Belted Galloway cattle with our knowledge about their longevity and maternal instincts. The Belted Galloway Society, Inc. will celebrate and honor those mature brood cows still in production. During December and January breeders are invited to nominate their mature dams who continue to successfully raise progeny every year.

Submit your animal’s name, registration number, age, along with her 2007 calving date. Mail or Email your submission to Secretary Laura Glassmann. The oldest producing dam will be honored in a subsequent newsletter article. Her 2007 progeny will be registered or recorded compliments of the Belted Galloway Society, Inc.

The Galloway Cattle Society of New Zealand (Inc.) would like to invite you to attend the 2008 World Galloway Congress to be held in Auckland, New Zealand on March 1-2, 2008. The program:

February  29          Registration, Congress Hotel from 1pm.

March 1                 Registration continues from 8am
                              Congress Opens 10am
                              Lunch
                              Visitors City Tour/NZ Members AGM, 3-5 pm
                              Cocktails 6pm
                              Congress Dinner 7.30pm

March 2                 Bus to Clevedon Showgrounds, leaves 9am.
                              Breeders Seminar
                              Lunch
                              Judging
                              Dinner
                              Return to Hotel

The approximate cost of the above based on a per person, share twin is NZ$375 which includes meals, accommodation & registration

March 3                 Bus Tour leaves Hotel 8am
                              Herd Visits
                              Bus arrives Rotorua 4pm
                              Maori Concert/Dinner

March 4                 Bus leaves Hotel 8am
                              Herd Visits
                              Bus arrives Wanganui Hotel 5.30pm

March 5                 Bus leaves Hotel 8am.
                              Herd Visits
                              Bus arrives Wellington Hotel 5.30pm.

March  6                Bus leaves Hotel 8am.
                              Arrives Auckland 6pm

The approximate cost of the tour based on a per person, share twin is NZ$1000. Please note the following for those who have more holiday time available; if you are continuing on to the South Island, here are some Galloway "events"  March 8, Wanaka Agricultural Show, including Belties, judging starts 9 a.m. We suggest you stay in Wanaka or Queenstown (a 40 minute drive). March 10-11, herd tours or Otago/Southland regions. Suggest you base yourselves in Gore at Croydon Lodge. The Royal Canberra Show will be held at Canberra, Australia on Feb.21-24, the weekend preceding the Congress. There will also be a Galloway Show at Maitland, New South Wales, Australia  February  15 -16.

Registration forms available at www.galloway-world.org.

A.H. Chatfield Jr., not only founded Aldermere Farm, he along with long-time Farm Manager Dwight Howard, was instrumental in helping numerous Beltie breeders get started with cattle and advice. When the late Bob Rose (VT) first offered to donate his herd of Belties to Aldermere he reasoned, “because of all those times I called Dwight at 6:30 in the morning for advice!” It was fitting then that after the Chatfield’s so generously bequeathed the farm to Maine Coast Heritage Trust in 1999, that education remains part off its mission.

Beginning in 2000, Aldermere began its Farmhands program bringing youth ages 11 to 18 to the farm for not just one day class field trips, but rather, more in depth experiences as the participants work with the cattle one to two times per week for up to eight weeks. Throughout the year, the after school program draws students from within a 20 mile radius of Aldermere with very few having any agricultural experience.

Aldermere General Manager Ron Howard indicates that the program’s mission has multiple purposes, "We want youth to grow up understanding the importance of agriculture so they will appreciate it and support it as adults. We also found that giving young people the experience of working with animals teaches them responsibility, work ethic and the ability to focus their energies.”

Not surprisingly, the Farmhands program grew a waiting list and many of the participants wanted to sign up again. So the farm established the Aldermere Achiever 4-H Club, with participants leasing a heifer or steer from the farm for the year and “paying” for their lease by agreeing to perform volunteer work around the farm. “The volunteer work helps give them an even broader exposure to farming,” according to Ron, “and then we let the kids show, not only in the 4-H shows, but also fit and show our cattle in the open shows at the local Union and Windsor fairs to give them even more experience.”

This year Aldermere also started up ‘Cow Camp’ where three Beltie breeders from throughout the Northeast brought heifers to the farm and contracted directly with the 4-Hers to prepare and show their cattle for them. This created an additional entrepreneurial aspect for the kids and a nice benefit for Beltie breeders who wanted to show their cattle, but didn’t have the time to prepare them.

Beyond the youth arena, Aldermere (like most Beltie owners) recognized the importance of introducing new buyers to the breed and helping them get started. Four years ago, as part of its mission to support sustainable agriculture, the farm started up their annual Beef Basics two day seminar. Bringing speakers to the farm for topics including pasture management, cattle health care, handling and marketing of cattle and beef, this summer’s program drew about 60 people from a number of different States. One of the more popular sessions was led by Keith Jones of Driftwood Plantation (SC), as he instructed youth and adults through two days about raising and showing beef cattle.

Aldermere is proud to be able to continue the tradition that the Chatfields’ established over 50 years ago.

Michael and Lorna Caldwell (WI) are the recipients of a 2007 USDA Value-Added Producer grant  of $104,209 to produce organic, grass-fed Belted Galloway summer sausage. 

Together with butcher, Pete Blokhuis (WI) (guest speaker at 2006 Annual Meeting) they have done the leg work to develop a product that is not only delicious, but heart healthy. The summer sausage has taken two years to develop because organic regulations prohibit using preservatives such as nitrite and nitrate in the sausage.

Just one comparative nutritional fact shows that one ounce of grass-fed, organic, Beltie beef summer sausage has 87 calories from fat. Standard beef summer sausage has 233 calories from fat and turkey summer sausage has 90 calories from fat. Did we mention that the Beltie summer sausage is low in sodium too?

The Caldwell’s beef product is one example of how Belted Galloway cattle can appeal to niche markets.

To All,

For these last several years I've been a member of the Society and am delighted to get the newsletter with photos of the beautiful cows and bulls that you all are raising. It is inspiring to see how members promote the breed in so many venues, and educate people about the cattle in general. Belties always cause excitement whenever cars filled with kids spot them from the road. We just hope the parents keep their eyes focused forward!

Thanks so much for all the work that has brought the breed back from the doldrums to "recovering" status.

Sincerely,

Erica D. Barr-Harrison
Barr-Harrison Farm
Miller Place, NY

Use the letter T as the official Year Code when tattooing animals born in 2007. The letter S applies to animals born in 2006. 

World Galloway Congress in New Zealand
2008 World Galloway Congress 
Auckland, New Zealand 
March 1-2, 2008
Contact Barry McAlley bmcalley@xtra.co.nz

Secretarial Office Phone Hours ...
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