Weather plays a significant role on how we feed and manage our Beltie herds.  Here in Wisconsin we have been fairly fortunate to have limited, but timely rains that have helped sustain our pastures and hay crops.  I’m reminded that not all of our members are as fortunate, with some experiencing ongoing drought conditions which can create serious forage shortages.  Anticipating these shortages by investigating alternative feed sources and working with knowledgeable folks to prepare the best feeding options available to cope with a forage shortage would be beneficial.

The 2007 Great Lakes Belted Galloway Association’s Spring Field Day will have been held at the Romine Farm in Hope, Indiana by the time this newsletter is received. The entire Romine family spent many hours organizing the event, establishing the program and youth show.  Everyone appreciates the dedication the Romine’s have shown for the Belted Galloway breed and we all wish them the best of luck with the field days.

Elsewhere in this newsletter will appear an article written by Jane Faul regarding advertising bulls for sale on the forum. Please seriously consider the recommendations she has made in the article. Most of us, when we started in the Beltie business, thought our bull calves were bull herd sire prospects if they were properly marked and met the registration requirements.With experience we have come to realize that very few bull calves have the qualities essential to be considered a herd sire. As additional people become interested in our breed it becomes imperative that Beltie bulls retained for breeding purposes, have the traits necessary to improve the breed and provide a good genetic Belted Galloway foundation for to new Beltie herd owners. 

The cattle industry has been revolutionized by recent developments in DNA testing. In the past DNA analysis required drawing blood samples from cattle, placing the sample in special tubes or on particular cards for transportation to laboratories that performed the analysis. In addition most of the useful data available from this type of test was for parentage determination using what are called microsatellites. Microsatellites are areas in the DNA strand where molecules repeat for varying lengths. Therefore another common name for microsatellites is short tandem repeats. The analyses looked across the whole DNA content of the cow for areas where these repeats were located. The length of these repeated segments vary from individual to individual and are inherited in each calf from the dam and sire. The original microsatellite panel examined approximately a dozen repeat segments across the cattle genome for parentage determination.

Fast forward to today. Currently it is easy to extract enough DNA for analysis from hair samples. A sample of hair from the tail switch of a newborn calf or from an ear sample obtained while tagging the calf can provide all that is needed for parentage analysis and much more. Current analyses use what are referred to as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine parentage and to predict carcass traits in cattle. These advances have come as a result of work that has sequenced the cattle genome and found single molecule variants that are inherited. Whether microsatellites or SNPs are analyzed the particular pattern found in each animal is referred to as a genotype and the process as genotyping. Genotyping using SNPs is now common for parentage analysis and recently for analysis of carcass traits such as the inheritance of tenderness, intramuscular fat (marbling), rib eye size, back fat thickness, carcass weight and yield and quality grades. 

Our breed has suffered from the fact that we have so few animals available that we have not been able to produce useful EPDs for our bulls. There are several companies that can supply the genetic analyses mentioned above and the Belted Galloway Society is investigating what would be necessary to facilitate these analyses for our membership so that we can potentially develop a useful EPD system for our breed and further differentiate our animal from the rest. 

Look to future issues to explore modern approaches to parentage analysis and the unique genetic characteristics of our breed as production animals.

Grand Champion Female, Oatley’s Farm Azalea bred and owned by Victoria Oatley (RI).

Youth Expo Fryeburg, ME

A youth show  hosted by the BGS, BYG and NEGG was held during the National Sale in April. Representing the Belted Galloway breed were 18 heifers and 2 Belted Galloway steers. 

Grand Champion Female, Oatley's Farm Azalea owned by Victoria Oatley (RI). Reserve, Moonshadow Diane owned by Francis Quimby (ME).

Grand Champion Steer, Prock Ridge Mr. Wiggles owned by Lauren Guptil (ME).  Reserve, owned by Kaitlyn Smith (ME).

The closeout summary letter on Lot 4425 said, "These cattle were very interesting." Most conversations that begin with these or similar words indicate a polite statement will follow indicating the cattle were outside the norm. 

Lot 4425 was the first small-frame score (4.4) calves the Dickinson Research Extension Center sent to a commercial feed yard. The calves were small, compared with typical North Dakota steers, even if one didn't understand what a 4.4 meant. 

The norm can be confining. Sometimes it is fun to explore outside the standard norms. Ask some questions others thought they answered a long time ago. In this case, it's the value of smaller-framed cattle. 

Like it or not, the world changes gradually, yet there is enormous energy and effort expended to keep the status quo. The present is generally where we find comfort and security, while the unknown is forbidding. 

But change does come. Our folks get older and our children seem to be catching up. No one around us is standing still because it's not an option. When we gather around the table, we realize that, for one generation, it is time to let go and for the next generation, it is time to grab hold. 

For those generations that get slightly off course, Mother Nature guides the next generation back on course. For the homeowner, it may be depreciation. For the landowner, it may be lost productivity. For the cattle producer, it may be simple mortality. For us personally, it may be another aching joint. In any case, nature wins out. 

The world moves on. You can fight it, but you are not going to win. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, motivated and forward thinking. In fact, we should be, but as our years advance, wisdom, common sense and a flavoring of practicality should dominate. 

Continued perpetuation of what we have may be the norm. Yet, if what we have is out of sync with Mother Nature, we soon will realize that there is no force and no inputs that can perpetually offset a system or world that is tilted. 

It is not easy to challenge systems. Recently, I came across a comment by Kit Pharo of the Pharo Cattle Company out of Colorado.

Kit was reflecting on feedback he received from comments about calving dates. "I know I upset people who see no possible way to calve in sync with nature. Please do not waste your time being mad at me. I don't care when you calve or why you calve when you calve. I am just stating my opinions. Calving in sync with nature works for me -- and it has worked for everyone else that I know of who has tried it. This is a free country and you are free to calve whenever you want to - for whatever reasons you have." 

Kit is right. In the world of conservative agriculture, it is not easy to voice an opinion, but opinions are voiced. Current production practices are driven and need to be driven by economics and marketing standards that allow for a sensible industry. 

But at least for today, since I am out of room, I will pull another quote in from Kit. "Many people mistakenly believe any cow under a 5 frame is a dwarf or a miniature of some sort. They're wrong. When you add thickness and fleshing ability to a smaller-framed cow, you have a package that is without equal. We have some thick, easy fleshing 3 and 4 frame cows that can easily weigh 1,200 pounds. That's big enough for any cowherd." 

More data next time, but for now, as we started, "These cattle were very interesting." 
____________
Source: Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist; NDSU Extension Service 

Aldermere Ritz, high selling female at NELE at Windsor (ME).
Bred and owned by Aldermere Farm (ME).

Northeast Livestock Expo a success

Following the New England Galloway Group’s very successful sale in their first foray organizing the National Belted Galloway Sale, the Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) kicked off their inaugural multi-specie event in Windsor (ME) with damp weather but outstanding results. The purebred sale was the 17th annual and once again was led by Belties with six head selling for an average of $2,815 including Aldermere Ritz as the high selling lot at $4,150.

The move by the Maine Beef Producers to join the sheep and goat organizations for a multi-specie event and leave Fryeburg was a difficult decision for all involved but proved to be prudent as the number of non-Beltie purebred consignments were higher than it had been in years and the commercial feeder calf sale sold 50% more head given the better location and easy access to the highway. The combined Fryeburg Beltie sale and the NELE purebred sale meant that nearly 100 head of purebred cattle sold making it a very successful year for all producers involved.

The youth events completed the move, allowing for many more educational programs and competitive options. Having the sheep and goat shows allowed many of the younger siblings of beef animal participants to also be involved in the non-owned showmanship divisions. In all, over 100 youth had animals at the NELE. Both groups are actively planning for repeats in 2008!

The 2007 Annual General Meeting will be hosted by Meadow View Farm and the Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville, VT  October 19–21.  It is anticipated to be a weekend Belted Galloway breeders will remember for a long time. There will BYG showmanship classes, breed show, demonstrations and other activities for the youth. For the general membership activities include farm tours, educational demonstrations, the New England Classic Belted Galloway Sale and time with fellow Belted Galloway enthusiasts. Truly an event you won’t want to miss!

For information contact: Steve Downing (866) 626-3104.

An insert will appear in the August newsletter with airport information and event registration fees. Schedule below:

Saturday, October 20, 2007
7 a.m.                        Continental Breakfast
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.         Fall Council Meeting 
8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.    BYG activities at barn with Holly Hall.
10 a.m.– 11 a.m.        Farm Tours.  Animal viewing and talk with breeders.
11a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Showmanship – BYG Demonstration
11:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.   BBQ Lunch
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.         Youth Showing  /  Demonstrations
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.         Animal viewing and talk with breeders.
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.    New England Fall Classic Sale (Trucking will be available)
6 p.m.                       Dinner and Live Auction (Please bring an item(s) to be auctioned. 
                                All proceeds to benefit BYG endeavors and the Belted  Galloway 
                                Foundation for college scholarships.)

Sunday, October 21, 2007
7 a.m.                      Continental Breakfast
8 a.m.—12 p.m.      Annual General Meeting of the Belted  Galloway Society 
                               ALL WELCOME!
12 p.m.                   Weekend ends.

Plans are being made for a New England Fall Classic Sale to be hosted by Meadow View Farm, Lyndonville, VT on Saturday, October 20, 2007.

The event will be held in conjunction with the Belted Galloway Society Annual General Meeting.

All Belted Galloway Breeders are invited to consign to the sale.  The sale will contain approximately 30 lots. It will be made up of a maximum of 3 bulls and the remainder of the consignments will be open females, bred females, cow/calf pairs, embryo’s, flushes and semen. In order to consign a bull the breeder must also consign a female lot.  We are inviting both halter broken animals and are providing pens for non halter broken cattle.

The cattle will be screened for quality before the catalog is printed.  All cattle must be born in the year 2000 or later.  The females in this sale that are two years old or older must be examined either safe in calf or have a calf at side for the sale. All bulls, 12 months old or older, must be semen tested.

Nominations are due July 15, 2007. Advertising space in the catalog is available for anyone interested.

Anyone wishing to participate in the sale, may contact:
            Steve Downing  (802) 626-1116
            Keith Jones        (843) 928-3983
            Michelle Ogle     (908) 781-5576

The Belted Galloway Foundation has announced the A. H. Chatfield Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients. The A.H. Chatfield Jr., Memorial Scholarship was established by members of the Belted Galloway Society in memory of A. H. Chatfield, Jr. of Rockport ME.  Mr. Chatfield’s Aldermere Farm provided much of this country’s foundational breeding stock. He spent 50 years raising Belted Galloways, preserving and promoting the breed.

When the scholarship was initially implemented, only one scholarship was awarded per year. The Belted Galloway Foundation determined that the scholarship fund could support awarding (3) $500 scholarships per year.

The selection process includes judging each applicant’s scholastic standing, community service, school and extracurricular activities, leadership participation and a written essay. 

A committee of judges independently read the applications and rates them in numerical order. Each application is assigned a rating value by the Foundation based upon their numerical standing, thus the three applicants with the highest ranking are awarded the scholarship. Brianna Flanagan (MA), David Ross Fogle (IL), and Rachel Leone (CT) have been awarded the 2007 scholarships. Below are very brief highlights of their applications.

 
Brianna Flanagan of South Yarmouth (MA), an animal science major, has completed her sophomore year at the University of Massachusetts. Her career plans include becoming a food animal veterinarian and one of her goals is to bring sustainable agriculture back to the area of Cape Cod. Brianna joined the UMass Belted Galloway Group in 2005 and is currently serving as President of that organization. Brianna is excited that the Belted Galloway herd at UMass is used in research projects such as Brucellosis at the microbial level, evaluating new forms of tattoo identification for the NAIS, and in the fall 2007 will become an intensively managed, rotational grazing project. Brianna states that there are always budget constraints within the animal science department at UMass and it is a challenge for her as the President of the UMass Belted Galloway Group. Brianna is hopeful that her experiences with Belted Galloway cattle will help her facilitate writing her honors thesis project, as the breed has become a true passion in her life.

David Ross Fogle of Congerville (IL) will enter college in the fall 2007 at Joliet Junior College near Chicago, IL. Ross will begin his college career as an ag transfer student, transferring his junior year to a 4-year-university, seeking a degree in environmental conservation or wildlife biology. Ross conveyed to us the importance of using conservation practices to manage the family farm while ensuring a natural habitat for wildlife in the center of production agriculture. Ross’ successes in 4-H and FFA livestock judging have helped him secure a position on the JJC Livestock Judging Team. He will travel the national circuit with his team and compete officially his sophomore year. He is hopeful to continue his participation judging livestock at a 4-year-university. Ross told us his experiences of being a member of the BYG, showing, raising and attending Beltie Camp at the UTM have all been rewarding experiences, developing his love of agriculture and Belted Galloway cattle. He stated the breed is unique and will continue to evolve in conformation and carcass traits in the next two decades.

Rachel Leone of Lebanon (CT), an animal science major, has completed her sophomore year at the University of Connecticut. Rachel told us that after years of showing many breeds, the Belted Galloway has become her favorite. Rachel was a member of the Lebanon 4-H Dairy and Beef Club. She has held several leadership positions, most recently president. She currently is a member of the UConn Block and Bridle Club. Rachel purchased her first heifer in 2005 and has been showing and promoting her. In 2006 Rachel traveled to eight fairs and accompanied her 4-H Beef Team to the Big E. Rachel enjoys her role as ambassador of Belted Galloway breed and looks forward to developing her own Belted Galloway herd.

Owners long on cattle experience agree that only about 1 in 10 bull calves are so superior, so worthy, that we might consider them potential herd sires. When a young, unproven bull is marketed as a herd sire prospect, the buyer is likely to make the assumption that he's a cut above the rest of our year's calf crop. After all, if he wasn't darn near perfect we'd steer him for the freezer, right?

Let's not disappoint that buyer!

Before advertising a young male as a breeder we must be sure he is well conformed, tracks properly, has good legs and feet, and exhibits good weight gains. We should have data available on his birth weight, 205-day weaning weight, and yearling weight. If he's reached breeding age (around 18 months), it's definitely a plus to have his semen checked for quantity and motility. 

Any data available should appear in your advertisement along with his birth date and the names of his sire and dam. Further, beginning immediately, it is required that registration numbers be included on bulls advertised for sale in the Hotline and newsletter.

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

GLBGA Blow and Go Show
July 7 2007. Pecatonica, IL. 
Contact Lisa Lovett (815) 652-3789 or lovett@essex1.com.

Union Fair/Maine Wild Blueberry Festival
August 19-25 2007, Union, ME.
Contact Loraine Prock (207) 832-4715 or prockfrm@midcoast.com.

Windsor Fair 
August 26-September 3, 2007, Windsor, ME. 
Contact Curtis Prime (207) 621-4167.

The Big E (Eastern States Exposition)
September 14-30, 2007, Springfield, MA. 
Contact Michelle Ogle (908) 781-5576 or mobcurly@aol.com.

World Beef Expo
September 28-30, 2007 Milwaukee, WI.
Contact Mark Keller (815) 248-4687 or oakvalley@stateline.isp.com.

Fryeburg Fair
September 30-October 7, Fryeburg, ME. 
Contact Fair Office (207) 935-3268.

Western Belted Galloway Association 2007 annual meeting
October 5-6, Reno, Nevada.
Contact John Rozelle (928) 779-5704 or SARbelties@aol.com.

Annual General Meeting & New England Fall Classic Sale
October 19-21 at  Meadow View Farm, Lyndonville, VT. 
Contact Laura Glassmann (717) 677-9655 or beltiecows@aol.com. 

Secretarial Office Phone Hours ...
Phone hours are Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST). A detailed message may be left at any time. 
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