Please bear this deficit in mind when noting comparisons between the regions. Northern averages are fairly definitive, but the percentage of Southern and Western animals included is too small to be considered more than a sampling. 

The good news is that breeders who did respond included excellent scale weights, weaning information, and precise measures covering 79% of the animals reported in this summary. The 21% which were estimated fell well within the ranges defined for each age group by the scale weighed and measured animals in the chart below.

Respondent breeders indicated preferences for first breeding of heifers ranging from 13 to 24 months of age, with overall average preference being 18.7 months. When size was used as first consideration, the average of expressed weight preferences was 775 lbs.

Seventeen percent of the reported cows lost calves or were open, this figure exhibiting a 3% decrease from the 20% noted in the 1995 survey.

Mismarkings occurred in 9% of the reported purebred calves and 17% of calves produced by Appendix cows. Together this comprises 13% of the total reported calf crop, a significant decrease from the 22% and 17% noted in the 1995 and 1991 surveys.

Spring is definitely the season of choice for calf production, with 57% of respondents' calves born in this season. Eighteen percent opted for summer calves, 13% of the respondents' calves arrived in the fall and 12% in winter.

Birth weight extremes ranged from a low of 45 lbs. to highs of 101 and 102 lbs., but most calves were close to the overall average birth weights -- 74 lbs. for males and 71 lbs. for females.

Average reported birth weights for male and female calves, summarized by season, are:

The majority of the calves were weaned at or close to the overall average of 185 days (six months). Some, however, were removed from the dam as early as 120 days after birth, and a couple of calves were not weaned until achieving 12 months of age.

Daily weight gains (ADG) calculated from the data supplied ranged from lows of .76 lb. to highs of 2.96 lbs. Slightly better rates of gain were noted among those calves allowed to nurse six or seven months. The overall average gains per day amounted to 1.78 lbs. for females and 1.88 lbs. for males.

Actual weaning weights reportedly averaged 442 lbs. for females and 425 lbs. for males, which on the adjusted 205-day scale translates to 451 lbs., females, and 480 lbs., males.

Definitive information received on approximately 85 males was averaged for the table below. Hip height is from highest point of hip to the ground in inches, length is measured point-of-shoulder to tailhead.

Over half noted additional criteria important to the selection process -- disposition, pedigree, performance records and libido among them.

Calfhood vaccinations (brucellosis) were administered by 83% of respondents, 4% more than the 1995 survey indicated. In addition to the shots routinely administered, use of other injections were mentioned by one-third of the respondents, including IBR (rhino), BVD (Bovine diarrhea), and several forms of 7-way or 9-way preparations. Nine percent of the respondents have added rabies shots to their arsenal of preventatives.

Artificial insemination costs reported in 1997 ranged from $25 to $400, with overall average cost calculated at $91 per live birth.

Costs in 1997 ranged from $300 to $500, averaging $378 per live birth overall.

Respondents in 1997 reported five donor cow flushes, with viable ova counts ranging from 3 to 6.5. Average viable ova count was 4.8.

Hanging weight in 1997 responses averaged 59.8% of live weight, a decrease from 61.1% reported in the prior survey. Hanging weights ranged from 57% to 64%.

Preferred ages for slaughter ranged from 12 to 27 months, with overall average preference being 18 months of age. Average weight preferred for a slaughter animal was 1065 lbs.

Plea for Carcass Data
We have on several occasions included a carcass data reporting form in the U.S. Beltie News with the request that members converting Belties to meat would take time to supply the Society with their butcher's data on YIELD GRADE and QUALITY GRADE.

By the close of 1997 we had received carcass information on less than two dozen animals -- not enough to include a definitive report in this summary. An explanation of the data-gathering project and copy of the form are available on the Beltie pages at Peforming Carcass Evaluations. 

The information gleaned from submissions has been published as ranges and averages in a beef pamphlet designed to assist breeders establishing markets for their beef, available from the Belted Galloway Society's Editor

This table is apt to reflect optimum ranges, as it is likely that showmen would exhibit individuals reflecting top rates of gain. It should be stressed that balance, conformation, 'typeyness' and productivity are equally important (but very hard to quantify in a chart).