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Why Belted Galloway?

lone beltie

First off, Belted Galloways (Belties) are beautiful! These “pasture candy” cows are mostly black, but rarer colored duns and reds with the signature white stripe are occasionally found. Our herd of Beltie’s consists mostly of black with white stripes, but we do have a few of the rarer reds.

Belted Galloways are well-suited for rough grazing lands like in West Texas. They are an ancient breed of cattle originating from the highlands of Scotland. They will use course grasses that other cattle breeds will shun, and they are able to maintain good condition on less than ideal pasture. Throughout history, this breed has been well known for it’s fine-textured, tender, high quality and delicious meat coming from a completely grass fed diet alone.

The USDA Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) at Clay Center, Nebraska conducted an extensive testing of multiple beef animal traits from 1986 to 1990. The results were stunning! When compared to every breed tested, from Black Angus to Herefords and everything in between, the Belted Galloway beef scored first in flavor and juiciness.

In a similar study in Canada at the University of Guelph, it was concluded that Belted Galloway meat is more beneficial than pork loin and about equal to chicken. Nutritional studies have showed that compared to commercially raised grain fed cattle, the meat from the Belted Galloway is 72% lower in total fat calories, 68% lower in total fat, 69% lower in saturated fat, 57% lower in cholesterol, 19% higher in protein, 67% higher in calcium, 73% higher in niacin, and much higher in beneficial CLA’s. The ratios of Omega 6 to Omega 3 (the beneficial lineolic fatty acid) is one of the most healthy meats at 3:1, making it comparable to fish or chicken in a healthy diet.

The choice is clear. Compared to commercially raised cattle breeds, the Belted Galloway is tastier, more tender, more juicy and far more healthy than what most people can buy at the grocery store. Add in the fact that Monk beef is 100% grass fed & finished, you get the best source of deliciously healthy beef on the planet! Our Belties have never been fed grains of any kind. Never have they received growth hormones, steroids or antibiotics. Only pure, delicious meat from our ranch to your table!