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Belted Galloways ????
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<blockquote data-quote="Rahe Family Belties" data-source="post: 964136" data-attributes="member: 18193"><p>Belties are a niche breed and not for everyone.. These are my obesrvations and experiences with the breed. </p><p></p><p>People are drawn to their beautiful black and white coats, calm demeaners and overall charm.</p><p>Mommas do a good job calving every year and usually weaning a heavy calf.(for their size as they are typically moderate)</p><p>I have found the cows to be remarkably efficient foragers. </p><p>Belties are amazingly hardy. Mine seem to prefer laying in the recent mud and rain rather than seeking shelter inside.</p><p>Bulls are aggressive breeders.</p><p>Heifers I am growing now are getting fat on very limited grain,4-5 pounds/day, and good grass hay.</p><p>I have four young steers on feed now, (once again limited grain,about 6 lb/day, and grass hay) that are growing about 2-2.5 pounds a day. I will push them a little harder later and should get them to 3 pounds/day. </p><p>That is not great growth compared to some crossbred and Angus steers I am feeding(3.5-4 pounds/ day), but these are on full feed of 20+ pounds/day.</p><p>I think I'll make more money on the Belties, despite the longer feed period. </p><p>That may not actually be that much longer as the Belties are usually killed at 950-1000 rather than the 1400 for the Angus and crossbred steers.</p><p></p><p>I mentioned that Belties are a niche breed. I don't get a lot of respect from other showmen for my choice of Belted Galloway cattle. That doesn't bother me in the least as I get calls/emails weekly from folks around the country who are looking for cattle. In the last year I have had inquiries from about 10 states and one Canadian province. The market for purebred cattle is there! The market for crossbred and mis-marked cattle is weaker. I wish I had more pasture and larger facilities. I would have a lot more cows on hand.</p><p></p><p>Prices I receive are well above sale barn price and I have not sold one through a sale barn. Had two cows come up short bred recently and a local guy swept them up to use as fall calvers.</p><p></p><p>Most of the folks that raise/sell Beltie beef have long waiting lists, that is how strong their demand is. I sold a bull last summer to a breeder in IL/WI who shared with me that he averages $5000 in retail sales for each Beltie steer he can raise. That is about $12-15 per pound for the carcass. Sure, he has to absorb processing and marketing costs, but how can you beat that? I'll receive a healthy premium when I slaughter my Belted steers next summer.</p><p></p><p>Belties are not for everyone, especially folks who deal in large numbers of commercial cattle that rely upon volume and checks from salebarns. They are wonderful for kids and smaller farms where a slower pace is desired and appreciated. </p><p></p><p>I recently bought three heifers from a family where the lady of the house broke the calves before sale. BTW, she is a very slightly-made 75-ish grandmother. :nod: </p><p></p><p>Not for everyone, but certainly right for me.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rahe Family Belties, post: 964136, member: 18193"] Belties are a niche breed and not for everyone.. These are my obesrvations and experiences with the breed. People are drawn to their beautiful black and white coats, calm demeaners and overall charm. Mommas do a good job calving every year and usually weaning a heavy calf.(for their size as they are typically moderate) I have found the cows to be remarkably efficient foragers. Belties are amazingly hardy. Mine seem to prefer laying in the recent mud and rain rather than seeking shelter inside. Bulls are aggressive breeders. Heifers I am growing now are getting fat on very limited grain,4-5 pounds/day, and good grass hay. I have four young steers on feed now, (once again limited grain,about 6 lb/day, and grass hay) that are growing about 2-2.5 pounds a day. I will push them a little harder later and should get them to 3 pounds/day. That is not great growth compared to some crossbred and Angus steers I am feeding(3.5-4 pounds/ day), but these are on full feed of 20+ pounds/day. I think I'll make more money on the Belties, despite the longer feed period. That may not actually be that much longer as the Belties are usually killed at 950-1000 rather than the 1400 for the Angus and crossbred steers. I mentioned that Belties are a niche breed. I don't get a lot of respect from other showmen for my choice of Belted Galloway cattle. That doesn't bother me in the least as I get calls/emails weekly from folks around the country who are looking for cattle. In the last year I have had inquiries from about 10 states and one Canadian province. The market for purebred cattle is there! The market for crossbred and mis-marked cattle is weaker. I wish I had more pasture and larger facilities. I would have a lot more cows on hand. Prices I receive are well above sale barn price and I have not sold one through a sale barn. Had two cows come up short bred recently and a local guy swept them up to use as fall calvers. Most of the folks that raise/sell Beltie beef have long waiting lists, that is how strong their demand is. I sold a bull last summer to a breeder in IL/WI who shared with me that he averages $5000 in retail sales for each Beltie steer he can raise. That is about $12-15 per pound for the carcass. Sure, he has to absorb processing and marketing costs, but how can you beat that? I'll receive a healthy premium when I slaughter my Belted steers next summer. Belties are not for everyone, especially folks who deal in large numbers of commercial cattle that rely upon volume and checks from salebarns. They are wonderful for kids and smaller farms where a slower pace is desired and appreciated. I recently bought three heifers from a family where the lady of the house broke the calves before sale. BTW, she is a very slightly-made 75-ish grandmother. :nod: Not for everyone, but certainly right for me. [/QUOTE]
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