Belted Galloway cattle

Early in my time here at this property I decided that I wanted some cattle. I undertook some research and decided that I would buy some Belted Galloways.

These cattle come from the Galloway region of south-western Scotland. They have characteristic coloring which is black with a white stripe around the stomach. Nowadays they are also seen in dun and red (a light sort of champagne and a brown). Always with the white belt around the belly.

They are hardy cattle who survive well on poor posture and in cold temperatures.

They are also very cute. Docile and sweet in nature.

I was at one of the local agricultural shows and noticed a stand with Belted Galloways. Here I met Stan and his wife. We had some discussions and it was agreed that I would come out to their farm and have a look at his cattle and hopefully choose some to buy.

About a week later Stan delivered five mature females.

He reported that they were very quiet and would be no trouble. And he was correct. The girls turned out to be very sweet.

I like the idea of a distinctive cow. Everybody has black Angus around these parts. The ‘Belties’ are a stand-out in a sea of black.

Down the track a bit I decided that it was time to start breeding.

Stan trucked over a bull.

The cattle were very discrete but effective in their dalliances and my little herd eventually grew to be about 15.

It was at that point that I decided I wasn’t going to breed anymore. I didn’t need to. These cattle are effectively pets, keeping the pasture under control and something beautiful for me to look at and interact with in the paddock.

I named one of the babies ‘Dexter’. He was a robust young fella but a bull he was not destined to be.

A local farmer came to help me to castrate the males. This was to be done by a process called ‘emasculation’ - a rubber ring is placed over and above the testicles. This is done when the calves are young but not too young. The testicles need to have descended.

The ring cuts off the blood supply to the testicles. The testicle withers and dies and eventually drops off.

A more fitting end to a testicle I cannot imagine.

Sometimes during this process [because the animal is stressed] he will pull his testicles back up into his body cavity, making it very difficult for the ring to be put in place. Some cattle farmers prefer to use a knife - cut open the animal, pull out the testicles, cut them off throw them to the dogs.

Another fine ending for a testicle!

When it came to be Dexter’s turn he sucked those testicles upwards. Only one testicle went into the ring. We were unable to locate the remaining testicle and it remained ascended in his body cavity.

The plan was to come back and repeat the operation. However, his remaining testicle never descended.

Dexter continues to walk the Earth with one testicle. (“Hoorah” say all the blokes!)

He looks rather bullish now because he still has the male hormones continuing to be produced by his testicle. However he is as gentle as a bug. The worst he ever does is shake his big head at me.

Dexter

About six years ago, Dexter started limping quite badly. I was worried about it so I called in the Veterinary. She undertook an assessment of him and determined that he had suffered an injury to his leg and was unlikely to recover and the best outcome for him would be to have him put down.

Now I’m not one of those people who is very skeptical of medical advice. I do listen to what they say. However, I thought she was wrong.

Dexter went into a small paddock. Control his movement. Rest. Recover.

Here he remained (with his one testicle) for a few weeks before he was allowed to return to the herd.

He has been thriving ever since.