The UMass Belted Galloway Management classes ANIMLSCI 232 and ANIMLSCI 252 provide students with the opportunity to learn about the beef cattle production cycle and participate actively in all aspects of herd management, including:  handling, vaccinating, deworming, breeding, calving, halter breaking, weaning, feeding, fitting, showing, marketing, and maintaining the health and welfare of the herd. Students also have the opportunity to visit local beef farms and attend livestock shows, such as the Big East Regional Youth and Jackpot Show in the spring.

A group of seven people and five cows standing for a photo.
A cow and a calf in a field.

Beltie Mother and Daughter gave birth on the same day! On June 20, 2017 Satin, our 11 year-old beltie, delivered a 55 pound heifer calf.

A cow and a calf in a field.

Satin's four year-old daughter, Sadie, (left) also delivered a heifer calf.

Image of the 2016 Richard C. Anderson award, a blue diamond shape on a white background.

The Belted Galloway Management class was tremendously honored to receive the Richard C. Anderson Memorial Award at the Big E in West Springfield this fall! The award recognizes dedication to the Belted Galloway breed of beef cattle.

Richard C. Anderson purchased farm land in Vermont in 1969, and he added Belted Galloway cattle from Maine and Ohio in 1977. In 1988, Anderson imported four Beltie heifers from the oldest foundation herd in Scotland (dating back to 1854!) as well as an award-winning bull, Bolebec Dun Controller. Anderson Hill Farm continued to grow in size and herd genetic merit, and is now one of the premiere Beltie farms in the country.

The UMass Belted Galloway Management class is committed to promoting the Belted Galloway breed and to striving to meet the high standards set by Anderson Hill Farm. The UMass Beltie herd was originally started by a group of interested students in 2004, and is now a credited management course offered both fall and spring semesters.

The UMass Belted Galloway Management Class provides students with the opportunity to learn about the beef cattle production cycle and to participate actively in all aspects of herd management. Students also visit local beef farms and attend local and regional livestock shows.


Students from the Belted Galloway Cattle Management class are pictured here with UMass Scout and UMass Will-O-The-Wisp at the 2017 Big East:

Three students posing with cows at an event.
A person holding a cow tied by a rope at a fair.

 

Two people posing next to a cow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belted Galloways originated in Scotland and came to the United States in the mid-1900s. The cows have a double-layered coat that protects them from the cold. They are also naturally polled, meaning they are born without horns.

Belties are nicknamed "Oreo cows" due to their black hides with a white stripe down the middle. Although black is the most common color, they can also come in dun (different shades of brown) and red.

Sunset over a field.

Our foundation stock traveled from Aldermere Farm in Maine to UMass in March 2003. The Belted Galloway Group was started by a group of interested students during the spring semester of 2004 and is now a credited course offered both fall and spring semesters.

Beltie meat is lower in fat, yet still juicy and tender. Our own Belted Galloway beef will be available for purchase in the spring of 2015.

The UMass Belted Galloways kicked off the fall 2014 semester strong with preparation for the Big E starting at the end of the summer. After weeks of dedicated show practice, pampering, and fitting, our two steers, Monarch Michael (Mikey) and Winston were shown in their weight class in the Belted Galloway Show and in a collegiate showmanship class at the Big E. In the Belted Galloway Show, Mikey won first place with Teaching Assistant Lisa Delorme and Winston won second place with Teaching Assistant Christine O’Brien in their weight class. Mikey proceeded to win third place in a winner’s class.

 

Cows in a field.

For more information, contact:

Katherine Beltaire, faculty advisor
413-545-2428
Integrated Sciences Building 427ZZ

You can also request information via @email

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