About the Herd
Like so many things that happen in peoples lives, there was no real start or plan which resulted in the formation of the Shelsleys herd of Belted Galloways. We were approached by the rare breeds trust in the early 2000's to become a finishing unit for rare and minority breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs. The opportunity resulted in us visiting many farms and smallholdings all over the country to purchase store animals and fatten them up for rare breed butchers.
The people who kept those animals made an impact on us, their dedication often resulted in their chosen breed being rescued from near extinction. On one such visit to a small farm in the Cotwolds 3 Belted Galloway steers were purchased, and so our interest in the breed began.
The people who kept those animals made an impact on us, their dedication often resulted in their chosen breed being rescued from near extinction. On one such visit to a small farm in the Cotwolds 3 Belted Galloway steers were purchased, and so our interest in the breed began.
We had kept cattle for many years and after the problems faced by livestock keepers in the 1990's and early 2000's we decided that we would trying to enjoy our job more, with less emphasis on a commercial level and more on a long term and satisfying footing, so the Shelsleys herd of pedigree Belted Galloways was born.
The main objectives of the herd are to maintain the breed characteristics, a medium sized cow with a wide head, deep body and white band. Culling of cattle with bad traits has been undertaken over the last few years.
The long term aim is to provide new or different bloodlines by using bulls which are not mainstream. Our main herd sire is Southfield Superstar, a Karandrea Ronaldo Son bred by Julie Strachey in Cornwall. We also have a Ronaldo grandson in the herd.
The main objectives of the herd are to maintain the breed characteristics, a medium sized cow with a wide head, deep body and white band. Culling of cattle with bad traits has been undertaken over the last few years.
The long term aim is to provide new or different bloodlines by using bulls which are not mainstream. Our main herd sire is Southfield Superstar, a Karandrea Ronaldo Son bred by Julie Strachey in Cornwall. We also have a Ronaldo grandson in the herd.