Belted Galloway MANUAL The Belted Galloway Foundation, Inc. Published © December, 2003, June 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS IN MEMORY ........................................................................................................................................... VII IN APPRECIATION.................................................................................................................................. VIII I. THE BREED .................................................................................................................................... I-1 HISTORY AND ATTRIBUTES ................................................................................................................... I-1 FOUNDATION HERDS: IMPORTS ............................................................................................................ I-3 STANDARDS: BREED DATA ................................................................................................................. I-10 Base Ranges…. ........................................................................................................... …………….I-10 Bulls .................................................................................................................................................I-10 Cows .................................................................................................................................................I-10 Calves ...............................................................................................................................................I-10 Weanlings .........................................................................................................................................I-10 GENETIC CONSERVATION .................................................................................................................... I-11 II. HERD MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................... II-1 SELECTING A BELTED GALLOWAY SIRE .............................................................................................. II-1 ARTIFICIALLY BREEDING BELTIES ....................................................................................................... II-2 THE PROCESS OF EMBRYO TRANSFER .................................................................................................. II-4 GALLOWAY GESTATION TABLE ........................................................................................................... II-6 WHEN COWS NEED HELP ..................................................................................................................... II-7 The Reproductive Tract .................................................................................................................... II-7 Birthing ............................................................................................................................................ II-7 Difficult Births ................................................................................................................................. II-8 DEALING WITH UTERINE PROLAPSE ................................................................................................... II-10 NON-INFECTIOUS REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS ................................................................................... II-11 Nutritional Factors.......................................................................................................................... II-11 Hereditary Abnormalities ............................................................................................................... II-11 Injuries ............................................................................................................................................ II-12 Hormonal Disturbances .................................................................................................................. II-12 FOOT AND HOOF CARE ....................................................................................................................... II-13 KEEPING PROPER HERD RECORDS...................................................................................................... II-14 ADJUSTED WEIGHTS ........................................................................................................................... II-15 DEFINING EPDS .................................................................................................................................. II-15 TATTOOING ....................................................................................................................................... II-16 Legible Tattoos ............................................................................................................................... II-16 Equipment ...................................................................................................................................... II-16 Suppliers ......................................................................................................................................... II-17 HANDLING CATTLE ............................................................................................................................. II-18 Stress .............................................................................................................................................. II-18 Fences ............................................................................................................................................. II-19 Pens and Chutes ............................................................................................................................. II-21 Low-Cost Two-Man Corral ............................................................................................................ II-22 BELTED GALLOWAY SELECTION GUIDE ............................................................................................ II-23 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... II-23 Visual Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... II-23 Belted Galloway Breeders Manual, Preface Page ii What to Look for in a Desirable Female ........................................................................................ II-24 Evaluating the Udder ...................................................................................................................... II-25 What to Look for in a Desirable Male ............................................................................................ II-25 Scrotal Shape and Circumference .................................................................................................. II-26 Legs and Feet ................................................................................................................................. II-26 Other Desirable Breed Characteristics ........................................................................................... II-27 PURCHASING A BELTED GALLOWAY BULL QUESTIONS TO ASK ....................................................... II-28 Intended Use: ................................................................................................................................. II-28 Physical Inspection:........................................................................................................................ II-28 Breeding Soundness: ...................................................................................................................... II-29 Genetics and Health: ...................................................................................................................... II-29 Terms of Sale: ................................................................................................................................ II-30 PURCHASING A BELTED GALLOWAY COW QUESTIONS TO ASK ........................................................ II-31 Intended Use: ................................................................................................................................. II-31 Physical Inspection:........................................................................................................................ II-31 Breeding/Calving History: ............................................................................................................. II-32 Genetics and Health: ...................................................................................................................... II-32 Terms of Sale: ................................................................................................................................ II-33 PURCHASING A BELTED GALLOWAY HEIFER QUESTIONS TO ASK .................................................... II-34 Intended Use: ................................................................................................................................. II-34 Physical Inspection:........................................................................................................................ II-34 Genetics: ......................................................................................................................................... II-35 Health: ...........................................................................................................................................