There’s good reasons for Nannas Farm Belted Galloway cattle to be processed at an older age compared to other beef breeds. Patience truly is a virtue, but commercial cattle producers need to churn their herds as time is $$
- Slower Growth Rate
Galloways are a slower-maturing breed compared to many commercial beef cattle. They take longer to reach their scrumptious best, often not until 24-30 months of age. Most commercial beef is only 15 months old.
- Grass-Fed/Forage-Based
Our Galloways thrive on a forage/grass-based diet their entire lives. They are not well-suited to grain-finishing at a young age like cattle bred for feedlot production. Allowing them to mature on grass results in processing at an older age.
- Efficient Foragers
Galloways are very efficient at converting forage into body weight. They can continue grazing and putting on condition over a longer period before processing.
- Carcass Quality
Allowing Galloways to mature slowly on forage enhances marbling and tends to produce more flavorful, tender beef when processed at older ages.
- Heritage Breed Qualities
As a heritage breed, our Galloways are managed differently than commercial beef production. There is less emphasis on rapid feedlot weight gain.
So in essence, the Belted Galloway's biological tendencies, grass-based diet, and breeding as a heritage beef animal favour allowing the cattle to mature longer before processing, which maximizes the quality traits of the meat.