Experts assessed the prospects for breeding Galloway beef cattle in Russia

At the end of last year, Russian livestock breeders produced 12.9 million tons of MEAT. This is 4.9% more than in 2021, Rosstat reports . However, not all sub-sectors show positive dynamics. For example, beef production fell to 1 million tons (3.5% less than a year earlier). No wonder, because the number of cattle ( cattle ) is declining.

The main reason for the decline in livestock experts call the low profitability of the industry. The cost of meat consists of  the price of feed, fuel and energy, wages of employees and taxes. As an alternative, farmers propose to develop grazing. “It is beneficial when animals graze in the open during the entire spring-summer period. Pasture maintenance provides for a minimum of costs and, accordingly, a low cost of meat production,” says Andrey Fadeichev, HEAD of the Davydovskoye farm (Yaroslavl region).

But not every breed of cattle is adapted to the Spartan grazing conditions, especially when it comes to regions with a cool climate. Here, too, one should not forget about epizootic risks. According to professionals, you need to choose from unpretentious, hardy breeds, such as the Galloway. Its representatives are distinguished by high meat productivity, adapt well to Russian conditions and can even be used in organic animal husbandry.

"Scots" in RUSSIA

Galloways are of Scottish origin, their hallmark is a long wavy coat. The rather harsh climate in which the breed was historically formed left its mark on the appearance of its representatives, diet and methods of keeping in modern conditions.

“The fur of the Galloway is made up of two layers. Upper - long and coarse hair, lower - very dense undercoat. Such a fur coat protects livestock from cold, moisture and wind. However, even in the heat, animals feel comfortable due to excellent thermoregulation. In addition, in summer, a dense skin becomes a reliable protection against blood-sucking insects, ”says Ekaterina Kuznetsova, General DIRECTOR of Smolensky Galloway Tribal Center LLC.

In the USSR, the first Galloways appeared in 1963. They were brought in to study the possibilities of industrial crossing of different breeds of cattle. Crossing Galloway with other breeds is an effective breeding technique that works to improve the meat qualities of livestock. “These animals have strong genetics. Crosses from Galloway cows and bulls of other breeds are strong and hardy, with pronounced characteristics of the Galloway breed. The same applies to covering dairy cows with a Galloway bull or artificial insemination,” says Ekaterina Kuznetsova.

Let's take a look at some numbers. The average weight of a cow of this breed reaches 450-550 kg, a bull - 800-850 kg. Calves are born small, within 24-27 kg, which greatly facilitates calving. But by the age of 15 months, the live weight of bulls is 400-430 kg. Fattening bulls give a slaughter yield of 58–62%. As for meat, experts highly appreciate its marbling, excellent taste and useful properties.

Despite the strengths, the breed did not receive wide distribution in the Soviet period. However, today the situation is changing. “In our country there are several reproducers for breeding the Galloway breed. So now these animals can be found in different parts of the country - from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, in the mountains of Altai and Dagestan. But perhaps the most suitable for them is the middle zone of Russia. Our climate is quite humid and cool, there is a lot of grass, here you can organize year-round grazing,” the expert continues.

With the right to make a mistake

It is difficult to find a more resilient breed of cattle than the Galloway. Thanks to strong, strong legs, these animals can be kept on pastures with a pronounced relief. In terms of diet, they consume many more plant species than other beef breeds. As a result, they feel good and gain weight even on poor, overgrown with weeds, as well as forest pastures.

“Over the years of our work with this breed, we have become convinced that the Galloway is an excellent choice for beginner breeders. Yes, he is unlikely to win in terms of weight gain in comparison, for example, with the Aberdeen Angus, which is in conditions of industrial fattening. However, for small farms this breed is very good. The weight that the Galloway does not gain in the winter, eating exclusively hay (adult animals do not receive supplementary food), he will more than get to the pasture in the summer. Thanks to their endurance, these animals forgive the mistakes of inexperienced farmers,” says the director of the breeding center.

Galloway does not impose any special requirements on the diet. “We stick to grass-fed: in the summer it's grass on the pasture, in the winter it's hay. In addition, in the summer we monitor grazing: we rearrange the groups in a timely manner, preventing depletion, “overeating” of the pasture. This is important so that it lasts a long time. In winter, we monitor the functioning of the drinkers, provide the animals with plenty of hay. Lactating calves at the age of 6–7 months are separated from their mothers, as a result of which groups of weaned young animals are formed. In winter, for a better start and growth, they receive additional feeding in the form of flattened barley, ”explains Ekaterina Kuznetsova about the work algorithms.

Less cost, more efficiency

Smolensky Galloway Breeding Center LLC is one of the largest Russian reproducers with the most recent genetics. Its history began in 2011, when 80 heads of an unusual breed were brought to the Ugransky district of the Smolensk region. The livestock, which arrived straight from Germany, perfectly settled in the new place and grew into healthy, strong young animals adapted to local conditions.

“Extensive farming, to which this breed is responsive, does not require significant capital investment. In foreign sources, you can find the phrase that "Galloway is the minimum cost and maximum efficiency." To a large extent, these words are true. But 10 years ago, the infrastructure of the farm was quite primitive and was not suitable for keeping a large number of Galloway, - recalls the source's interlocutor. – And in 2018, two important events took place: the management of the center changed and the reconstruction of the farm began. We organized a system of open pens for the winter keeping of animals according to the feedlot principle, equipped the pens with automatic non-freezing drinkers. These and other changes have greatly facilitated the work with animals, made it more efficient and, most importantly, interesting.”

Thanks to the modernization, work at Smolensky Galloway began to be built on the principle of "minimum stress for animals - maximum comfort for humans." And in improved conditions, there were also opportunities for livestock growth. So, by the beginning of 2023, the farm already contained 550 heads of cattle, 250 of which were breeding stock.

Cow HEALTH is in the hands of man

On the Internet, you can find information that Galloways practically do not get sick and are not even prone to mastitis. Indeed, in the usual conditions and with properly built work, animals of this breed rarely get sick. However, rumors about the invulnerability of the Galloway are somewhat exaggerated.

“The health of the herd is directly dependent on human actions. During the year, we carry out four seasonal veterinary treatments, state vaccinations against rabies and anthrax, and take blood samples for testing for leukemia and brucellosis. Calves are immunized in two stages: in summer and at weaning. In addition, before calving, we vaccinate pregnant cows - this is necessary for the formation of colostral intrauterine immunity in calves, ”explains Ekaterina Kuznetsova.

Of the difficulties of maintenance, she calls such a seasonal problem as gadflies. Although the Galloways are more fortunate than other breeds due to their dense coat, the center tries to carry out two external processings during the summer period. “We also use burlap pipes stuffed with rags: we soak them in used diesel and insect repellent, hang them between trees - and animals willingly walk under them. Thus, self-processing occurs - a very effective way to deal with blood-sucking insects, ”the expert shares a life hack.