Carol Remick's Belted Galloways

EMPTY NEST - By Curt Swarm

You might know, Carol's husband, Joe, was gone, the temperatures outside were soaring, and Carol was home alone when her first three Belted Galloways (Belties) calved.  She was excited, nervous and very unsure of her abilities in this situation.  But she knew she had to assist them – somehow.  Fortunately, her son Carson was available to help, and the calves arrived with no complications.  Two new Beltie calves were born on July 9; and one on July 10. The first calf was a heifer.  Carol named her Liberty Belle after the 4th of July.  The bull calves are yet to be named.  She prefers them to have strong names, like Independence, Revolution, or even Revere, after Paul Revere.
What are Belted Galloway cattle? The Belted Galloway is a traditional Scottish breed of beef cattle, originating from the Galloway region of Scotland. This smaller, stocky breed are most often black, like Carol’s, but other colors, can occur. “Oreo Cows,” as many call them, have a distinctive broad white belt around their mid-section. This makes them unique and somewhat of a novelty in our area. Belties are known for their lean beef, efficient grazing, and quiet temperament – except for when they calve! Belties have a very strong maternal instinct.
How did Carol Remick get involved with Belties?  She and her husband Joe farm west of Salem, on the beltway (get it?) between Salem and Hillsboro. Their three children -Spenser, Morgan, and Carson - all went to Central College in Pella, so there were many trips in that direction.  As y'all may have observed, just east of Fairfield on Highway 34, there is a farm on the south side of the highway that has Belties.  Carol always admired the cute black-and-white cattle as she sped by.  She happened to mention them to Joe.  Well, that Christmas of 2018, Joe said he had a surprise for her.  She weaseled the secret out of him.  He had made plans to purchase Belties for her. They went to Bloomington, IL and bought four registered Belties, three were heifers, and one was bred.  They had their first baby Beltie in 2019.
So, Carol was born a muck-boot farm girl, right?  Nope.  She's a tried-and-true city girl from Burlington who married a farmer 40 years ago.  But she eats challenges for breakfast, after choring, of course.  She also credits making an investment in herself by hiring a personal trainer.  She does strength training twice a week, for what she calls “functional fitness,” enabling her to lift heavy gates, carry buckets of water, wrangle baby calves, and face down Marcee, aka “Salty Girl” (their most aggressive cow) when she gets vocal and rambunctious. 
The Remick's now have six Beltie heifers.  For their first breeding cycle, they used artificial insemination.  On the second go-around, however, AI failed.  What to do? Finding a registered Beltie bull was the solution.  But a Beltie bull that would fit into their herd was scarce as hens' teeth.  Carol didn't want to go all the way to Texas, Colorado, or farther for a bull.  Lo-and-behold, they were able to locate a one-year-old, Beltie bull at Sperry, Iowa.  They brought registered Highland Oaks Farm King Hercules home, and he went right to work.  He is now a proud father, passing on his wide white belt, thick black coat, and calm temperament.  Carol claims his calves weigh 50 – 55 lbs when born; at least that's what her son Carson estimated as he carried one of the calves from the pasture to the barn.  Hercules had been raised as a county fair show animal and had lots of attention.  He is quite gentle, affectionate, and Carol loves him. 
The heat and humidity have been hard on the baby Belties as well as the mamas.  Joe and Carol set up a little child's pool outside the barn, and Carol has been hand bathing one of the weaker babies.  They have also been bottle feeding it electrolytes.  Will that child's pool still be used by the Remick's grandchildren?  Not likely, but that's life on the beltway.
What is Carol's goal with her herd of Belted Galloways?  As a “farmer,” she doesn't want to go in the hole feeding animals.  For now, she plans to continue the breed with registered cattle, make a little cash selling the offspring, and enjoy the novelty and nature of her small herd on their beltway farm.   And she wants to have fun.  Check!   
Have a good story?  Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him a curtswarm@yahoo.com.  Curt is available for public speaking.