Belties might just be the most functionally effective breed in Britain This year’s calving: 100% unassisted births 100% live/healthy calves 100% good mothers 0 meds/drugs 0 bought feed 0 housed 0 losses It’s been like this pretty much every year - they are awesome cattle

They are so sensible I don’t even stress about a calving You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to cattle that need a lot of help and assistance Life is way too short for all that hassle and cost

And those cows lived on a fell side all winter eating poor quality forage At super low cost - native breeds are awesome, I just wish I’d started with them when I was young - hassle is cost Ease is profit

An old friend of mine questioned recently whether Belties were just fashionable, whether they were really the best option for every farm He’s right, but they are the right phenotype/size for lots of marginal upland land, and other the breed options are a bit limited

Most native breeds are pretty good. Why do people still keep these huge continentals? Because they get more for them when they sell them. Native cattle are very undervalued.

Bumped into a group of these up on the Cleveland Way, near Bilsdale. Very curious and very gentle, even when a curious calf came close. Mum kept an eye on me, but otherwise very chilled out. Lovely animals.

Wow, a mix of red, white, and black. Didn't know that was possible.

@dakppc I saw these for the first time last week in Northumberland.

That is why the "industry" hates you. No money for them.

They sure do have pretty sturdy little calves, and look like they are built to handle just about anything.

CUTE! You forgot cute!!! 😍