The Society

Happily, there are now a core of both cattle and breeders in the UK who are committed to restoring the Riggits. The widely dispersed breeders founded the Riggit Galloway Cattle Society in February 2007, with the intention of consolidating the breed’s future.

Furthermore, there are some overseas Galloway Breeding groups who, fortuitously, have allowed the registration of several Riggits cattle among their herd books. One bull has already been sourced from Germany, to bring in fresh blood back into the UK.

It is to be hoped that with the various routes of obtaining fresh blood, and a lateral mindset within the breeding group, the Riggits can avoid the genetic cul-de-sac prevalent in some minority breeds.
 
 Luckily, the Riggit displays a very good beef confirmation and hardy constitution. Coupled to their striking appearance, this is steadily attracting new breeders, especially from those with an interest in the extensive rearing of native cattle on un-improved pastures (the Riggit Galloway is well suited to this role). As the implications of tightening global cereal supplies become apparent, there is likely going to be a re-appraisal of cattle feed methods, favouring such systems.

It is hoped that more breeders and landscape managers will come forward to further this ancient and beautiful type of cattle.