UTM’s own Lina’s Freedom 315N took the title of National Champion Belted Galloway Female at the 2005 North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., where she was selected from approximately 70 other female cattle in the show.

Lina’s Freedom, a 9-11-03 daughter of Driftwood Kingsize, was born and raised at UTM as part of a four-year breeding program with Belted Galloway cattle undertaken by the UTM Farm.

According to the Belted Galloway Society’s website, Belted Galloways, or “belties” as they are commonly known among breeders, were developed during the 16th Century in the former Galloway District of Scotland.

“We established the program four years ago, selecting and breeding stock and we are very pleased with how it turned out. Each year there’s only one winner,” said Dr. Jerry Gresham, chair of the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

“This particular heffer was well prepared for the national show,” added Gresham.

UTM students are responsible for the care of cattle like Lina’s Freedom.

“The students are the one who train the animals for show, feed them and take care of them on a daily basis. The students made sure (Lina’s Freedom) was washed, clipped and combed before the show,” said Gresham.

This event is one of the biggest for UTM’s cattle.

“We also have some cattle who participate in local shows as well as the Georgia and North Carolina state fairs,” said Gresham.

The cattle for the program were donated to the university by Driftwood Plantation in Awendaw, S.C.

“We established the program 4 years ago, selecting and breeding stock and we are very pleased with how it turned out. Each year there’s only one winner.”

“We hope that she enters our breeding herd and produces some prize winning cattle over the next few years.”

“The students are the one who train the animals for show, feed them and take care of them on a daily basis. The students made sure (Lina’s Freedom) was washed, clipped and combed before the show.”

“We also have some cattle who participate in local shows as well as the Georgia and North Carolina state fairs.”