Three Gates Cattle

Three Gates Cattle Company specializes in breeding purebred Belted Galloways – one of the oldest and purest cattle breeds in existence. Commonly known as “Belties,” they originated in Southwest Scotland’s famous Galloway region, hence the name.

Raised on the lush pastures of Seaside Farm Proper and Kiawah River, and following the meticulous regimen of Three Gates Cattle Company, the breed produces some of the highest quality beef in the industry.

Our History

Our ancestors started raising cattle dating back to the 1950s at Seaside Farm Proper. Today, the Darby Family continues in this tradition with their Three Gates Cattle herd.  In 2019, 3GC partnered with Kiawah River, and expanded our footprint while maintaining our humanely and ethically raised top quality beef, thus expanding our herd of Belties to these peaceful, shaded, sea island acres. Three Gates Cattle Company specializes in Belted Galloway “Belties”, sometimes referred to as the “Oreo Cookie” cows.

Raised on the lush pastures of Seaside Farm Proper and Kiawah River, and following the meticulous regimen of Three Gates Cattle Company, our Belties produce some of the highest quality beef in the industry.

Our Belties

The Belted Galloway is thought to have evolved in the seventeenth century; a result of cross-breeding between the native black Galloway cattle of western Scotland and the Dutch Lakenvelde belted cattle. The stocky, medium sized cow, is one of the most visually distinctive breeds of cattle because of the white “belt” wrapping around its belly, no horns, and the thick shaggy coat grown in the winter months.

Belties have long been favored for their rugged resilience. They are well-equipped to thrive outdoors all year round and in any climate. Their double coat, made up of long outer hairs and a softer undercoat, provides protection in harsh environments. Because of this thick coat they don’t grow a thick layer of fat under their skin to keep them warm which makes the beef leaner.

Our growing cattle herd are registered with the Certified South Carolina (CSA’s) & Belted Galloway Society. Fully raised on a grass-based diet and grain finished prior to processing, our Belties graze the Seaside Farm Proper and Kiawah River pastures throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn months. These pastures are rich in biodiversity and the quality is reflected in the unmatched taste of our resulting product.