Beef with local connection matures on Oregon ranch

By Joan Namkoong

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 16, 2012

~~<p>It doesn't seem to make sense to ship a beef calf to the mainland, then bring the meat back to Hawaii. But right now, that's the sensible thing for isle ranchers to do.</p>
<p>A program started six months ago by the Hawaii Cattle Producers Coop involves calves that Hawaii ranchers send to Country Natural Beef in Oregon. Hawaii-born cattle are kept in designated pastures where they graze on grass. For their last three months they are finished on a vegetarian diet of alfalfa, corn, hay and potatoes.</p>
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It doesn't seem to make sense to ship a beef calf to the mainland, then bring the meat back to Hawaii. But right now, that's the sensible thing for isle ranchers to do.

A program started six months ago by the Hawaii Cattle Producers Coop involves calves that Hawaii ranchers send to Country Natural Beef in Oregon. Hawaii-born cattle are kept in designated pastures where they graze on grass. For their last three months they are finished on a vegetarian diet of alfalfa, corn, hay and potatoes. Login for more...