Drought, high beef prices on the mainland make it difficult for Hawaiian beef producers to keep cattle in the islands
9/30/2014 1:05:19 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
AFFECTED AREAS:
Hawaii
Start Date: 9/28/2014
-
Drought and high beef prices on the mainland make it difficult for Hawaiian beef producers to keep cattle in the islands. Ranchers can sell beef on the mainland for $2.25 per pound, according to a report by West Hawaii Today. The same beef brings only $1.50 to $1.65 per pound in Hawaii. Sixty to 70 percent of beef ends up being shipped out of state, although lower-priced, grass-fed beef is imported from New Zealand and Australia. Conventional feed-lot beef is also imported from the mainland. Two other challenges Hawaiian ranchers face are high water costs and development pressures.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser (Hawaii), Sept. 28, 2014
Sources
