Makoa Ranch is a cattle ranching company who specializes in shipping calves to the mainland. With the assistance of this grant, they have also added a grass baling component to their operation. Hay bales produced with this equipment will enable Makoa Ranch to supply a feed source for foraging animals that can be stored and used during drought times or any spikes in mainland feed costs. The baler makes it possible for Makoa Ranch to utilize grass lands for feed that don’t have fencing for cattle.
New hay baler – making guinea grass hay bales
Initial runs with the baler are showing that an average of 2,271 pounds of feed per acre (that is 4+ bales weighing 500-600lbs per acre) can be harvested from lands that would otherwise not be in production of any kind.
Adjusting the baling twine and tension to get the hay bales perfect
Loading the new bales of guinea grass hay
Bales loaded and ready to go to market
Overall this project helps the cattle industry become more sustainable and is helping Makoa Ranch toward the goal of finishing cattle locally to be marketed as Island Beef.
Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development, Inc.
3083 Akahi Street, Suite 204, Lihu‘e, HI 96766
Phone: 808.246.0091 :: Fax: 808.246.1719 contact us by email
