July 6, 2023

Thai delegation explores agricultural innovation on visit to prominent Japanese cattle farm

A delegation from Thailand recently embarked on a visit to a renowned cattle farm in Japan, aiming facilitate the exchange of ideas and gain insights into agricultural advancements, Pattaya Mail reported.

Led by Anucha Nakasai, Caretaker Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, the Thai delegation explored the operations of the Mizuho beef cattle farm in Hitachiomiya city, Ibaraki Prefecture, which is recognised as one of Japan's largest and most prominent farms.

The Mizuho farm, with its 14 branches comprising 12 dairy farms and two beef cattle farms, holds a strong presence throughout Japan. The collective population of cows in these farms reaches approximately 31,000, with 17,000 being dairy cows and 14,000 categorized as beef livestock.

The farm is particularly renowned for its exceptional breeds, housing the highest milk-producing dairy cows in the country. Among its notable achievements is the successful breeding and rearing of a Holstein-Wagyu crossbreed, resulting in a new breed known as F1. This particular breed has gained popularity for its meat, which possesses significant intramuscular fat at a lower cost compared to pure Wagyu, catering to the preferences of foreign consumers and tourists. But due to its higher fat content, it may be less favoured by local consumers.

Through the farm's diverse endeavours, such as the sale of meat, milk, and other cattle by-products, it generates an estimated annual revenue of approximately JPY 5 billion (~US$34.6 million; JPY 100 = US$0.69).

The Thai government has been actively supporting local community funds and various initiatives to strengthen grassroots economies and promote self-reliance. One notable example is the Family Cow project, which encourages cattle farming as a viable occupation to stimulate the agricultural sector.

-      Pattaya Mail