July 7, 2005

Hawaii's cattle industry thriving despite mad cow scare

Hawaii's ranchers have reported a 28 percent jump in income last year to 23 million dollars, the highest level since 1994.

The Hawaiian state's cattle industry appears to be thriving despite the discovery of the United States' first case of mad cow disease in December 2003.

Tim Richards, the general manager for Kahua Ranch in Kohala says Hawaii's isolation from the mainland and Canada may have helped the local cattle industry even as concerns spread over diseased meat.

Higher prices since the US banned cattle imports from Canada also helped. However, North Shore Cattle Company owner Calvin Lum says the latest case of mad cow could wreak more damage on the industry.