Wagyu, raised one by one like a part of the family
There's a common misperception that Wagyu is produced in the same way that foie gras is: the cows' movement is restricted and they're force-fed to produce fatty, tender meat. This couldn't be further from the truth: The number one principle is reducing the animal's stress to zero. Farmers aim to ensure that these animals are stress-free from birth until harvest. Cortisol is produced by stress, which degrades meat quality.
Of course, from the birth to the shipment, Our wagyu also are given individual names and nurtured like a part of the family. The fine taste of Wagyu comes from the tender, loving care that goes into their breeding.
How Wagyu are raised
Japanese cattle producers go to considerable lengths to provide their animals with a zen-like lifestyle. They keep the noise level low so that the animals are not startled. Farmers replenish water on a regular basis, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh, clean water to drink. Cows that don't get along are separated because what could be more stressful than grazing next to your adversary? Moreover, unlike some American farms where cows are allowed to wander freely on open meadows, Wagyu cattle are raised in open-air farms where they can be closely monitored.
Wagyu calves stay at a farm up to 7 to 10 months after the birth. And they will be sent to the calf auction market, after which they are fattened until approx. 700kg (1543.24lb) before the shipment. Separated soon after the birth, calves are fed with milk replacers one-by-one by hand. Another example of the tender care they receive is how some farms provide their calves with handmade calf jackets when the weather gets colder. On the fattening farm, Wagyu are raised in beef cattle barns instead of in large-scale feedlots and are given individual names.
Wagyu in the States
[Crowd Cow] collaborates with farmers to conduct four-hour animal checks. In the United States, if you had a thousand-acre ranch in Montana, you might not see your cattle for seven days. They're feasting on the native Montana grasses, but you have no idea what else they're up to. In other words, a free-roaming cow may be susceptible to stressful, cortisol-raising situations.
Rice straws make delicious Wagyu
In addition to roughage such as grass and rice straws and concentrate, the cattle are fed by whole crop silage, which is essential for developing the marbling and white color of fat.
Grazing for the birth of healthy calves
Breeding cattle and pregnant cattle are put to grazing so that they can deliver healthy calves.