# Cost of raising cattle in Hawaii

> Raising a cow-calf pair in Hawaii costs roughly $1,420 per head annually, driven by high imported feed prices, elevated labor rates, and lease pressure on limited pasture across the islands.

**Headline:** $1,420 per head/year

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Feed and hay (imported) | $520 |
| Pasture and lease | $310 |
| Labor | $340 |
| Veterinary and health | $115 |
| Miscellaneous (fuel, repairs, minerals) | $135 |

## Detail

Hawaii's cow-calf sector operates under conditions unlike any other US state. According to USDA NASS, the state held approximately 66,000 beef cows as of January 2024, concentrated almost entirely on Hawaii Island where volcanic pasture and the Kohala and Mauna Kea slopes support extensive grazing. Parker Ranch and other legacy operations typically run Angus and Hereford genetics, frequently crossed with Brahman for heat tolerance in the tropical and subtropical climate zones that dominate the islands.

Total annual cash cost per cow-calf pair runs near $1,420 according to University of Hawaii CTAHR cow-calf budgets, with imported hay and supplemental feed accounting for roughly $520 of that figure. Because Hawaii imports most of its hay via ocean freight from the Pacific Northwest, delivered feed prices sit well above mainland benchmarks, and drought years force additional purchases when island forage thins. Pasture lease rates average around $310 per head annually on the larger ranches where state and private leases set the market.

Labor costs near $340 per head reflect Hawaii's elevated wage floor relative to western mainland states, while veterinary and mineral supplementation together add roughly $115 per head given the need for tick control and trace mineral correction on volcanic soils. Miscellaneous costs covering fuel, fence repair, and equipment come in near $135. Most Hawaii calves are shipped live to mainland feedlots in the Pacific Northwest or California for finishing, as noted in USDA ERS sector reporting, because the islands lack the grain base to support economical finishing operations at scale.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Why is feed so expensive for Hawaii cattle operations?

Hawaii imports the majority of its hay and supplemental feed by ocean freight from the mainland, adding shipping costs that roughly double delivered feed prices compared to western states.

### How many cattle are typically raised in Hawaii?

Hawaii's beef cow inventory is approximately 66,000 head as of January 2024, concentrated on Hawaii Island (the Big Island), with Parker Ranch historically among the largest operations.

### What breeds are most common on Hawaii ranches?

Angus and Hereford dominate, often crossed with Brahman or Charolais for heat tolerance in the tropical climate, with most calves shipped to mainland feedlots for finishing.

## Sources

1. USDA NASS Hawaii Cattle Inventory (2024) — https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Hawaii/Publications/Livestock/2024/LvAll01-31-2024.pdf
2. University of Hawaii CTAHR Cow-Calf Cost of Production (2022) — https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/LM-34.pdf
3. USDA ERS Cattle and Beef Sector at a Glance (2024) — https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/cattle-beef/sector-at-a-glance/

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Source: Vellum — https://vellum.app/cost-of-raising-cattle/hawaii