Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Expands Hawaiian Property With Ambitious Cattle Farming Venture
In recent developments, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has drawn attention to his extensive property on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where he is constructing a 1,400-acre compound known as Ko'olau Ranch. This compound, costing over $270 million, includes a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter with a "blast-resistant door" and "escape hatch," along with provisions for independent energy and food supplies.
Beyond being a refuge, Zuckerberg revealed his latest venture on Instagram — cattle farming. He expressed his goal of producing some of the highest-quality beef globally at Ko'olau Ranch. The cattle, a mix of wagyu and angus breeds, are raised on a diet that includes macadamia meal and beer produced on the ranch.
Zuckerberg emphasized the local and vertically integrated nature of the entire process, involving his family in the operations. In his own words, "Each cow eats 5,000-10,000 pounds of food each year, so that's a lot of acres of macadamia trees. My daughters help plant the mac trees and take care of our different animals."
Given the current challenges in the U.S. beef industry, Zuckerberg's move into cattle farming appears strategic. The country's cattle herd has significantly reduced due to severe drought, resulting in increased beef prices domestically. The latest Consumer Price Index report indicates an 8.7% year-over-year increase in the price of beef and veal in the U.S. as of December 2023.
Highlighting the importance of cattle production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture deems it "the most important agricultural industry in the United States." Zuckerberg's agricultural pursuits align with a trend among tech billionaires, with Microsoft founder Bill Gates being a notable example, owning nearly 270,000 acres of farmland across the country.
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