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Meat Sommelier. Wagyu Meister
Japan
Chubu
Nagano
Shinshu Beef Raised on Apples
Country:
Region:
Prefecture:
Location:
Japanese Black
Fullblood
Breed purity:
Breed:
Grade 4 or higher
Requirement:

Source of information & credits:
How can we raise "Shinshu Beef" to offer delicious meat that we can proudly share with the entire country?
In the early 1960s, livestock farmers in the Okushinano region continued to tackle this challenge. They focused on a locally handed-down feeding tip: "If you feed cows apples, it stimulates their appetite and makes them less prone to illness."
Typically, raising cattle involves restricting their movement while providing highly nutritious feed. However, this lack of exercise often leads to loss of appetite and sickness, a constant concern for livestock farmers. Surprisingly, it was discovered that the unique acidity of apples helped stimulate the cows' appetite, showing remarkable effectiveness in restoring their hunger. Moreover, the cows remained healthier and were less likely to get sick.
The members of the research group developed a feed mixture, tailored to each stage of fattening, which included locally grown apples. They combined this with other ingredients such as grains, rice bran, boiled juice from miso beans, tofu dregs, and sake lees. All of these were by-products of local agricultural processing, rich in proteins and vitamins. Not only did this feed contribute to environmental conservation, but it also helped produce high-quality, marbled beef.
Thus, "Shinshu Beef Raised on Apples" was born. This brand, painstakingly nurtured, continues to be raised with the same methods by local producers today.

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