KUCHING: The first commercial cattle beef farm will be established in Serembu, Bau near here.
Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh said his state constituency’s service centre has secured RM15 million under the Greater Kuching Cordinated Development Area (GKCDA) fund to implement the project at Kampung Seromah, Bau.
He said works to develop the farm is expected to begin by the second quarter of next year.
He said they are working with a Japanese company that has an extensive experience in cattle rearing and beef production.
The Japanese company, he said, has agreed to invest in this industry business venture.
“The investor had already signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with our service centre two months ago.
“Our job is to prepare the infrastructure and facilities, including roads, barns and pasture or areas to plant the grasses.
“Then the investor will come with the cattle and manage the business,” he told Sarawak Tribune recently.
Miro, who is in the GKCDA steering committee, said they are going to bring in premium breeds, including Angus cattle and Wagyu Japanese cattle, to be raised at the farm.
Australian Angus cattle, known for their high quality beef, are a popular and sought-after breed while the Wagyu authentic beef is among the most sought-after and luxurious meats in the world.
Miro said the farm would start with 100 heads for breeding or reproductions.
He said for the breeding purpose, the company would get the Angus female or mother Angus cattle from Australia, and then bring the male Wagyu semen from Japan for the artificial insemination (AI).
He said they have to bring the semen because Japan cannot export live Wagyu cattle out of the country.
“Wagyu cannot be exported out from Japan because Wagyu is a sacred animal and a treasure for Japan. Japan can sell its semen only,” he said.
Miro said they have appointed a local consultant and together with this Japanese company, they will do the feasibility study that will take about two to three months to complete.
He said they will come up with the design of the barn and other facilities and by the second quarter of next year, they should be able to start with the construction.
He said the land for the farm is ready; adding that this project would involve the villagers in Kampung Seromah.
“We are targeting to start with construction of the barns and other essential facilities sometime in June next year.
“The first beef meat production will be around three years upon full operation, as a calve will be mature after three years.
“The farm will focus on breeding, slaughtering and meat production only,” he said.
Meanwhile, the fattening and breeding of cattle at Kampung Merembeh here is expected to start in May.
Miro said for this fattening and breeding project, the participants would be rearing the normal breed cattle, Brahman. Brahman is primarily imported from Australia.
“All the facilities, including barn, are ready but there are some modifications that we need to do to suit our needs.
“The first batch of 30 heads of cattle should be coming by May,” he said.
In the context of cattle farming here, fattening involves maximising weight gain through strategic feeding while breeding focuses on improving herd genetics and productivity (live animal and meat).
