by Amanda Smith, Associate Editor
One of the nation's smallest dairy states is slated to more than double its annual milk output. Last year, Hawaii produced 28 million pounds of milk, a mere 9 percent of the Aloha state's annual usage, noted Pacific Business News. The balance is shipped in from the continental U.S.
It is predicted that the 1,800-cow expansion of Hawaii's dairy industry will add another 34 million pounds of milk to the state's dairy pipeline.
The current state of the industry: two dairies, 2,000 cows and 14,200 pounds per cow. When the dairy reaches full production, there will be: three dairies, 3,800 cows and 62 million pounds of milk flowing through the islands.
A $17.5 million investment from EBay founder Pierre Omidyar's Ulupono Initiative will make the grazing dairy a reality. Hawaii Dairy Farms will be located in the Mahaulepu area on the island of Kauai. The 583 acres of pastureland will be leased from Grove Farm.
While the investment won't transform Hawaii into a dairy powerhouse, it will have a significant impact within the islands. It is anticipated that local milk production from the 1,800 cows possessing New Zealand genetics will grow 11 percent to just touch 20 percent. On some islands, current store prices reach upwards of $10 for a gallon of milk.
Hawaii will retain its title as the state with the fewest herds and will continue to surpass both Rhode Island and Alaska in overall cow numbers.
