Livestock & Dairy
Hawai'i Island’s livestock and dairy sector includes cattle ranching, poultry, and small-scale dairy farming. The island’s large pasturelands make it well-suited for cattle grazing, with beef production accounting for a significant portion of agricultural output. According to the 2022 USDA NASS Agricultural Census, the cattle inventory remains stable, with hundreds of ranching operations contributing to the local and export beef market. Poultry and pork production are more limited in scale but provide important local protein sources. Dairy farming has declined over the years, with only a few remaining operations focused on specialty products such as goat cheese and raw milk.
The livestock value chain begins with breeding and rearing, where most cattle are raised on pasture-based systems. Some ranchers finish their cattle locally for direct-to-consumer beef sales, while others participate in the wean-off system, shipping young calves to mainland feedlots for finishing. Processing facilities on the island are limited, leading to bottlenecks in slaughter and meat distribution. Poultry and pork producers typically rely on small-scale processing or on-farm operations to bring products to market. Dairy products, although niche, are distributed through direct sales and specialty retailers.
Challenges in the livestock and dairy sector include high feed costs, which are exacerbated by Hawaii’s dependence on imported grain. Limited local processing capacity creates additional logistical challenges for meat producers. For dairy farmers, regulatory barriers and competition from imported dairy products make it difficult to sustain profitable operations. Disease management, fencing and grazing land access, and climate-related challenges also impact production efficiency.
Individual Livestock & Dairy Commodities
Cattle
Cattle ranching is a cornerstone of Hawaiʻi Island’s agricultural economy and heritage. The island (Hawaiʻi County) is home to the majority of the state’s cattle herd, with roughly 100,000 cattle and calves inventoried in 2022. Production is predominantly cow-calf and stocker operations on extensive pasture ranges, including one of the United States’ largest ranches (Parker Ranch).
Geese
Geese are among the least common livestock on Hawaiʻi Island, kept by only a small number of farms primarily for land management, ornamental, or specialty meat purposes. There are no commercial goose farms on the island; instead, geese are usually integrated into smallholdings as multi-purpose animals.
Alpacas
Alpaca farming on Hawaii Island is a niche yet steadily growing segment of the livestock sector. Producers primarily raise alpacas for their soft, lanolin-free fiber (fleece) and for breeding stock, rather than for meat. These gentle animals often fit into diversified farming systems or agritourism ventures, as they coexist well with other livestock and have a relatively low environmental impact.
Sheep
Sheep farming on Hawaiʻi Island has deep historical roots and a contemporary presence in both wool and meat production. The island’s sheep and lamb inventory was about 8,646 head in 2022, making up roughly 40% of the state’s sheep. While not as prominent as cattle, sheep are raised on several ranches and homesteads, contributing to local lamb supply and land management (weed control).
Chickens
Chicken production for meat on Hawaiʻi Island is limited in scale, consisting mostly of small, pasture-based farms and backyard flocks. The island does not have industrial broiler operations; instead, local producers raise chickens on a modest scale to supply fresh meat to farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) boxes, and restaurants.
Hogs
Hawaiʻi Island’s hog farming is a small but culturally significant sector, characterized by family-run piggeries and backyard pig pens rather than large-scale commercial operations. Local pork production supplies only a minor share of the island’s total pork consumption, yet fresh island pork is valued for traditional dishes and community celebrations.
Milk
The dairy sector on Hawaiʻi Island has experienced a dramatic contraction, moving from a once-thriving industry to near-extinction and now to the cusp of potential revival. Historically, the Hawaiʻi Island was a major milk producer in the state, but today only one commercial dairy farm remains in all of Hawaiʻi – and it is located on Hawaiʻi Island’s north end.
Ducks
Duck raising on Hawaiʻi Island is a minor component of the livestock sector, practiced primarily on small farms and homesteads. Ducks are kept for both meat and egg production in niche markets. While there are no large commercial duck operations on the island, some farmers include ducks as part of diversified farming systems – for pest control, specialty egg sales, or local consumption.
Eggs
A mix of small commercial layer farms and numerous backyard flocks produce fresh eggs for local consumption. While the Hawaiʻi Island’s egg output is relatively low (the island had about 10,218 laying hens in 2022), there is growing consumer demand for island eggs due to their freshness and to reduce reliance on imports.