Grass-Fed
~ Pasture Raised
A and S Farms
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A and S Farms(Albert and Stella) Albert Akana, owner Spencer Akana, manager Albert and Stella, founders Rainfall: 25" average, 40" in a good wet year Elevation: 2800' Location (s): Mana Road, Puu Kapu Ranch Lots Acres: 300 Breed (s): Maine Anjou, crossed with Hereford, crossed with Charolais Other Breeds: None at this time. Operation type: Grass-fat finisher, Cow/Calf Founded in 1964 by Albert and Stella Akana, A and S Farms in Waimea features a bull named Junior who is so calm he will eat right out of your hand. A and S began as a hog operation. At it's peak, the farm had over 5000 hogs and was a full blown commercial operation. They used the services of Kulana Foods in Hilo and marketed 20 head per week between the Big Island of Hawaii and the neighbor island of Oahu. A and S Farms took "Best Hog" honors several times at the Hawaii State Farm Fair! The collapse of the grain market made feed too expensive to continue with the hog operation so A and S looked for alternatives. When the Humuula Sheep Station was closing down A and S Farms purchased the last load of 600 sheep and found themselves in the sheep business. They ran for a while with the 5000 hogs (and some cattle) on the farm! A and S farms used to serve as the operation center for a co-op type of arrangement. Operating out on Mana Road, they would help producers from the area coordinate and schedule shipments of cattle to the feedlot on Oahu. This lasted until the import of boxed beef to Oahu once again forced a change in the business plan. Backing up a bit, the cattle operation for A and S farms began when a family friend from Missouri needed a temporary home for some cattle that had been brought to Hawaii. Eventually the opportunity arose for the cattle to be purchased and the Maine-Anjou breed became the dominant line at the farm. The Maine-Anjou breed has a large frame size. As a result, the breed has been crossed with various other breeds for performance. Crosses with Angus and Hereford cattle have been beneficial to the herd. The Ranchers Perspective: "There are all kinds of places to support us. Raise grass, partner with someone looking for direction. Everyone doesn't need to be a rancher or producer. Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. More and more people are taking an interest in diversified agriculture and recognizing how it fits into the states economy."-Spencer Akana |
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