Tokachi Wakaushi

"Tokachi Wakaushi" refers to beef from mainly young male feeder cattle ⁽¹⁾, primarily Holsteins that were raised for dairy purposes, which are shipped at around 14 months of age, and no later than 16 months.
　Unlike the tenderness of Japanese Black (Wagyu) beef, which comes from intense marbling, "Tokachi Wakaushi" offers a fine-grained texture, natural tenderness, and juicy, flavorful lean meat. It is known for its healthy red meat and enjoys strong market demand, trading at higher prices than typical Holstein beef.

The cattle used for "Tokachi Wakaushi" are primarily male Holstein dairy cattle, with a small number of non-breeding females also included. In the production area of Shimizu Town (Hokkaido), the cattle are raised and shipped in accordance with the "Tokachi Wakaushi Fattening Management Table" established by JA Tokachi Shimizu.

Shimizu Town is located on the western edge of the Tokachi Plain ⁽²⁾, at the foot of the Hidaka Mountains ⁽³⁾, in Hokkaido. The town was developed by Tokachi Land Development Company, founded by Eiichi Shibusawa, who is often referred to as the "father of Japan's modern economy". Kinya Machimura, who later became a leading figure in introducing modern dairy farming to Hokkaido, became the company's first farm manager, promoting a large-scale, Western-style agricultural model. As of 2024, Shimizu Town has become one of Japan's leading dairy farming regions, and the area is also known for its active beef production that utilizes male calves as feeder cattle, a by-product of the dairy industry.
　Ordinary Holstein steers are usually shipped at around 19 to 20 months of age, but after 16 months, they tend to gain more fat, develop a more pungent odor, and lose moisture. "Tokachi Wakaushi", however, is shipped between 14 and 16 months of age, precisely when the meat reaches ideal body weight and quality, offering a lean yet flavorful profile. Producers in JA Tokachi Shimizu have developed a unique fattening method for "Tokachi Wakaushi" that draws on their extensive experience in beef production. From the moment calves are introduced to the farm, they implement careful stress reduction, infection control for optimal growth, and a feeding program that provides the best balance of roughage and standardized concentrated feed for each growth stage. These accumulated techniques ensure that every animal shipped under the "Tokachi Wakaushi" name meets the brand's high-quality standards.

1. Young beef cattle: Cattle that are fattened and shipped at a younger age than usual. Their meat is mainly lean with low fat content, offering a tender texture and light flavor.
2. Tokachi Plain: A tableland plain in eastern Hokkaido, known as the largest crop-producing area in the region.
3. The Hidaka Mountains: A rugged mountain range in south-central Hokkaido, designated as part of a national park and famous for its untouched natural landscapes unique to Hokkaido.