Koch building herd of Japanese cattle in Kansas

EUREKA, Kan. — Koch Industries is testing a theory that about 40 cattle roaming the Flint Hills in southeast Kansas could remake the domestic cattle industry.

Koch Agriculture's Matador Cattle Co. is building a herd of Akaushi (Ah-KOO'-shee) cattle on the Spring Creek Ranch in Greenwood County. The cattle are the source of the sought-after Kobe beef. Koch also has herds in Texas and Montana.

Koch has begun an aggressive program to breed both full-blood cattle and mixing Akaushi bulls with its own herd.

The company says the Akaushi genes would produce superior offspring with a higher percentage of top-grade beef.

Akaushi cattle have more marbling than most domestic herds. That means more fat within the protein, which gives the meat a richer taste and feel.

Tags: livestock, agribusiness, kansas, beef, agriculture