Wagyu for less: South Cotabato farmer offers premium beef alternative

A South Cotabato farmer is exploring cattle crossbreeding to offer an alternative to premium Japanese Wagyu.

Arnel Corpuz, owner of Great Arch Farm in Polomolok, crosses Wagyu with Brahman cattle for up to P3,000 per kilo, while Japanese A5 Wagyu ribeye is listed at P7,295 per kilo.

Wagyu is known for its marbling, or fine streaks of fat within the meat, which help make it more tender, juicy, and rich in flavor than many regular beef cuts.

Brahman cattle, meanwhile, are known for being leaner, with less marbling.

By crossing the two breeds, Corpuz aims to combine Wagyu's meat qualities with Brahman's heat tolerance, which can help the cattle adapt to the Philippine climate.

Although it costs less, its quality may vary, and its price may still be too high for many Filipino families.

Moreover, the initiative allows Filipino farmers to explore new ways to produce high-quality beef suited to a tropical climate.

With proper breeding, feeding, and care, this could open new opportunities for Filipino farmers and the country's livestock industry while giving restaurants another source of premium beef. (Arianne Mariz De Guia)