Source- The Guardian
In a move that epitomizes billionaire extravagance, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has delved into cattle ranching on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where he owns a staggering $170 million worth of land. Mark Zuckerberg, known for his tech empire, is taking his new venture to the epitome of opulence with plans for a $100 million prepper-style compound on the island.
More Details Revealed
The tech mogul unveiled more details about his ambitious project in a Facebook post on Tuesday, revealing his intention to raise a herd of cattle on a diet that can only be described as incredibly luxurious and, of course, exorbitantly expensive.
Mark Zuckerberg articulated his goal to produce some of the highest quality beef globally, announcing that the cattle would be a mix of Wagyu and Angus breeds. However, the real extravagance lies in their diet, which includes macadamia meal and beer produced on the ranch itself. Wagyu, referring to several Japanese cattle breeds known for their pricey and delectable beef, can command prices as high as $30,000 per live cow.
Macadamia meal, derived from one of the world’s most expensive nuts, is a surprising addition to the cattle’s diet. The founder acknowledged the magnitude of the endeavor, admitting that feeding thousand-pound animals a diet of ground-up nuts would require a substantial amount of macadamia trees. However, he seemingly brushed aside the logistical challenges, stating that his cattle would consume 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of food annually.
Sustainability Concerns
The math behind this plan raises eyebrows, as one mature macadamia tree produces approximately 65 pounds of nuts per year, requiring around 4,800 gallons of water. If fed exclusively macadamia nuts, a single Mark Zuckerberg cow could potentially consume the output of 154 trees, translating to a staggering 740,000 gallons per year. Sustainability concerns are apparent, especially on an island known for its abundant rainfall.
Mark Zuckerberg’s foray into cattle ranching faced early controversies, including a 6-foot high wall surrounding his property and quiet title lawsuits to acquire land from Hawaiian families. Despite these setbacks, he expressed a desire for the cattle project to be “local and vertically integrated” in his recent Facebook post, which featured a photo of himself posing with two substantial cuts of beef.
The entire venture seems to answer the perennial question faced by billionaires: How can one spend vast fortunes without entirely channeling it into noble causes? In Mark Zuckerberg’s case, the answer appears to be beef, and not just any beef but a venture that combines the extravagance of high-end cattle breeds and a diet sourced from the most premium ingredients.
