Zuckerberg says he is raising beer-fed cattle at Hawaii ranch
The Meta CEO said his Kauai ranch project uses wagyu and angus cattle, macadamia nuts and beer in an effort to produce top-grade beef.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Mark Zuckerberg says he is raising wagyu and angus cattle at his Hawaii ranch and feeding them roasted macadamia nuts and beer in an effort to produce top-grade beef. The project offers a rare look at how the Meta CEO is using his Kauai estate, a property that has drawn scrutiny over its size, secrecy and location.
Zuckerberg described the cattle project on the “Idea Generation” podcast, saying he is trying to create “the highest-quality beef in the world.” He said the effort is personal rather than commercial, and that he has become focused on cattle genetics.
The ranching work began around 2024, according to Fortune. Zuckerberg has said the herd includes wagyu and angus cattle, two breeds associated with premium beef.
A ranch built around a controlled diet
Part of the Kauai property is used to grow macadamia trees for the animals’ feed, Fortune reported. Zuckerberg said the nuts are roasted before being given to the cattle, and that he also gives the animals beer he brews himself to stimulate their appetite.
He said the cattle can choose between room-temperature water and cold beer. In 2024, Zuckerberg said each cow consumes between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds of food a year, according to Fortune.
Zuckerberg has tied the ranch work to a broader interest in producing his own food. Rolling Stone previously reported that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said Zuckerberg once served him a goat that Zuckerberg had killed himself, as part of a yearlong challenge to eat only animals he had personally killed.
Kauai estate has drawn attention
Zuckerberg began buying land on Kauai in 2014, according to The Hill. The property is known as Ko’olau Ranch and is valued at about $300 million, Fortune reported.
Wired reported last year that the compound has attracted controversy because it sits on a native burial site. The outlet also reported that the property includes two mansions, a gym, a tennis court, guest houses and a tunnel connected to an underground shelter roughly the size of a basketball court.
Other technology billionaires have bought large properties in Hawaii, including Salesforce cofounder Marc Benioff and Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, Fortune reported. Peter Thiel also has been linked to large property purchases in the islands, according to Fortune.
Hobby as a counterweight to work
On the podcast, Zuckerberg framed the cattle project as part of his attempt to keep a range of interests outside his main job. He said working too intensely on one thing can exhaust both the work and the people involved.
Zuckerberg said his older daughters have helped him plant trees and care for animals at the ranch. He also said collaborative side projects help him recharge and bring in different perspectives.
The Meta CEO has pursued other demanding hobbies, including windsurfing and bow hunting, Fortune reported. The cattle venture adds ranching to a list of high-effort side projects by a technology founder better known for building one of the world’s largest social media companies.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.