Made-in-Vietnam Kobe beef to be sold in June The first Vietnamese-raised Kobe-style beef will be sold in June in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong with prices ranging between VND3.5 million  (US$165) to over VND5 million (US$234) per kilogram. The only farm in Vietnam raising Kobe beef – a world-famous cow variety originating from Japan with strict rearing stipulations such as drinking beer, listening to music and receiving massages – is located in Tan Lac commune, Bao Lam district. Director of the Vietnam Kobe beef corporation that owns the farm Nguyen Tri Duc Vu told “Nguoi Lao Dong” newspaper that his company was set up in 2009 as part of a cooperation programme between Vietnam and Japan . The company imported Kobe sperm from the US and bred them with the local dairy cows for the first generation. In 2011, it imported 120 dairy cows for breeding, including 100 from Australia and Thailand . The farm currently has nearly 100 F1-generation Kobe cows ranging from 12 to 26 months old. Kobe cows are adapted to cool weather, therefore often facing complications from the exposure to high temperatures in Vietnam , especially those under four months old. As such, a special health care and strict raising process is required. In addition to daily food, the cows will be supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals. The cows are fed a regimen of broken rice grains, bagasse and soybeans residue. A new-born Kobe cow weighs around 30-40 kilograms. After birth, the cow is weighed and receives a health check. Each calf has an identity card with its birthday, origin and traits. Kobe cows must be raised for nearly 32 months to reach their full weight of around 800-1,000 kilograms. Every morning before feeding the cows, farmers will turn on classical music to relax the cows and increase their appetite. Vu said the first made-in-Vietnam Kobe beef will be sold in Lam Dong next June and in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the future. The meat for sale is limited, he said, adding that only about 5-10 will be slaughtered a month. Each could provide 300-400 kilograms of meat. Vu revealed that his company is pouring VND40 billion (US$1.87 million) to expand the farm. It is expected to raise 900 cows in the coming years. In 2015, the company plans to rear the first generation of Kobe cows in the first four months and entrust them to farmers who will look after the cattle until they reach 26 months of age. The company will then take over from the farmers and fatten the cows before they are sold in the market. VNA