SUSTAINABILITY
Parker Ranch wins national Beef Quality Assurance Award for its stewardship principles
The 2025 National Beef Quality Assurance Cow-Calf Award was awarded to Parker Ranch by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Waimea, Hawaiʻi – March 24, 2025 – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has announced Parker Ranch as the winner of the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Cow-Calf Award. Each year, the BQA awards recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators who best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities of their respective operations.
The Parker Ranch, Inc. team, receiving the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Cow-Calf Award.
The Cow-Calf Award is one of five national awards presented by the BQA, a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that provides U.S. beef producers guidelines and certification on how to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions.
Parker Ranch acknowledges the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council, Mele Oshiro and the University of Hawaiʻi Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Dr. Lisa Wood of Veterinary Associates, and the Hawaiʻi cattle industry as a whole for their support of the BQA program.
“Most importantly, we must recognize the crucial role of Paka Paniolo, the cowboys of Parker Ranch, as well as the administrators, truck drivers, maintenance team, stock tenders, and all those who play a role in bringing Hawaiʻi’s cattle to market,” says Jacob Tavares, Livestock Business Operations Manager of Parker Ranch, Inc. “Without their steadfast commitment to the cattle business and the BQA program, we would never have received such a prestigious recognition.”
Parker Ranch is one of the oldest and most respected cattle ranches in the United States, spanning approximately 135,000 acres of diverse landscapes on Hawai‘i Island. Established in 1847, it remains a pillar of the local economy and culture, blending traditional ranching practices with modern business operations to ensure long-term sustainability. Parker Ranch’s relationship with the land is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values and culture, giving them a long history of embracing the BQA stewardship and husbandry principles.
Keeping with longstanding tradition, Parker Ranch ensures its animals receive the best care and nourishment. The natural, stress-free environment provided by the ranch’s pasture-based operations ensures the well-being of the cattle, resulting in consistently high-quality beef. The 2025 BQA Cow-Calf Award recognizes Parker Ranch’s dedication to providing a world-class eating experience for consumers through ethical practices and a focus on excellence in every aspect of its operations.
About Parker Ranch
Parker Ranch is one of the largest and oldest cattle ranches in the United States. Parker Ranch, Inc. is owned by Parker Ranch Foundation Trust whose beneficiaries are four non-profits: Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, Parker School and Hawai‘i Community Foundation. To learn more, please visit www.parkerranch.com or www.prft.org.