What it means to
face the cattle
“One by one, they’re completely different. When I was a kid, they all looked the same to me, but once you actually care for them, it’s almost surprising how much personality each one has.” Mr. Katata shared this with a warm, open smile. The cattle barn he has been familiar with since childhood is in Shimanto Town, where the Shimanto River, known as Japan’s last clear stream, flows and where many untouched mountains still remain. He is equally meticulous about the water and feed that are essential to the cattle’s growth, selecting them with his own eyes and providing them while considering nutritional balance and each stage of growth. That attention to every detail is nothing other than affection.
With sincere determination,
tirelessly striving toward the
goal of being “No.1”
Raised freely and comfortably while receiving, with complete devotion, the care of Mr. Katata and the natural environment nurtured by Kochi, the cattle earned Grand Prix honors in both the “Tosa Kuro-ushi” and “Tosa Aka-ushi” divisions at the Carcass Competition. “Above all, it’s about watching the cattle carefully and noticing what they’re telling you. If their sleeping area is dirty, stress builds up, and if the feed isn’t good, they stop eating. So I make sure not to overlook those small things. That’s about all I can do.” Mr. Katata told us. Even today, he continues his life alongside the cattle, facing them day by day.
