Is it true that the Japanese used to massage their steer by hand and feed them beer to procduce Kobe beef or is it a legend?

From
http://www.kobe-beef.com/qanda.html

Is it true that Kobe beef in Japan are fed on beer and massaged to make them tender?

Well, both things take place, but not for the reasons we've been led to believe. Beer is fed to the cattle during summer months when the interaction of fat cover, temperature and humidity depresses feed intake. Beer seems to stimulate their appetite. It's merely part of the overall management program designed to keep the cattle on feed in the heat of the summer. The massaging is done to relieve stress and muscle stiffness. It's believed that the eating quality of the meat is affected positively by keeping the cattle calm and content.

Dont they have the same in Australia? Crazy world!!

This, I find hard to believe.
Farmers have better things to do than massage cows.

quote:

This, I find hard to believe.
Farmers have better things to do than massage cows.

But it is true, nonetheless, probably only in the case of these select few cattle. Certainly no other commercial ranch has taken up this intensive a method of improving the quality of beef,though I can easily imagine a few "gentlemen farmers" around the world attempting to duplicate the Kobe program.

quote:

Originally posted by dumbpier:
This, I find hard to believe.
Farmers have better things to do than massage cows.

Believe me farmers will do anything, however daft it sounds, if the product then sells at such an extraordinary price

Yumm!