PUKALANI, Maui — Maui Cattle Co. is relaunching its all-natural island-grazed premium beef with a new label and a publicity campaign to encourage local consumption, The Maui News reported.

"Most Maui residents are still eating imported beef," said Maui Cattle Managing Director Alex Franco. "We want to draw attention to a better and local option. We produce much higher quality right here."

The paniolo who tend the local cattle will be on hand from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Pukalani Superette to talk story and provides samples of the beef they've raised.

Six Maui ranches with 60,000 acres have joined to produce a local product to a consistent standard that emphasizes the Angus breed, with no artificial ingredients, growth stimulants or antibiotics used.

The cattle graze Maui pastures and are finished at a feedlot in Waikapu where they fatten on cane tops and grain.

The beef is dry-aged, and Maui Cattle claims this regimen has tested to retain more vitamin A and E as well as omega-3 and linoleic fatty acids than conventionally produced Mainland beef.

"We all have to find ways to shorten the distance between the farm and the table," Franco said. "When it comes to beef, you want to know where it comes from, who took care of it. And we can trace our product right back to our animals."

"It keeps Maui's ag lands productive, preserves a legacy of agriculture and lessens our dependence on imports," said Jimmy Gomes of Ulupalakua Ranch, one of the six ranches in Maui Cattle Co.

In addition to the premium cuts, Maui Cattle also packages ground beef and nonpremium cuts that sell at competitive prices at grocery stores such as Pukalani Superette and Ah Fook's as well as at Longs Drugs stores on Maui.

Maui Cattle products carry the Maui Chamber of Commerce's Made in Maui label. For more information, visit www.MauiCattleCompany.com.

For more Maui news, visit www.mauinews.com.