See Baby Calves During a Horseback Ride in Upcountry Maui Until Sunday, May 15!

Try the New, Shorter Country Ride from 10am-12noon or 1:30-3:30pm, Offered Monday-Saturday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Makawao, Upcountry Maui, Hawaii (April 21, 2005) – There’s a lot happening right now at Piiholo Ranch, Upcountry Maui’s family-owned and operated working cattle ranch. The Baldwin family and staff are currently in the midst of calving season, an exciting time for the ranch and guests exploring on horseback. And, Piiholo Ranch has launched a new ride that gets people out on the range and back within two hours. It’s called the Country Ride, and it’s offered in the morning and afternoon everyday, Monday through Saturday. Morning check-in is 9:30am with the ride running from 10am to 12noon. Afternoon check-in is 1pm with the ride running from 1:30 to 3:30pm. The cost is $120 per person, which includes refreshments and snacks. This ride is offered in addition to their Morning Picnic Ride, Private Ride, and Private Lesson.

Ranch guests will especially enjoy meandering through the open range with herds of cattle and their young covering the area. “It’s the greatest time of the year for a rancher because we see healthy baby calves running all over the place,” says Peter Baldwin, owner of Piiholo Ranch. “It’s a feel good time.”

He continues, “The cows are bred to calve specifically during this period because it’s the best time for grazing, just passed the winter rains and the soil is full of moisture. The warmer days bring the best growing season of Kikuyu and Pangola grass along with clovers, the stems growing high and their content full of protein. We want our cows to give their calves the most milk, and they need high protein feed to accomplish this” (coming from an experienced dairyman, Peter is the former owner of Haleakala Dairy).

“One must know how to schedule the feed and protein, and so it’s very important in the first three months of the calving season that the cows have the best possible forage so they can maintain their bodyweight – which is a challenge when they are in milk.” Peter comments, “When this happens, the cow is putting her full energy and body system storage and reserves into milk production for the baby; the intention for all ranchers is to breed cows every year because that’s what ranching is all about. We can’t skip a year. If a cow has a calf, and her body weight and her reproductive system heals properly than she is ready to breed back the coming July – three months breed back. For this to happen she has to be in good health and this time of year can enable that.” 

For more ride information or reservations, call (808) 357-5544 or visit www.piiholo.com.

ABOUT PIIHOLO RANCH
Now you can live the legacy of the Baldwin family, who has ranched on Maui for six generations. Owned and operated by Peter Baldwin and his family, Piiholo Ranch horseback rides will share the family’s experience in cattle ranching and caring for the land for more than one hundred years.

Photo Caption: Calves pose for the camera at Piiholo Ranch in Upcountry Maui.

Photo Credit: Greg Hoxsie

Media Contact:
Ashley Stepanek
Fresh Media
Office: 808-661-8005
Cell: 808-280-7855
ashley-s@hawaii.rr.com