Matthew Stevenson
Livestock and Pasture Management
Assistant County Extension Agent, Livestock and Range Programs
University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service
Kauaʻi Extension Office
3060 Eiwa St., Rm 210
Lihue, HI 96766
Email: stevenso@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 274-3472
Fax: (808) 274-3474
Areas of Interest
Livestock production and nutrition, pasture and rangeland ecology and management, plant identification, smallholder livestock production systems, slaughter and processing
Hawaiʻi is blessed with highly productive pastures and rangelands which have the potential to produce quality animals ready for market or home use. My extension programs focus on minimal input systems to optimize production efficiency and profitability while mitigating impacts on the environment. My goals are (1) to help identify and eliminate bottlenecks in commercial and smallholder livestock production and marketing, and (2) to transfer research-based information and technology useful and meaningful to stakeholders so they can meet their production goals. For my programs to be meaningful for your needs, I need your input. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions and concerns.
Current Projects
- Small-scale livestock demonstration projects to promote homestead/backyard
animal agriculture. - Forage demonstration garden on Kauaʻi to evaluate improved forages and forage mixes.
- Pasture and Range Extension Herbarium to improve plant identification for
grazing systems. - Investigating mobile slaughter and processing units for use in Hawaiʻi and the Marianas.
Newsletters
- Kauaʻi County Livestock News (Fall 2009)
- Kauaʻi County Livestock News (Spring 2009)
- Kauaʻi County Livestock News (Dec 08)
Selected Publications
Norman, A., M. Thorne, and M. Stevenson. 2007. Monitoring Heifer Development
and Diet Quality of Kikuyu/Pangola grass Using NIRS and NUTBAL PRO. M.
Thorne and L. Cox, editors. Proceedings of the 2007 Mealani Forage Field
Day, September 28-29, Kamuela, HI. CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Thorne, M. and M. Stevenson. 2007. Stocking Rate: The Most Important Tool in
the Toolbox. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at
Manoa, PRM-4.
Thorne, M., L. Cox, and M. Stevenson. 2007. Calculating Minimum Grazing
Lease Rates for Hawaii. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR, University of
Hawaii at Manoa, PRM-3.
Thorne, M., G. Fukumoto, and M. Stevenson. 2007. Foraging Behavior and
Grazing Management Planning. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR,
University of Hawaii at Manoa, PRM-2.
Websites
- Hawaii Rangelands: comprehensive website with an introduction to Hawaii rangelands, rangeland issues in Hawaii, Hawaii climate and weather, economics and marketing Hawaii range products, and range education
- CTAHR Beef Initiative Program
- Sustainable and Organic Program: Animal Production Links
- CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Programs & Topics
Resources
The Kauaʻi Livestock Library is a collection of hard copy publications available for use at the Kauaʻi Extension Office, State Office Building, 3060 Eiwa Street, Room 210, Lihue. Many titles are available for loan, but owing to limited resources only Kauai residents may borrow publications. This Microsoft Excel file is a catalogue of titles currently available.