Caribbean Food Crops Society 44th Annual Meeting July 13th - 17th, 2008  Miami, Florida, USA  Hosted by:

44th Meeting Home    Registration    Program    Field Trips    Hotel Information    Abstract Submission    CFCS Main

Field Trip 4:  Cattle Ranching

Stop #1 (Whole Day):  Adams Ranch, a beef cattle operation.
http://www.adamsranch.com

Adams Ranch was started in 1937 by Alto Adams in St. Lucie County, Florida and has been in continuous operation for 70 years.  In 1948 a systemic Hereford X Brahman cross breeding program was begun which led to the Braford breed in America.

Today, the Adams Ranches have grown to 65,000 acres across several sites in Florida and  Georgia.  Both registered bulls and commercial cattle are produced.

Beginning in 1990, the Adams Ranch began development of new composite breeds with the objective of producing heat-tolerant beef animals for the 21st Century market.  These new composites are termed ABEEF and are a balanced 4-breed composition of Red Angus, Gelbvieh, Hereford and, Brahman.  To develop the breeds, Braford cows were bred to Red Angus bulls (ARRAB) or Gelbvieh bulls (ARGEL).  ARRAB bulls were then bred to ARGEL females and ARGEL bulls were mated with ARRAB females. These cattle exhibit maximum hybrid vigor and can be used long-term straight breeding or as terminal sire.

Land management, conservation and wildlife are important components of the Adams Ranch and their environmental programs are nationally recognized.  Adams Ranch is dedicated to a program of total ranch management which adapts the cattle to fit the land, the climate, the insects, and the feed that is available.  Care is taken to preserve the natural cover of the wildlife. The ranch has planted pasture grasses, clovers and legumes to support native wildlife and ongoing environmental programs.

Adams ranch is home to various wildlife such as bald eagles, alligators, bobcats, wild turkey, hawks, owls, herons and egrets.