Adams Ranch and Farmton Cattle Company join forces for sustainable cattle production
Edgewater, FLA – A hundred head of Adams Ranch cattle will be heading to lands within Farmton’s 60,000-acre tree-farm operation, as part of a new business venture between two venerable and multi-generational agricultural companies. The new business, Adams Ranch - Farmton LLC, brings together two family businesses in what is envisioned to be a long-term relationship to expand Adams Ranch’s sustainable cattle production efforts, which began on their St. Lucie County ranch in 1937.
“Part of our family heritage has always been a focus on environmental stewardship,” said Mike Adams, president of Adams Ranch, “and the same is true for Miami Corporation and Farmton - so there is a strong cultural fit between our two companies. Our plan is to continue to expand our sustainable cattle operations and partnering with Miami Corporation and related companies, who have been involved in agricultural operations and environmental stewardship efforts for multiple generations like ours, made perfect sense,” added Adams.
The Adams Ranch ABEEF cattle will arrive in June and initially graze on approximately 1,125 acres of land owned by Farmton Deering Park, located within the city of Edgewater. The ABEEF composite is a unique breed of cattle that uses Adams Ranch heat-adapted Brafords, adds Red Angus for marbling and Gelbvieh for muscling. ABEEF cattle possess qualities that allow for open range ranching in Florida’s sunny, tropical climate and are among the most heat-tolerant animals in the southeast.
Cattle production is part of the expansion of the agricultural operations on the vast property owned by Miami Corporation and related companies, which currently include timber, hunting and mitigation banking.
The joint cattle operation will expand over time to additional properties in Volusia and Brevard counties owned by the Miami Corporation and related companies. As timber continues to be harvested on Farmton as it has been since the 1930s, portions of the land will eventually be converted to pasture, to ready it for additional cattle, as well as sod, and potentially other agricultural uses.
“As we look to diversify our agricultural operations, Adams Ranch was a natural fit for us to team up with,” said Mike Brown, Director of Operations for Farmton. “Their innovative and sustainable cattle ranching will be an exciting new endeavor for us as we integrate the cattle onto our land.”
About Miami Corporation
Miami Corporation is a privately owned family investment company. It was incorporated in 1917 by descendants of the family that participated in the founding of Deering Harvester and subsequent incorporation of International Harvester, world-renowned farm implement companies that revolutionized agriculture in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Miami Corporation and its affiliates have owned the Farmton Tract since the 1920s and have managed the land ever since. Miami Corporation is the largest private landowner in Volusia County and one of the largest in Brevard County. In 2012, Volusia and Brevard counties adopted the Farmton Local Plan, an innovative, 50-year plan for the property that will preserve the environmental gems of Farmton as well as provide for continued agriculture, sustainable places for jobs, recreation and living. Nearly 80% of the Farmton Tract will be preserved in perpetuity. For more information visit www.farmtontreefarm.com.
About Adams Ranch
Founded in 1937, Adams Ranch is a fourth-generation cattle business operating in St. Lucie, Madison, Okeechobee, and Osceola Counties, and is headquartered in Fort Pierce, Florida. The ranch encompasses approximately 40,000 acres of Florida pasture and is one of the top producing cow-calf ranches in the United States. Adams Ranch uses natural ranching practices and total ranch management as part of their environmental stewardship and conservation programs, helping to preserve their lands for generations to come. For more information visit www.adamsranch.com.
