C.R. and Cora Lee Bowen moved to Gardner in 1942 and gradually built the Cirle 5 Bar Ranch.
They first used Brahman bulls and then Hereford and eventually Angus. C.R., as he was called
frequently said "Drink yourself a large glass of orange juice and eat you a big steak and that's
the business I'm in". Citrus has always been an important part of the business. C.R. used
to say "You need both cattle and citrus, usually if one is low the other is high". C.R. passed
away in 1996 and Cora Lee in 1998, leaving the ranch to four daughters and one son. Upon his death
the family asked daughter, Linda Albritton, to assume the management of the ranch. Linda ran the
ranch for a year by herself, and then her husband Hollis came along as her helpmate on a fulltime
basis.
One of the first improvements to be made was the introduction of Hemarthria and Florakirk on
part of the acreage for hay production. Previously, bahiagrass had been used for hay. Today
bahiagrass remains the predominant grass for permanent pastures. Both Linda and Hollis fee that
bahiagrass meets the forage needs of their cattle better than some of the newer varieties
because of the lower fertilization requirements as well as its drought resistance. Part of the
better pastures are fertilized and the bahia seed is harvested in late summer. Mole crickets
have been a minor problem on approximately 100 acres.
The ranch is managed in cow herds of approximately 200 cows which are rotationally grazed
throughout the season. On a normal year, haying would begin in December and continue until
April. The last two years have been easy winters and very little hay has been put out. Liquid
feed is supplemented to replacement heifers and bulls during the winter. Block salt and mineral
is provided year round.
The Albritton's have reduced their breeding season from year round to 9 months and are planning
to shorten it further by reducing it to 7 months within the next 2 years. Bulls are placed
with the cows in December. Bull breeds currently being used are Brangus, Angus, Braford, and
Hereford.
Their herd health program consists of calf hood vaccinations of replacement heifers for
Brucellosis as well as blackleg. The cow herd is vaccinated for leptospirosis and vibriosis as
well as dewormed twice annually. Pregnancy testing has been utilized on a limited basis by
checking only those cows which do not appear to be obviously pregnant. All bulls are semen
tested and this has resulted in an improved calf crop percentage. Trichomoniasis testing will
begin this fall before the breeding season.
When asked why they raise cattle as opposed to working in another occupation, Linda replied,
"Being outside in God's creation among the cows, riding through the pastures is peaceful and
reqarding". Hollis says, "I am a fifth generation farmer and I like to see things grow. At
times it can be aggravating but you get over it, and there is really nothing I'd rather do".
This couple enjoys working side by side, they don't always see eye to eye on every decision
which has to be made, but they rely on each other and where one is weak the other is strong.
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