Circle 5 Bar Ranch

November 1999
Lochrane A. Gary - Hardee County Extension, Director/Livestock Agent

C.R. and Cora Lee Bowen moved to Gardner in 1942 and gradually built the Circle 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 full time basis.

Hollis and Linda Albritton
Hollis and Linda Albritton

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.

cows

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 de-wormed 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.

A day on the ranch
A day on the ranch

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 rewarding". 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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