As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a small, rugged breed of cattle roaming Florida’s pastures is helping tell a much longer American story, one that predates the nation itself and may offer insight into the future of agriculture.
Heritage Florida cattle can be traced to the Spanish livestock introduced after the arrival of Juan Ponce de León in 1521 and the later founding of St. Augustine in 1565. Their descendants today, known as scrub cattle, Pineywoods cattle, swamp cattle or Cracker cattle can be found across Florida at small farms operated by ranchers in St. Johns County.
As the nation looks ahead to its next 250 years, Florida heritage cattle offer a model for how the past can help shape a more resilient agricultural future and smarter use of the land.
To learn more, please visit UF News.
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS
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