3 minute read
Pines to Palms - Big Timber Cattle Company
For the past several years I’ve sought escape from the long Minnesota winters to the warm tropical sunshine state. Swapping out my snow-covered pines for sun bleached palm trees, white sandy beaches and Bermuda grass fairways. I was excited about this trip as I had made some plans to visit a few ranches and take advantage of some travel to visit some new locations.
Florida still surprises me, a 30 ft putt that went in after 5 days of missing them (first eagle on Clearwater’s #14), and the drive to Big Timber Cattle Company. I remarked to my chauffer (my cousin Richard) to let me know when we hit cattle country. He replied with an assuring “OK, but we’re here.”
As we pulled into Big Timber Cattle Company in Lithia, FL this past March I was struck by how suburban it was. It never did become rural at least to my midwestern definition of rural. Yet there I was, staring at a herd of Angus cattle, not more than 25 miles from the city of Tampa. Hay rounds line the property adjacent to the busy street that brought me here, and I suspect also double as a way to reduce road noise. The barn on my right displays the Certified Angus Beef logo which faces the road for all to see. It also houses the main office, where I find and meet owner Richie Longanecker.
The name Big Timber branches from Richie’s other business as owner and operator of Southern Pine Timber Products. They have been meeting construction needs since 1987, specializing in Lumber, Timber, Piling, Poles and custom work. Richie’s engineering degree helped with the construction of the main barn which also houses the sawmill for Southern Pine Timber. As well as another Timber frame barn on the property that really showcases Richie’s ability as an engineer, and perhaps his vision of the property for the future.
Richie started Big Timber Cattle Company in 2000 with registered Angus primarily from Long’s Angus Ranch. Prior to
that he had dabbled in a small commercial herd, some Red Angus as well but quickly realized that Registered Black Angus would be the only way he could reach his goals in what he had hoped to accomplish as a way of bringing more income into the land. In the years to come he added genetics from Gardiner’s, as well as taking full advantage of A.I. & embryo transfer.
Today, Richie has help with the cattle from his son Zac, who acts as herd manager & embryologist as well as an exceptional tour guide. They start calving in August and Zac explained to me that the problem they have is keeping the cattle adequately nourished with such low protein in the forage. Keeping the weight on, with a constant battle of flies and heat is probably the biggest obstacle they must overcome. Raising about 200 cows over 125 acres in 2 pastures is a chore in itself - Something I got to experience firsthand. I usually don’t cite traffic as a major obstacle when visiting ranches, especially going from one pasture to another, but there it was.
Big Timber’s goal was to produce functional cattle with efficient growth and Angus beef with off-the-chart carcass traits that would resist the hot Florida climate. One would say they hit that out of the park this year as owners of the #1 $C; B I G Home Run (Groundbreaking! 433$C) as well as TC Eastwood, B I G/ AH Home Town B109 & Green Garden Lady T276. Check out their sale ad on the back cover, their online sale May 20 th , and the greener pasture on the front cover.
