TRIBUTE TO BUD ADAMS — 1926-2017
15
A CATTLEMAN’S LIFE
1926 — Alto Lee
“Bud’’ Adams Jr. is
born Easter Sunday,
April 4, in Fort Pierce
to lawyer Alto Lee
Adams Sr. and wife,
Carra Adams.
1928 — Sister Elaine,
his only other sibling,
is born.
1936 — Gets first camera and begins a
lifelong passion with photography.
1937 — Alto Adams Sr. buys various tracts of
land to create a ranch west of Fort Pierce
1938 — Alto Lee
Adams Sr. appointed
circuit judge.
1939 — Begins
working with his
father’s business
partner, legendary
cattleman Irlo
Bronson. “I learned
the cattle business
from Irlo Bronson,’’
Bud said.
1940 — Alto Lee
Adams Sr. appointed
to state Supreme
Court. The family
moves to Tallahassee
and Bud attends
Leon High School.
1944-45 — Serves in the U.S. Navy, studies
nuclear physics at Emory University.
1947 — Becomes managing partner of Alto
Adams & Son Ranch.
1948 —
Graduates
from the
University
of Florida
with a
degree in
economics.
Returns to
Fort Pierce
to run the
ranch.
Crosses
Hereford
bulls on
Brahman
cows to
create Brafords, a hearty breed suitable for
the Florida climate.
1949 —Marries
the former Dorothy
Snively, “the
prettiest girl at
FSU.’’ The union
lasts for 68 years
and produces
three sons, 14
grandchildren
and nine greatgrandchildren.
1950 — First son Alto Lee Adams III born.
1955 — Second son Michael Adams born.
1956 —Youngest son Robert Adams born.
1958 — Serves as president of the Florida
Cattlemen’s Association.
1963 — Ranch is incorporated as Adams
Ranch Inc., with Alto Adams Jr. and sister
Elaine Harrison and their children as
shareholders. Citrus groves planted at the
ranch. Land bought in Osceola County (Lake
Marian) to total 33,000 acres.
1969 — Founds the International Braford
Association, known today as the United
Braford Breeders.
1970 —Adams Ranch herd exceeds 10,000
cows.
1979 — First annual auction of Braford cattle.
1985 —Turns over management of ranch to
his three sons — Lee, Mike and Robbie. Lee
and Robbie elect Mike president and Bud
remains chairman of the board.
1988 — Alto Lee Adams Sr. dies at the age
of 89.
1991 —Receives Florida Cattlemen’s
Association Environmental Award
and National Cattlemen’s Foundation
Environmental Stewardship Award.
1992 — Carra Adams dies at the age of 92.
1997— Receives the National Cattlemen’s
Beef Association’s Cattle Business of the
Century Award. Produces ABEEF breed —
a mix of red angus, Gelbvieh, Brahman
and Hereford cattle.
1999 — Inducted into the Florida Agricultural
Hall of Fame. Adams Ranch is named Ranch
of the Century by the National Cattlemen’s
Beef Association.
2006 — Starting with the inaugural issue,
photography begins appearing in Indian
River Magazine in a department called Back
Country.
2012 — Adams and Harrison families divide
Fort Pierce and Lake Marian ranches and
Harrison family divests ownership shares of
Adams Ranch Inc. The Harrisons’ new 4H
Ranch encompasses the east side of the old
ranch in Fort Pierce while the original homestead,
ranch office and cattle pens remain part
of Adams Ranch.
2013 — Receives the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s
Landowner of the Year Award.
2016 — Recognized by Florida Magazine
Association for photography and Back
Country feature.
2017 — Dies at the Fort Pierce ranch Sept. 22
at the age of 91.
Alto Lee “Bud’’ Adams Jr.
Irlo Bronson
Dot Adams
Florida Supreme Court
Judge Alto Lee Adams Sr.
ADAMS RANCH COLLECTION
During World War II, the Navy sent Bud to Emory
University to study nuclear physics.
Bud on roping horse.
This bull is an ABEEF, one of the breeds developed
by Bud.
Adams with his three sons and two of his grandsons.
— Compiled by Gregory Enns