TRIBUTE TO BUD ADAMS — 1926-2017
ROBERT ADAMS
Photos show Adams at ages 10 and 89 at the same cow pens with the same barn in the background. In the 1937 photo, young Bud surveys a herd of native
Spanish cattle. In the 2015 photo, he looks over a herd of Braford, a breed he developed that is much heartier than the original herd.
the ranch, and they lived there all his life. That’s where they
raised three sons — Lee, Mike and Robbie — who grew up to
help him run the ranch and eventually take the reins.
His devotion to Dot only intensified in the last 12 years
after her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. He was home
with her daily, feeding her and ensuring she received the best
of care.
Besides their three sons, the couple were grandparents
to 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, many of
them involved in the ranching operation.
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PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE
The ranch was more than a place for cattle to graze and
cows to calve. As Florida’s rampant urban expansion began
squeezing out nature’s wide assortment of creatures, Adams
made sure his ranch remained a habitat for all wildlife. He
celebrated the many animals and birds on his land in stunning
photographs he took. His photographs appeared as a
regular feature in Indian River Magazine.
“A perfect world is one with a good balance of man, animals
and the land,” he often reminded listeners. “Our plan- >>
ROBERT ADAMS
Cowboys drive Brafords to another pasture at the Fort Pierce ranch. In the
1940s, Bud developed the Braford, a cross between Brahmas and Herefords,
which is known for its heartiness and ability to adapt to Florida’s climate.
ROBERT ADAMS
Bud talks to Doug Partin, a well-known cowboy, at the Lake Marian ranch.
Son Lee is to the right.