BUSINESS
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ROBERT ADAMS
BEEFING UP
BUSINESS
Adams Ranch reinvents itself by
offering direct delivery service
Adams Ranch purchased a specialized van in order to branch out and offer direct sales and delivery of its natural beef. Driver Caleb Adams also delivers
fresh beef to the downtown Farmers Market in Fort Pierce.
BY ANTHONY WESTBURY
Since Alto Adams Sr. first purchased ranch land on
western Orange Avenue in St. Lucie County in 1937,
the place has been a constant hive of innovation.
Judge Adams insisted on breeding his cattle the
old-fashioned, natural way — using little to no chemicals.
His son, Alto Jr. Bud expanded that approach exponentially,
putting Adams Ranch on the map for ultrasustainable farming
and breeding methods.
Bud Adams’ main claim to worldwide acclaim lay in his
cattle breeding exploits. He developed the Braford breed by
crossing Brahmin and Hereford cattle. This produced an animal
able to withstand Florida’s high temperatures while also
supplying the highest quality meat.
Later, he refined his technique even further with ABEEF
cattle, whose meat is said to be superior in marbling, tenderness
and taste.
Now, since his death in 2017, a new generation has taken
the reins at the ranch.
EXPANDING THE BUSINESS
Sons Mike, Lee and Robbie have handled day-to-day operations
since 1985. Now the next generation of Adamses is
in the saddle. LeeAnn Simmons, 39, Lee Adams’ daughter, is
corporate secretary and runs the newest side of the business,
Adams Ranch Natural Beef.
Simmons and her father and uncles decided to expand the
availability of natural beef by selling direct to local restaurants
and upscale grocery store chains a few years ago. And
even more recently, the company has branched out to offer
direct sales of beef to retail customers on the Treasure Coast.
While Adams Ranch still plays its historical role of cattle
breeding and the wholesale sale of beef, the natural beef side
of the business accounts for an eye-popping 30% of total
ranch revenue.
“We still supply 26 Whole Foods stores in Florida and
some restaurants, such as the Gafford in Stuart, as we have
the meat,” Simmons said. >>