Environment

UF/IFAS taps Florida’s Spanish-era heritage cattle to advance sustainable ranching

Florida’s heritage cattle — descended from livestock brought by Spanish settlers as far back as 1521 and still grazing lands like Paynes Prairie near Gainesville — are drawing renewed interest for their natural resilience to heat, parasites, and rough terrain. UF/IFAS Extension, working alongside St. Johns County ranchers, is studying the breed’s low-maintenance traits to help modern agricultural operations adapt to a changing climate. Genetic testing has confirmed that surviving north Florida herds are direct descendants of cattle tied to the original Spanish settlement at St. Augustine.

Sources: UF News