Deseret Ranches

The largest cow/calf ranching operation is in Florida, not Texas. Just to give some perspective they require 1,300 bulls to cover the 44,000 cows.

Dotted with lakes, and native forested areas, the ranch is home to deer, turkey, armadillos, eagles, alligators and other wildlife. The ranch has received awards for its extensive wildlife and natural resource programs and has a full-time biologist on staff. Erik Jacobsen is the CEO.

From Wikipedia:
“Deseret Ranches refers to the ranching operations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Central Florida. The Ranches include several organizations including Deseret Ranches of Florida, Deseret Cattle and Citrus, Taylor Creek Management, East Central Florida Services, Agreserves, and Farmland Reserve. Located 7 miles east of the Orlando International Airport and 19 miles west of Cape Canaveral, Florida, Deseret Ranches was one of the largest cow-calf ranches in the United States in 2001. This ranch, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spreads over the three central Florida counties of Osceola, Orange, and Brevard. Covering almost 300,000 acres of land, Deseret Ranch is home to 90 ranchers, their families, and 44,000 head of cattle. It is a for profit operation and is not a normal part of the humanitarian efforts of the LDS Church. Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of the church has said, “We have felt that good farms, over a long period, represent a safe investment where the assets of the Church may be preserved and enhanced, while at the same time they are available as an agricultural resource to feed people should there come a time of need.”

“The earliest plans for this ranch were made in 1949, and in 1950 the original 45,000 acres were purchased. Deseret Ranch now covers an area 50 miles long and 30 wide, with a separate section surrounding Kenansville in Osceola County. Although the Church does not disclose the revenue of the ranch, it is known that in year 2000 they moved 16 million pounds of calves, which at the time translated to about $16 million in revenue.”