Want to know about SOUTH FORK RANCH? . . . then read this . . . if not . . . keep going!

South Fork Ranch, started in l996, is owned & operated by the Lechner family (pronounced lek'ner).   We are native Clevelanders who knew almost nothing about cattle and even less about ranching. What we did know, however, was that we had a lot of land that would need to be mowed & we had to do something quick or spend the rest of our lives on a tractor mowing grass in the hot Florida sun.....Yuck !!

We chose BRANGUS cattle instead . . . and have never regretted that decision.

Since l996, our herd has grown from 2 to 12. Not bad for "know nothings", wouldn't you say?

By now, you've realized we ARE NOT the South Fork Ranch of the hit television series "Dallas."
• We have 5 acres (& lease 12 ); they had 5000 acres.
• We had 12 head of Brangus this year; they had 1200.
• We are in Florida; they were in Texas.
• We are in the present; they are in the past (except for re-runs).
• So much for comparisons . . .

South Fork Ranch is located in beautiful South Lake County, 15 miles south of Clermont, Florida at the intersection of State Route 33 & County Route 561. We are 30 minutes from beautiful Orlando & the Wonderful World of Disney. Visitors and mail ALWAYS welcome!

South Fork Ranch
7383 South Fork Ranch Rd.   Clermont, FL 34711
 (352) 394-7313
E-mail us!

Want to know about BRANGUS cattle? . . . . then read this . . . if not . . . keep going!

Today's BRANGUS are the result of the efforts of cattlemen looking for beef cattle that could not only survive but thrive under stressful conditions and still produce a high quality, tender, juicy product for the marketplace.
In l912, the USDA Experiment Station in Jeanerette, Louisiana and other individual breeders in the southwest began crossing the Brahma and Angus with the goal of producing just such an animal.
The success of their efforts are demonstrated in today's BRANGUS. Animals whose characteristics combine the best qualities of two fabulous breeds.... the hardiness of a Brahman with the delicious beauty of the Angus.

Truly the NUMBER ONE AMERICAN BREED

Brangus cattle must be 3/8 Brahma and 5/8 Angus, totally black and polled to be registered with The International Brangus Breeders Association. This precise combination results in the outstanding Brangus qualities of heat tolerance, disease resistance, high fertility, easy birthing and tender, juicy beef for the dinner table.

What's for dinner you ask? BRANGUS Beef, of course!

If you'd like to know more about Brangus or find a breeder near you, visit the The International Brangus Breeders Association website.

Want to see some cows? . . . . then LOOK here . . . if not . .why are you here?

Click on the thumbnail to see the larger view. Picture will open in a new window

Cooleo 2008

Cooleo 2009

Cooleo 2009

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Dolly 2008

Dolly 2009

Dolly 2009

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brown?

brown?

Our little mystery heifer!!

How can a black mother and black father produce a brown offspring?

Haven't figured this one out yet but apparently it CAN happen.

Click on the thumbnail to see the larger view. Picture will open in a new window

New heifers 1	New heifers 2	New heifers 3
New heifers 1	New heifers 2	New heifers 3
In the Green Swamp	In the Green Swamp	In the Green Swamp

Our herd has diminished from a high of 12 head down to the 6 that are here on property at present. Cattle are a hobby around here and with our long drought feeding them became a challenge. As the cost of hay rolls, alfalfa, sweet feed and nuggets went up and up, more and more cows had to be sold. It was hard to see them go but in times of economic downturn, it was necessary to survive.

This site was created by Marge Lechner just for the pure pleasure of learning html & to create something special for ourselves, our animals & anyone who happens to visit. A special thanks to Karen for her patience & guidance! God bless! July 1999