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?

Hi there! My name is Dolly (XS76).
I'm the one with the white lazy "D" on my forehead. I'm also the "leader of this group". I've been here since l996.
Calves:
1998/01/25: bull..."Elway" - SOLD
1999/02/25: heifer..."Polly" - SOLD
2000/02/02: bull... "Bumper" - SOLD
2000/12/24: bull ... "Stomper" - SOLD
2001 . . . open
2002/06/09: bull ... - SOLD
2003 . . . open
2004/04/15: bull ... - SOLD
2005 . . . open
2006 . . . calf died

My name is Molly (XS78).
They call me the "most temperamental" of the group. No wonder with Dolly bossing me around all the time! I came here in l996, too, so what gives her the right?
Calves:
1999/02/19: bull..."Primo" - SOLD
2000/01/12: bull..."Humper" - SOLD
2000/11/21: heifer..."Miss Millie" - SOLD
2001: open
2002/01/01: bull ... "Mr. New Year" - SOLD
2003/01/20: bull ... - SOLD
2004/02/24: bull ... -SOLD

Hi there! My name is Jolly (SF80).
They call me the "most stubborn" of the group because I refused to nurse my first calf. I did better with the 2nd one so they didn't take me to Webster. I came here in January of 1997 with Holly.
Calves:
1999/04/07: heifer..."Golly" - SOLD
2000/02/05: bull..."Jumper" - SOLD
2001: open
2002/04/18: heifer ... "Double K"
2003/04/15: bull ... - SOLD
2004/11: calf due

Hi there! My name is CaseyCut (769/405C).
I'm the first "registered" cow around here & I make sure the other girls know it although it's not always so easy. I came in March of 97 & had my first calf in March of l999.
Calves:
1999/07/22: bull... "Ollie" - SOLD
2000/11/17: heifer ... "Miss Lillie" - SOLD
2001/02/14: heifer ... "Miss Valentine" - SOLD
2002: open
2003/02/18: twins ... heifer - SOLD & stillborn bull
2004/03/15: bull ... "St.Pat's" - SOLD

Hi there! My name is KK or DoubleK.
I'm the newest gal around here. My mother is Jolly and I was born on 4/18/02. I haven't had any calves yet but maybe 2005 will start me producing. The Lechner's grandkids were here when I was born so I'm named after Kelly and Katie!

Hi there! My name is Cooleo.
I'm the new BULL around here. I came in 2003 because Donger died while over at the ranch across the road. Don't really know what happened over there but I for one am glad those people are no longer in the cattle business cause I sure wouldn't want to go over there! Phew! that's a relief!

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