Florida home-grown beef to hit store shelves next January

Florida home-grown beef to hit store shelves next January

LAKE WALES -- A dozen Florida cattle ranchers have formed a new company that will market beef grown entirely in the Sunshine State.

Customers can scan bar code with cell phones to find out where beef was grown and how it was raised

In the past, almost all cattle raised in Florida was sold and sent to feed lots in the Midwest to be fattened up before slaughter. the ranchers believe there is strong demand for "grown in Florida" food.

The Florida Cattle Ranchers company will send about 25,000 head of cattle to a feed lot in North Florida to be fattened up. That's possible because more corn is being grown in Florida.

"It's very exciting to me because it's from one point from the beginning to the end," said Dr. Robert Gukich.

The veterinarian has more than 1,000 head of cattle at several ranches. One is near Lake Wales in Polk County. His G7 Ranch will supply at least 500 head of cattle to the new company.

Gukich has three sons-in-law who work at his cattle ranches, including Tim Lawson. Lawson said many consumers want to know where their food comes from. That will happen with the new company.

"They can get to know the people who raise them for them. Let them know they are getting a good product. They take care of their cows," he said.

There will be a special label on the beef at the store. Customers will be able to scan a bar code with their cell phones. It will tell them where their beef was grown and how it was raised.

The ranchers hope to cash in big with the company.

"Supply jobs for Florida people through growing corn, raising cattle, slaughterhouses, etc., I think it all fits right there," said Gukich.

The first Florida Cattle Ranchers beef should hit store shelves next January.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Florida home-grown beef to hit store shelves next January ."