Seminole Tribe of Florida Sells its Interests in Salacoa Valley Farms
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., announced the sale of its interests in Salacoa Valley Farms of Fairmount, Ga. The purchasers are Ricky Cleveland, owner of Quail Valley Farms in Oneonta, Ala., and Erik and Kim Wiley of Wiley Ranch in Effie, La. The sale price was not disclosed.
Salacoa Valley Farms is one of the nation’s largest cattle operations focused on purebred Brangus cattle. It is primarily a seed stock operation and produces purebred bulls and heifers for cattle operators who want to improve the quality of their herds.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., purchased the Salacoa Valley Farms brand and existing cowherd of more than 1,000 head in 2013, as well as embryos and semen, plus equipment used in the cattle operation. It has leased several thousand acres of Salacoa Valley Farms land to operate the business since the 2013 purchase.
The sale announced today includes assets purchased in 2013, plus additional equipment and a herd that has grown to approximately 1,300 head of Brangus cattle.
Among reasons for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., initial purchase of Salacoa Valley Farms was the potential to improve genetics among the cowherds of Seminole Tribe cattle operators on the Brighton Seminole Reservation and the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in Florida. Members of the Seminole Tribe are cooperative owners of one of the largest cow-calf operations in the state.
“Tribal herds have improved from Salacoa genetics,” said Aaron Stam, Natural Resources Director for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. “Individual cattle owners have purchased Salacoa bulls and cows, which have helped to increase yearling weights and weaning weights of Seminole cattle.”
Stam said the Tribe has renewed its focus on continuing to improve cowherds and cattle operations on its reservations. He said the sale of Salacoa Valley Farms is part of a reallocation of Tribe resources to focus on its Florida herds.
About the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., the non-gaming business development arm of the Seminole Tribe, operates convenience stores and service stations, as well as the Seminole Petroleum fuel distribution company. In addition to its cattle operations, it also manages citrus groves.
