Randall and Donna Fox purchased Circle R Farms in 1998. Randall grew up farming with his granddad, Mr. D.C. Rickett, so farming and the cattle business were nothing new to Randall. The property he purchased was already fenced but a lot more needed cleared and new fences built. In 1999 the farm was ready for cattle but what kind.

Randall remembered his granddaddy having big red Santa Gertrudis cows: they were good mommas, easy keepers and more important, easy calvers. So with that in mind Randall set out to find a herd of Santa Gertrudis cows.

Long time Santa Gertrudis breeder, Mr. Red Ethridge, in Collinsville, Alabama was selling out, so that’s where he started. Randall went to see the cattle and purchased the herd.  It was a nice group with a lot of good blood lines. Soon after, Randall bought another group of cows from Mr. Ernest Wilson who was another long time Santa Gertrudis breeder who lived just down the road. This brought more good bloodlines, young cows and heifers.

Over the next few years Randall and Donna were able to buy more land adjoining the farm, this allowed them to up the numbers. More groups were bought from Carey Creek, Merritt Farms, Tinney Farms and Wendt Ranches. After putting all these good cattle together Circle R reached 200 females in production.

In 2002 Randall and manager Kurt Sutherland met with Polled Hereford breeder, Randy Owen, owner of Tennessee River Music. The Star 5 Program was introduced by SGBI.  Randall and Randy discussed the program and decided Santa Gertrudis cows mated to Polled Hereford bulls would be an ideal mating.

Four Polled Hereford bulls were purchased from Tennessee River Music to put on the Santa Gertrudis cows. The first Star 5 calves were born and they were very exciting! In fact, the Mott calves were so popular we couldn’t produce them fast enough.

The offspring make great momma cows and the best complement is to have the same buyers return year after year for replacement heifers.

Circle R is now around 600 acres with 200 top quality cows (problem free cows), good bags, good feet, good disposition and every thing else it takes to make the keeper list. Circle R takes pride in the group of females we have put together and are happy to offer such high quality replacement Star 5’s. Visitors are always welcomed so give us a call if you’re ever in our area.