1513 probably was the first introduction of cattle to Florida. Juan Ponce de Leon landed south of Ft. Myers, bringing with him a small herd of Andalusian cattle that was native to his home land.

In 1521 he returned to Florida, after voyages back to spain, to try to form a colony. He was forced off the land by the Caloosa Indians, and went back to his ship with a mortal wound. Off they sailed leaving the cattle to run wild.

By the time of 1540 there were already cattle running wild in the Panhandle. While Don Diego Maldonado brought another herd of Andalusians, the Indians stole most of them, and some were lost to run in the wild.

In 1565 when St. Augstine was founded, 200 heifer calves were shiped for the soldiers rations. Later Jesuit and Franciscan Friars set up missions to convert Indians to Christianity (which didn't work out), but this is also when beef produstion started, farmers would use Indain labor to tend to the livestock.

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