History & Heritage

Livestock

Preserving a Rural Heritage

For generations, cattle have been an integral part of life at Cedar Lodge, reflecting the property's origins as a working agricultural estate and its enduring connection to Louisiana's rural traditions.

In earlier years, cattle moved seasonally between Cedar Lodge and Cortana, traveling through a countryside of open pastures, plantations, and wooded trails. Much of that landscape has since disappeared beneath Baton Rouge's expanding highways and neighborhoods.

Although urban development temporarily interrupted cattle raising at Cedar Lodge, the tradition was eventually revived. The farm's livestock history includes exceptional Hereford cattle, among them the memorable champion known as “Sitting Bull,” whose success at the Houston Livestock Show brought recognition to the program. The horses and cattle were groomed, conditioned and shown nationally, while rescued or disabled animals—including a blind calf called "Ray Charles," were also given a home here.

Today, cattle continue to graze at Cedar Lodge, preserving a visible connection to the property's agricultural past. Their presence recalls a time when livestock and open fields were familiar sights along Jefferson Highway and remains a cherished part of the estate's identity.