I have heard of mixed results with F-1s in that general part of the US. Some have had success being growth and survival rates that were not unusually low. This means survival and ok growth but not at rates encountered in say Tenn (I-40) and south.

If you can find northern LMB that are feed trained you should have good success. That would be my base for LMB. If you want to add a few F-1s then try to find a source with northern male genetics (from the North not from several generations in the south) and TX ,AR etc. female Florida genetics). What that means is no parental source from Florida or deep gulf coast south. Local adaptation in only a few generations can be substantial. If you can find them then try to buy a few females (only female Fla LMB get big).