Southwest Florida Beef/Forage Program
FY 1996 Plan of Work

Program purpose:

The purpose of this Extension Educational Effort is to maintain or increase the profitability, production, and efficiency of Southwest Florida beef cattle operations.

Current situation:

By all economic indicators, the beef cattle industry is facing increased market pressures due to the national herd base as well as increased competition as a result of NAFTA and GATT. Consequently, beef producers are realizing reduced income from feeder calf sales.

In addition, the Southwest Florida beef cattle industry has been subject to some unique and area-specific pressures during the past decade, due largely to the rapid and widespread citrus industry expansion and increased land use and environmental regulations. Producers have incurred a net loss of more than 285,000 acres or 19% of the area's pasture lands since 1984. The majority of this loss in pasture acreage has been improved or semi-improved pastures. This widespread conversion in land use has, in most cases, resulted in displacement of cattle to more marginally productive native-type pastures. With an increased dependance on native pastures and associated resources such as water, wetlands, and wildlife, producers are subject to close scrutiny by planning agencies regarding production practices including grazing, burning, and chopping. Southwest Florida beef producers repeatedly list regulations as the single most important issue that they face.

The Southwest Florida Area Beef/Forage Advisory Committee has identified three areas of focus where extension educational programs could have a significant impact:

1. Marketing Alternatives
2. Reducing Costs of Production
3. Environmental/Land Use Issues

Emphasis will be placed on reduced-cost management strategies, reproductive efficiency, utilization of native range, and an improved systems approach to grazing management.

Statistical Data:

According to survey data gathered by the county extension offices and the 1987 Census data, there are approximately 165,480 brood cows that are grazed on 1,376,416 acres of pasture. The pasture is composed of 240,245 acres of improved and fertilized grasses, 189,140 acres of old farm fields, and 781,551 acres of native range.

According to the 1995 survey data, 1994 FASS data and estimates by the County Extension offices, the average production and economic data of the beef cattle operations in Southwest Florida are as follows:

Preferred situation:

Given the market situation, adverse impacts to income could be minimized and profits maintained by reducing costs of production by 10% without a significant reduction in production. Also, producers could benefit in numerous ways by increasing their participation in the process of developing land use/environmental regulations and BMP's.

Significance:

If objectives are met, a 10% decrease in the cost of production will result in a $4.2 million increase in gross profits for beef producers in SW Florida. In addition, active involvement in the development of land use/environmental regulations will result in more sustainable, and implementable regulations and BMP's.