Agriculture in Southwest Florida: Cattle/Forage
Center for Natural Resources, 2000. University of Florida, IFAS, CNR-2
The MacArthur Agro-Ecology (MAERC) project investigates
the relationships between cattle ranching, citrus production and Florida native
ecosystems. Researching the complex issues surrounding natural resource management
in an agricultural environment, program participants hope to develop protective
strategies of Florida natural resources while still maintaining economically viable
and compatible agricultural industries within the state. Particularly important
is understanding how cattle and citrus production affect water quality and soil
nutrients, and how these factors influence invertebrate and wildlife populations.
Publications
Arthington, J.D., F.M. Roka, J.J. Mullahey, S.W. Coleman, R.M. Muchovej, L.O. Lollis,
and D. Hitchcock. University of Florida. Rangeland Ecology & Mgmt. Vol. 60(1):12-18
The presence of grazing cattle near open waterways has created environmental concerns
related to the potential for water contamination. In Florida the removal of cattle
from grazing landscapes or decreasing stocking density is being investigated as
one option to improve the quality of surface water runoff draining into Lake Okeechobee,
Florida. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of stocking rate
on cow-calf performance, forage availability and quality, and ranch economic performance.
Fritz M. Roka, Leslie E. Baucum, Ronald W. Rice, and Jose Alvarez. Journal Amer.
Soc. Of Sugar Cane Technologists. Vol. 30, 2010
Sugarcane production in Florida is concentrated south and west of Lake Okeechobee
and is grown on both muck and sand soils. During the 2008-2009 season, more than
12 million metric tons of sugarcane was harvested and supported important sugarcane
milling and sugar refining operations located in southern Florida. Farms on muck
soils account for 80% of Florida’s annual sugarcane crop, while farms on sand soils
account for the remaining 20%. This paper compares revenues, production costs and
net annual returns from two equally sized sugarcane farms (2,000 hectare) representing
typical growing conditions on sand and muck soils.
Competition of Giant Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) in a Bahiagrass Pasture
Competition of Giant Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) in a Bahiagrass Pasture, Jason
A. Ferrell, J. Jeffrey Mullahey, Joan A. Dusky, and Fritz M. Roka. 2006. Weed Science,
54(1):100-105.