Environmental Lands Management Using Cattle Grazing
Animal Science
Laura Bennett
Multi-County Livestock Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
Dade City
Abstract
The State of Florida owns 4,940,120 acres which is about 14.2% of land area of Florida. The purpose of this educational program and tour was to increase the knowledge of land managers of the ecosystem services provided by cattle grazing and of best management practices cattle producers follow to increase productivity and manage forage. The program was held at a public-owned property currently being managed with cattle grazing. The two-part program consisted of seminars covering ecosystem services, phosphorous and nitrogen budgets and soil health, stocking rates and forage management, and body condition scoring and physiology. Specialists from the Ona Range Cattle Research and Education Center and Archbold Biological Station assisted with the program. In the afternoon, the tour included demonstrations on soil testing, weed identification and management, hay production, body condition scoring and winter supplementation of cattle. Participants received a handbook with resources. Participants in the program included officials from Florida Water Management Districts, municipalities, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Forestry Division, and the hosts from Pinellas County government. Retrospective surveys were used to determine knowledge gained by participants. They indicated an average knowledge gain of 61% on the topics. Nearly 2/3 of the participants were currently land managers overseeing nearly 1 million acres of land. From the evaluations, 94% stated they felt more equipped in their land management role; 89% stated they have a more positive view of cattle grazing leases as a tool for land management. Comments in our surveys showed we may impact future discussions about land management. The Environmental Lands Management Using Cattle Grazing Program provided an educational program for land managers in a setting with Extension Agents. The end goal beyond knowledge gain and behavior change was for land managers to establish relationships with UF/IFAS Extension Agents; Agents provide science-based resources for their land management decisions. The Environmental Lands Management Using Cattle Grazing Program is being repeated in 2022 with new topics, including wild hog and invasive weeds management and will be held at a new location.
Authors: Lindsey Wiggins, Lauren Butler, Laura Bennett, Christa Kirby
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Lindsey Wiggins Multi-County Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Hendry County, Florida, 33935
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Lauren Butler Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Okeechobee County, Florida, 34972
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Laura Bennett Multi-County Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Pasco County, Florida, 33525
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Christa Kirby Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Florida, 34221