Forage management practices in Florida beef cattle production by size of operation

Pasture improvement has long been a way to increase the carrying capacity on Florida ranches. Herd sizes can be increased through intensive grazing and aggressive pasture management, or current herds can be maintained on fewer hectares when denser, more nutrient rich forages are available. The objective of this research is to evaluate current attitudes, cultural and management practices, and economic influences on pasture improvement in Florida by size of operation. Data from 271 completed questionnaires received from cattle operations throughout the state was aggregated and sorted by size of operation, as determined by number of beef cows, into small, medium, and large categories. Statistical significance between size groups was tested using a chi-square Goodness-of-Fit Test and analysis of variance. Base survey statistics, such as number of animal and hectares in operation, were significantly different between size groups, while production statistics like number of calves per cow, stocking rate, and cows per bun were not statistically different. Most pasture management practices, such as chemical and fertilizer application practices and costs were not significantly different between operational size groups, though overall pasture renovation costs per hectare were different. The impact of cattle and chemical prices on die decision to invest in pasture improvement, cattle and chemical cross elasticities, were significantly different, with all except the large group having elasticities <1. These results indicate that while small, medium, and large producers differ in overall pasture renovation costs, generally, differences in individual pasture management practices and operational costs are not statistically significant.