From the Extension: Florida is a hotbed for the cattle industry – Daily Commercial

The word cowboy often evokes images of the Old West, but cattle in America could be more accurately associated with the Old East.

Ponce de Leon, of fountain of youth fame, first introduced cattle to the new world in Florida in 1521. These first Florida cattle were small statured with sharp horns and had a knack for eking out a living in an inhospitable environment. Despite the heat, biting insects, swampy terrain and lack of nutritious forage, the scrappy Spanish cattle not only survived but also thrived, paving the way for economic development and growth in the state.

Nearly 500 years after the first cattle set hoof in Florida, the beef industry continues to play an important role in the economy and culture of our state.

Modern Florida is considered a cow-calf state, with the majority of ranchers caring for brood cows on pasture and raising calves to sell at the market. Weaned calves are typically sent west to grow and mature on rich pasture for several months prior to being moved to the feed yard where they are finished on a grain-based diet. Florida is home to an estimated one million cows (mature females), bulls (mature, intact males), and heifers (young females who have not yet had a calf) that produce approximately 800,000 calves per year. The total value of cattle in Florida is estimated in excess of $1 billion and the Florida beef industry has an economic impact of $900 million annually.

Many Central Florida residents would be surprised to know that the largest cow-calf operation in the U.S. is a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, and five of the 10 largest cow-calf ranches in the country are in Florida.

When it comes to purchasing and consuming beef, consumers have more choices now than ever. There are 60 unique retail cuts of beef available, each with its own best use, taste profile and degree of tenderness. In the mood to grill? Theres a cut for that. Do you want to set it and forget it in the crockpot? Theres a cut for that, as well.

Consumers also have options as to how their beef was raised and fed. You may have seen beef labeled as grass finished in the butchers case and wondered what that means and how it differs from conventional beef. All beef cattle live the majority of their lives on pasture. Grass-finished beef remain on pasture until processing, while conventional beef cattle are fed grain during the last several months of their life. Grass finished beef tends to be leaner with less intramuscular fat (marbling) and a slightly different taste profile.

Regardless of the cut of beef or how the cattle were fed, consumers should feel confident that their beef is safe, wholesome and nutritious. Each 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides approximately 25 grams of protein, nearly half of the daily recommendation. Beef is also an excellent source of zinc, iron, selenium, and B vitamins, such as riboflavin, B12 and niacin.

Beef cattle in Florida do more than stimulate our economy and nourish our citizens, they also serve to protect green spaces from further development. Cattle ranchers are considered one of the original stewards of the environment, with ranches often being cared for by multiple generations of Floridians. More than 4.5 million acres in Florida are currently used to graze cattle. These green spaces help to filter water, recharge our precious aquifer and serve as a habitat for numerous species of birds, reptiles, insects and mammals. As Florida continues to grow and develop, these habitats will become even more critical to the survival of native wildlife and may play a role in protecting vulnerable species from extinction.

Next time you are out and about, I encourage you to notice and appreciate the pastoral beauty of our local ranches, just one of the many ways that agriculture helps to make and keep Lake County a wonderful place to call home.

For information on the beef industry, agriculture in general or making healthy diet choices, contact the local UF/IFAS Extension Office in Tavares.

Megan Mann is a livestock agent at the UF/IFAS Lake County Extension Center. Email her at horsygrl@ufl.edu.

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From the Extension: Florida is a hotbed for the cattle industry - Daily Commercial