Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Research to Strengthen Florida’s Cattle Industry
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board plays a pivotal role in advancing the state’s beef industry through targeted research, education, and promotion. By funding innovative projects tailored to Florida’s unique environment, the board ensures cattle producers have access to the latest science-based insights and practices.
We recently spoke with Brent Sellers, professor at the University of Florida and director of the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona, Florida. Sellers offered valuable insight into how the board’s funding is transforming research efforts statewide.
“I think the funds from the Cattle Enhancement Board has really allowed us to do some meaningful research that really directly impacts the cattle producers in Florida. And I think being that, especially here in the central and southern part of the state, that we live in a subtropical to tropical environment, this funding really allows us to provide data that would not likely to be funded by any other agency or entity. And really, on top of that, it’s these smaller funded studies like these that faculty can utilize to generate ideas for larger funding opportunities. That require preliminary data.
So, not only are we really impacting producer directly, we can use those data to potentially, I don’t want to use the word jump start, but jump start other research that can be funded at a much larger scale.”
Florida’s cattle producers face unique challenges due to the subtropical and tropical climates, and traditional funding sources often overlook these regional needs. The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board’s investment bridges that gap, allowing researchers to focus on real-world solutions that improve forage management, herd health, and cattle productivity in the state.
In addition to supporting field research, the board’s contributions help lay the foundation for larger-scale research grants, generating the preliminary data necessary to compete for national funding.
This partnership between industry and academia ensures Florida cattle producers benefit from ongoing innovation and science-backed practices, positioning the state as a leader in sustainable and efficient beef production.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.