Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Praised for Its Unique Applied Research Program
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board continues to stand out as one of the most innovative programs supporting applied research in the cattle industry. This initiative provides researchers, producers, and industry partners with funding to tackle real-world challenges facing Florida cattle operations.
We spoke with Dr. Nicolas DiLorenzo, who shared his perspective on the board’s significant role in advancing the state’s beef industry. “The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and I just wanted to really praise that program because I am fully aware I work with many colleagues across the nation and I know this is unique what we have here so the opportunity to work on projects that are designed to help advance our industry in the most direct way it is it’s one of the best things of my job here as you say I have been blessed with funding from that board many, many times and as I always say it’s a great privilege but it’s also a huge responsibility because one of the things that I really enjoy the most when we have to put together those proposals a little paragraph that we’re asked to talk about the impact on the industry in a return on investment statement I think that is a great I wish every grant agency will have that because it forces you to reflect back and why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
Dr. DiLorenzo explained that this program’s focus on industry impact and return on investment makes it especially valuable. The requirement to demonstrate how each research project benefits producers ensures that funding delivers measurable outcomes across the cattle sector.
“So some of those projects part other projects that continue on that it focuses on applied research and I hope that never changes because that’s really the difference between that and some of the other programs that we have that focus more on discovery both are needed I think there is a tremendous need for discovery research or research that may look more of mechanistic concepts I still do quite a bit of that but the beauty of this is it has to have a direct impact on the industry.”
By emphasizing applied research, the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board is helping bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical innovation—ensuring that Florida cattle producers have access to new knowledge, technologies, and tools that directly improve herd health, productivity, and profitability.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.