Florida Cattle Producers Ensure Research-Focused Funding Through Cattle Enhancement Board
Florida cattle producers have taken a deliberate approach to ensure that funding generated for the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board (FCEB) is directed almost entirely toward research, rather than being absorbed by administrative costs. This structure has helped build trust with lawmakers, researchers, and producers while maximizing the impact of every dollar invested.
We spoke with Jim Handley, former Executive Vice President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, who helped shape the board’s framework. Handley emphasized that minimizing administrative overhead was a core principle from the beginning. He explained, “That board doesn’t incur any administrative cost.”
Handley said the goal was to create a model that was transparent and efficient, particularly in the eyes of elected officials who approved the funding. “We wanted to make it as pure as possible and make sure that the elected officials that were agreeing to fund this understood we were going to be very, very judicious with our expenses,” he said. Instead of using board funds for operations, administrative responsibilities are covered by partner organizations.
According to Handley, “the Cattle Enhancement Board would be supplemented from the administrative side by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation.” This structure ensures that research dollars are not diverted. As he put it, “there is none eaten up, if you will, in expenses or propping up other organizations. It’s the absolute reverse that the administrative costs are incurred by the foundation and the Cattlemen’s Association.”
This approach allows board leaders to clearly demonstrate accountability. “That way we could stand before those elected officials and say here’s where every one of your dollars are spent,” Handley said. Transparency is further reinforced through close coordination with academic partners.
The board works closely with the University of Florida Finance Office, with formal agreements guiding every research project. Handley explained, “there’s contracts drawn up between the researchers and the Cattle Enhancement Board, certainly in the Florida Beef Council and the Cattle Enhancement Board, and it details the budget, how it’s going to be spent, what timeline, when the mid-year report and the final report is due.”
Oversight does include one required administrative cost. “We’re required, but we would always conduct an independent audit,” Handley noted, adding, “That would be the single largest expense from an administrative standpoint.” Beyond that audit, virtually all administrative support is absorbed by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and its foundation.
This funding model ensures Florida cattle producers see a direct return on investment through research that strengthens the state’s beef industry, improves production efficiency, and supports long-term sustainability.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.
This is a segment from the Grazing The Facts Podcast where we take a look within the Florida Cattle Industry. To listen to the full interview, search your favorite podcast platform for Grazing The Facts.