See Florida cattle Best Management Practices that are advised by FDACS to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.

The Florida Department of Ag and Consumer Services (FDACS) has a program to encourage Florida ranchers to utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff from nitrogen and phosphorus. These fertilizer components wreak havoc in waterways. Reducing fertilizer loss is a win-win: it keeps excess nutrients out of waterways and saves on having to buy more fertilizers to replace those that have been lost. See the BMPs recommended from a 2019 UF/IFAS Extension pdf on Florida Cattle Best Management Practices.

Florida Cattle Best Management Practices

FDACS defines BMPs, by law, as “a means, a practice or combination of practices determined by the coordinating agencies, based on research, field testing and expert review, to be the most effective and practicable on-location means, including economic and technological considerations, for improving water quality in agricultural and urban discharges.” The UF/IFAS Extension pdf on Florida Cattle Best Management Practices shared those BMPs that Florida ranchers can use to reduce nutrient runoff. They include:

  • “Maintaining adequate vegetation cover by adjusting stocking rates and using prescribed grazing systems. Well-established and managed forage stands effectively reduce soil erosion, absorb nutrients, and provide nutrition for livestock.”
  • “Carefully planning watering and feeding sites.”
  • “Carefully planning temporary holding areas.”
  • “Using structural techniques to abate pollution.”
  • “Minimizing offsite water discharges.”
  • “Minimizing the potential for erosion.”

These BMPs for Florida cattle ranchers can help to keep excess nutrients out of waterways and reduce a rancher’s input costs.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.