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Publication #SS-AGR-98

Florida Forage Handbook: Preface1

C. G. Chambliss and M. B. Adjei (editors)2

Both native range and planted forage crops are economically and environmentally important in Florida. The grassland resources in Florida are marketed through livestock--beef cattle use 85 percent and other grazing animals use 15 percent. The beef-cattle industry accounts for more than 300 million dollars of income yearly, and the dairy, horse, and small ruminant industries, which also rely on forages, are extremely important to the state's economy.

Environmentally, land covered with grass absorbs more water from rainfall, helping to replenish Florida's water supply. The grass sod acts as a filter for sediments and decreases water runoff and soil erosion. Organic matter accumulates in the soil under grasslands, increasing soil fertility and storing carbon that otherwise might contribute to climate change and global warming. Grasslands also provide habitat for wildlife and recreational areas.

This handbook was written for livestock producers, forage managers, professional workers in the livestock/forage industry, and anyone seeking information about forage crops that are grown in Florida. It does not cover every forage that could be grown in Florida or every forage-related topic, but an attempt has been made to cover those forages and topics that are important for Florida.

Fact Sheet SS-AGR-105 Managing South Florida Range for Cattle (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AG173) presents a summation of the principles and practices of native-range management. Native range contains many different kinds of grasses and forbs, and it is not within the scope of this publication to cover them all. The remaining Fact Sheets deal with planted forages. There are Fact Sheets on the UF-IFAS EDIS Website that deal with individual forage crops as well as ones on management topics such as fertilization and grazing management. Fact Sheets on individual forage crops contain some information on various management issues related to the particular forage crop being discussed, but the reader can also find additional information in the Fact Sheets that deal with specific management topics. For a complete list of Fact Sheets in the Florida Forage Handbook, see SS-AGR-97 Table of Contents (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag170).

Livestock producers/forage managers can use this book to improve the forage programs on their farms and ranches--and to make decisions about the management and utilization of Florida's forage resources.

For more information about resources from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, contact your local county Extension office or visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Footnotes

1.

This document is SS-AGR-98, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First Published June 2006. This publication is also a part of the Florida Forage Handbook, an electronic publication of the Agronomy Department. For more information you may contact M. B. Adjei (mba@ufl.edu). Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

C. G. Chambliss (deceased), associate professor, Agronomy Department; M. B. Adjei, associate professor, Agronomy Department, Range Cattle Research and Education Center--Ona, FL; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.