If you live in Central Florida or in a rural area, you see cows all the time! The beef industry makes up a large part of Florida’s economy. Today, we’re taking a deeper dive into this thing we love. We’ll share some fun facts about Florida’s beef and dive into some interesting details you might not have heard before. Keep reading to learn all about it, and visit our blog for more information. 

  1. Cattle farming is big in Florida. Florida holds some of the top rankings in this category of farming. As of 2009, the state is home to 5 of the top 10 largest cow-calf operations. The largest single brood cow herd in the United States also calls Florida its home. Florida is considered a “cow-calf state” for beef, meaning the main cattle “crop” is calves born in Florida and transported to other states for beef processing. Florida ranchers own over one million cows, heifers and bulls, which create a calf crop of over 800,000 calves per year. 
  2. Cattle farming is great for Florida’s economy. For almost 500 years, cattle farming has played a major role in Florida’s economic progress. Local ranchers provide jobs for residents, as well as significantly contributing to the tax base. The state has a total breeding herd value that’s estimated to be over $847 million and an annual calf crop worth more than $400 million. Beef cattle sales and sale of breeding stock generate a total economic impact of $900 million annually. 
  1. Cattle farming can help Florida’s environment. Without the beautiful land in Florida, cattle farming wouldn’t be able to exist. Ranchers are very conscious of their work and are careful to be good stewards of the environment. It’s clear they are succeeding in this endeavor, as almost half of Florida’s agricultural land is under the care of cattle ranchers. These open, green spaces help wildlife and native plants to thrive, along with helping to recharge Florida’s underground water supplies. To learn about how Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch is contributing to the environmental impact, we invite you to take one of our AgriTours.

Visit our website to learn more about the history of our ranch and how you can support local beef farmers.