Optimization of Best Management Practices for Beef Cattle Ranching in the Lake Okeechobee Basin
by J.C. Capece and K.L. Campbell

ONE-PAGE ABSTRACT

Lead Organization:
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS)

CONTACT PERSON:
Dr. Kenneth L. Campbell
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
107 Frazier Rogers Hall, University of Florida
P.O. Box 110570
Gainesville, FL 32611-0570
Tel: 352-392-8534, Fax: 352-392-4092
Email: klc@agen.ufl.edu

Cooperating Organizations:
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
Archbold Biological Station, MacArthur Agroecology Research Center (MAERC)
Florida Cattlemen's Association (FCA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Project Location:
Site located within the Lake Okeechobee SWIM boundaries.
HUC Number 03090201

The project demonstration pastures are at the Archbold Biological Station's MacArthur Agroecology Research Center (MAERC) on Buck Island Ranch near Lake Placid, Florida (map at http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc/map&events/map1.gif).

Results of this project will find direct and immediate application in the following FDEP 319(h) Priority Water Bodies where cattle ranching on south Florida flatwoods and wetlands soils is a significant land use:

SFWMD identifies the MAERC stocking rate demonstration project as a high priority in its efforts to reduce phosphorus loading as part of the Lake Okeechobee SWIM plan. The MAERC project is the only comprehensive effort designed to develop cattle ranching BMPs and implement associated education programs for the cattle industry.

The above listed south Florida watersheds (Florida DEP 319(h) Priority Water Bodies) each has cattle ranching as a major land use in all or a portion of its basin. Collectively these watersheds constitute the majority of lands in south central Florida from south of the Bradenton-Merritt Island line down to the Ft. Myers – West Palm Beach line. Any efforts to improve nonpoint source nutrient runoff in this region will have to address BMPs for cattle ranching.

Some of the priority TMDL basins programs have implemented tributary monitoring programs to document the nutrient and other non-point source pollutant loads derived from predominantly agricultural lands. Subsequent TMDL plans in these areas will require BMPs and education programs specifically targeted at cattle ranching. This project will deliver tools and programs meeting that specific need.

ESTIMATED POLLUTANT LOAD REDUCTION:

The Lake Okeechobee SWIM plan calls for reductions of an additional 100 tons per year in total phosphorus load from nonpoint sources beyond the load reductions already achieved in the basin. Cattle pastures will be targeted for much of this reduction since ranching is the major land use of the basin.

Results of the current cattle stocking rate project funded by DEP and others have documented large differences in phosphorus loads from the two pasture types (summer improved pastures and winter range). The winter pastures runoff loads are 100% lower than loads from the summer pastures. During the latter part of the 1998 wet season (July-November) the improved summer pastures discharged approximately 0.44 pounds of phosphorus per acre and the winter range areas discharged effectively no phosphorus during this period.

These differences in water quality results correlate to differences in nutrient test results from the top 5 cm of the pasture soils. The winter pasture soils show a 10% DPS (degree of phosphorus saturation) while the summer pastures show a 20% DPS. These DPS levels combined with the runoff water quality results point to a threshold point between 10% and 20% at which these soils release significant phosphorus into runoff. This finding is highly significant and will be reported in the project deliverables and associated journal manuscripts. The impact of this finding has application in efforts to reduce non-point source pollutant loads from other agricultural and non-agricultural land uses. The emerging evidence of a flatwoods soils soil nutrient – water quality relationship may serve as the basis for development of innovative BMP strategies involving the soils-specific targeting of BMP programs.

It is premature to estimate the specific load reductions that can be realized by stocking rate BMP implementation throughout the Lake Okeechobee watershed and the other affected watersheds. While loads from each pasture within the summer and winter arrays have been tabulated (see project web site at http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc/stocking/loading.html), these results do not as yet correlate to the stocking rate treatments being demonstrated on each pasture. This is not surprising since stocking rates treatments were implemented in November, 1998. With the onset of the dry season, no runoff has been observed at the sites since treatment implementation. All current data reflect the equilibration period prior to treatment implementation. Even with the onset of recent rains and runoff (in June, 1999) treatment effects are not expected to be visible in the short term.

The expectation of a delayed treatment effect follows from analysis of data provided by water quality and soil sampling conducted during the project equilibration period. The dramatic differences in soil P content and runoff P content between the winter and summer pastures suggest considerable storage effects of phosphorus in the pastures as a result of prior grazing and fertilization practices. It is likely to be another year before treatment effects are visible and an additional two years before reasonable confidence can be assigned to observed differences.

An eventual soil and water quality effect is expected to be observed in the pastures given the already apparent effect on the animal performance. Grazing density is having an observable effect on the cattle herds (weight, body condition, etc.). Therefore waste production effects must be accompanying these animal weight observations. This would be expected to be eventually reflected in soil and water quality measurements once the damping effects of system storage diminish over time.

Project Objectives:

A complete project description, including deliverables, databases, and current task tracking is provided on the MAERC web site provided on the proposal diskette or at http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc .

The initial DEP 319(h) grant supporting components of this project expires in February, 2000. All deliverables associated with this initial grant will be provided to DEP prior to the expiration of the contract. However, the time lag associated with soil-water responses to cattle stocking rate treatments dictates that this project should be continued for two additional years in order to yield results sufficiently conclusive to support subsequent regional BMP implementation.

The expansion of the project proposes:

1. two additional years of tracking, databases, documentation, and analysis of BMP effectiveness under the current stocking rate treatments.

1. surface water flow rate and volume measurements
2. surface water quality sampling and analyses
3. soil nutrient sampling and analyses
4. cattle performance measures

1. two years of ground water measurements (water levels and quality).
2. additional public and rancher education programs and products on cattle BMPs.
3. production of design products for modification of water quality measurement systems to accommodate transition to phases 2 & 3 of the BMP development program.

Lake Okeechobee is considered the "liquid heart" of the interconnected Kissimmee River/Lake Okeechobee/Everglades ecosystem. Its littoral zone, covering almost one-fourth of the lake’s surface area, provides important fish and wildlife habitat, especially for wading birds and other waterfowl. In addition to being a valuable component of South Florida’s ecosystems, this large (1,732 km²), shallow (mean depth, 2.7 m) lake is an important economic resource. The lake is home to a valuable recreational fishery, provides direct water supply to 30,000 residents adjacent to the lake, and is an indirect water source to South Florida’s agricultural and urban users. The lake is completely surrounded by a levee for flood control purposes, and all of its surface water inflows (except one) and outflows are regulated by water control structures.

Lake Okeechobee has been experiencing eutrophication from agricultural non-point source runoff, principally from dairy and beef cattle operations in the watershed north of the lake. The lake’s total phosphorus concentrations doubled from approximately 50 ppb in the early 1970s to about 100 ppb by the early 1980s. In response, Lake Okeechobee experienced increasing frequencies and intensities of blue-green algae blooms, culminating with a series of massive blooms in the late 1980s. In response to intense public pressure, considerable resources have been expended in research, and in the development and implementation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) at dairies.

In 1987, Florida passed the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act, that designated priority water bodies for which detailed management plans were to be written. Lake Okeechobee was the first water body for which a SWIM Plan was developed, and the plan included a phosphorus load reduction target to be achieved by 1992. Despite reductions in phosphorus loads from the watershed, the SWIM-mandated target has not been met, and the in-lake total phosphorus concentrations have not begun to decline in response (although they appear to have stabilized).

The excellent cooperation of the dairy industry in implementing agricultural BMPs, combined with a dairy buy-out program in which approximately 14,000 dairy cows were relocated outside of the Lake Okeechobee drainage basin, have resulted in substantial reductions of phosphorus runoff from dairies. A consequence of this reduction is that beef cattle pastures now may be the most important source of phosphorus to the lake. Although animal densities and runoff phosphorus concentrations associated with beef cattle pastures are relatively low, the vast acreage (approximately 470,000 acres) of this land use makes them a major contributor of phosphorus. In order to achieve the phosphorus load target and to hasten the lake’s recovery, it is necessary to find ways to reduce phosphorus in runoff from beef cattle pastures. This optimization project seeks to do so proactively, not through the regulatory framework, but through a collaborative program that seeks and includes input from the stakeholder community. A guiding principal is to protect and enhance Lake Okeechobee, while minimizing negative economic impacts on the agricultural industry.

Project Scope

This expansion of the optimization project for two additional years is designed to achieve the above objectives, cited by SFWMD as integral to the Lake Okeechobee SWIM mandate. The optimization project infrastructure consists of 16 field-scale BMP demonstration pastures that are realistic in size, yet are fenced and ditched separately from each other, and are instrumented, so that all surface water runoff can be captured and analyzed. These pastures are located at MAERC’s Buck Island Ranch, a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch located north of Lake Okeechobee. Eight 50-acre BMP demonstration pastures were constructed on summer pasture land (improved pastures typically planted in bahiagrass and occasionally fertilized to support high stocking rates), and eight 80-acre BMP demonstration pastures were constructed on winter pasture land (native range land typically not fertilized or planted, and that supports low stocking rates). Construction and instrumentation of the BMP demonstration pastures was fully completed in July of 1998.

All phases of the BMP program, anticipated to take ten years to complete, are designed to continually enhance BMP recommendations through optimization projects on the BMP demonstration pastures, and through the continual enhancement of the Decision Support System. Three primary management practices will be the subject of projects in three consecutive phases of the program:

Regular communication of optimization project results will occur at semi-annual meetings of the Project Team and the Advisory Committee established through the Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, it is recognized that a direct linkage to the beef cattle ranching community is needed to communicate interim and final results. Communication of interim results will allow changes in project design to achieve optimum results, and will enable the ranching community to have regular input into the project. This direct communication linkage will center on regular presentations of results at the annual meeting of the FCA (especially to their Environmental Committee), and at quarterly FCA meetings.

Technical Approach

Implementation of dairy BMPs within the Lake Okeechobee watershed resulted in considerable improvements of water quality leaving dairy farms in runoff. The success of these BMPs was in spite of the intrinsically low phosphorus retention capacity of the sandy soils (Spodosols) typically found north of Lake Okeechobee. The development of these BMPs began with the federal Rural Clean Water Program in the early 1980s, and continued with additional funding from state and private sources through the 1980s and early 1990s. Florida’s technology-based Dairy Rule, implemented in 1989, requires these BMPs, although it does not set a numerical concentration standard or target. The SFWMD’s Works of the District Rule, however, establishes concentration standards that are designed to reduce phosphorus loads to the lake by approximately 40%.

Potential BMPs for beef cattle pastures may be different from dairy BMPs, based on lower number of animals per unit land area in beef pastures than in dairy pastures. There have been no other BMP optimization programs that have focused specifically on beef cattle pastures; thus, very little data are available concerning the potential of beef cattle BMPs. However, based on success of the dairy BMP program, there are several innovative beef cattle BMPs that show promise for making significant reductions in nutrient loads. These beef cattle BMPs can be considered in three general categories: 1) stocking rates, 2) pasture fertilization rates and timing, and 3) grazing rotation schemes. This three-phase project using the field-scale BMP demonstration pastures will optimize each of these management schemes considering both nutrient load reductions and the effects on ranch economics.

A unique aspect of this optimization project that increases its chances for success is that the design was developed over a one-year period by the Advisory Committee established under the multi-organization Memorandum of Understanding. This committee approach ensured that a wide variety of expertise and disciplines were brought to bear on the design. In particular, cattle ranchers, extension agents, range and forage specialists, and water quality experts worked together to ensure that the design: addresses the most promising candidate BMPs; incorporates the most relevant variables; is statistically sound; includes an appropriate range of management conditions; and most importantly, is realistic from the standpoint of standard cattle operations in Florida. The optimization project approach is based on a sound design, but with optimization variables and design carefully based on real-world cattle operation conditions. This approach will ensure the relevance and applicability of the optimization project results.

Stocking Rate BMP Demonstration

The BMP optimization project is demonstrating three cattle stocking rates (plus a "no grazing" control) on eight pastures as illustrated in Table 1. Stocking rate treatments on the summer pastures are 0, 1.4, 2.5, and 3.3 acres per cow/calf unit. For winter pastures (typically with lower stocking rates), the treatments are 0, 2.3, 4.0, and 5.3 acres per cow/calf unit. Each study animal has been assigned to a stocking rate at the beginning of the study and will remain at this same stocking rate for the life of the project. Grazing animals will be rotated between the same summer pastures and winter range pastures. If an animal is grazing in a high stocking rate pasture in the summer, it will graze in a high stocking rate pasture during the winter.

The sites for the two optimization pasture arrays (summer and winter) are at Buck Island Ranch. One array (winter) is located on a wetter range area containing a mixture of native grasses, along with some bahiagrass. The range is used for winter grazing by cows immediately after calving and during breeding. The other array (summer) is on well-drained and improved pasture with bahiagrass, that is used for summertime (wet season) grazing of cow/calf pairs. Neither the summer nor the winter pastures receive phosphorus fertilization.

The two arrays are similar in design and instrumentation. The 500-acre summer array consists of eight, 50-acre pastures (map available on the web site at http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc/stocking/summer.gif ). The winter range array consists of a 700-acre area south of Harney Pond Canal in the south-central part of the ranch. Within this array, eight 80-acre pastures were constructed (map available on the web site at http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc/stocking/winter.gif ). The winter range pastures are 30 acres larger than the summer pastures because cattle are kept on winter range at lower densities than on summer pastures. The 80-acre pastures also allow the number of cows in a grazing herd to be kept at a level that provides greater statistical power when evaluating animal characteristics.

Table 1. Stocking Rate Project Design.
 

*1 Unit=1 cow with calf

Surface Water Measurements

Flumes for collection of all surface water runoff from each pasture were constructed at the downstream end of the pastures. The pastures are hydrologically isolated from each other by the construction of ditches and berms along their margins, and livestock are isolated within each pasture by fencing. Trapezoidal flumes collect all surface drainage leaving each pasture. This type of flume is hydrologically unobtrusive and does not significantly alter water table levels or surface runoff. Peak capacity for the flumes is seven cubic feet per second; a design capacity based on prior research conducted on the site by UF-IFAS. Digital float stage encoders measure water levels in the upstream and downstream stilling wells of each flume. These stage measurements are converted to flow values by the datalogger which in turn records data and activates automatic water samplers based upon instantaneous flow conditions. In addition, automated meteorological stations are located within each pasture array.

Ground Water Measurements

Ground water measurements will be a new addition to the optimization project. Installation of well stations (2 per pasture for a total of 32) is scheduled for May, 2000 through funding by SFWMD. The wells are needed to provide both water table depth data and shallow ground water quality data. Water table depth data are essential in developing the water budget components of the Decision Support System for the project. Furthermore, given the vast number of electronic instruments and sensors in operation on the project (over 100), water table data for a pasture allow missing runoff data to be estimated with reasonable accuracy. The second purpose of the shallow wells is the measurement of ground water quality. Correlations between shallow soil phosphorus content and runoff water phosphorus content have already been documented as part of the current project. Introduction of ground water wells as part of a new DEP-funded project will allow exploration of correlations between these other measures and ground water quality.

Each well station will consist of two wells: (1) an 8-inch diameter well, 12-ft deep, screened over the bottom 9 feet of its length and (2) a 2-inch diameter well, 3-ft deep, screened over the bottom 1.5 feet of its length. The purpose of the deeper well is to allow continuous measurement of water table depth while both the shallow and deeper wells can be used for collection of ground water quality samples.

Water Quality Investigations

A comprehensive water quality monitoring plan will continue to monitor the effectiveness of each stocking rate scenario. Each flume is equipped with an automatic water sampler. Programmable data loggers trigger the samplers based on flow volume and hydrograph geometry. Periodic grab samples are taken during flow events by an on-site technician. These samples are analyzed to assess and compare water quality characteristics between grab samples and automatically collected samples. Flow data from the flumes are combined with chemical analyses results to determine runoff nutrient loads from the pastures. In addition, soils, ground water, and standing water will be sampled periodically within the pastures to determine if nutrients are being accumulated or depleted within the pastures.

Chemical analyses of water samples are being conducted by a DEP-certified SFWMD contract lab (Tennessee Valley Authority Environmental Laboratory in Chattanooga, TN). Water sample collection and in-situ parameter measurements will be supervised by Dr. John Capece under a DEP-certified CompQAP.

Livestock Management

The 140 breeding females needed for the optimization project were chosen randomly from the ranch’s 500 breeding females. After the pool of females was chosen, they were divided into the six small herds needed for placement into each pasture (except the control pastures). Each female was marked with a number tagging system allowing that individual to be followed throughout the duration of the experiment. Females are weighed in September, March, and June. Calves are marked in March when they are worked.

Females are placed in the winter pasture array during October or November, and they calve between November and March. Bulls are placed in the pastures from February until June. The typical range of the bull-to-cow ratio is from 1:15 to 1:20. Animals are moved to the summer pastures between April and June. Each test herd is maintained and tracked as a unit when moving between pasture arrays. Calves are weighed in March, June, and August, and sold at the end of August. In September, females are checked for pregnancy. Open females are culled from the test herd and replaced with a pregnant cow randomly chosen from the ranch herd. All breeding females receive the same health care as the other herds at the ranch.

Pasture Management

The test herds are kept in the winter pasture array from November until May or June, and in the summer pasture array from June until November. Animals are excluded from the winter pastures from June to November to allow a standing crop of hay to develop. Cows are placed in the summer array during wintertime, at stocking rates less than the normal summer rate. In keeping with real-world pasture management, both summer and winter pasture arrays are being burned every two years, and the summer array is fertilized with nitrogen (at the rate of 50 lbs per acre).

Specific Output/Deliverables:

Task #1: Project Work Plan, Project QAPP

A project orientation meeting will be held within one month of the grant award. At this time, the project team will discuss an overview of the project’s objectives, project plans and methods, proposed project schedule, decision points, and deliverables. Following this meeting, the team will prepare a project work plan that describes the optimization project in detail, based on discussions at the project orientation meeting. The project work plan will include specific project and task objectives, and deliverables associated with each task. Once revised (if needed) and approved by the project team, the project work plan will guide the continued implementation of the optimization project.

Deliverables: 1) three hard copies and one electronic copy of the draft project work plan; 2) three hard copies and one electronic copy of the final project work plan, incorporating revisions agreed upon by the project team (and based on outside review comments, if applicable).

Task #2: Project Management Web Site

Implementation of the initial two-year DEP 319(h) grant (1998-2000) has demonstrated the critical importance of integrated, detailed project management. The hydrologic and water quality components of the BMP project currently require 5 full time technicians, one full-time Ph.D. research engineer, and several part-time Ph.D. scientists and engineers. In addition, the monitoring system requires the simultaneous operation of over 100 electronic sensors and controllers under adverse hydraulic conditions (high backwater, low gradient conditions). In dealing with this challenge, the project’s Internet web site has played an essential role in improving project coordination among all participants and in managing the large number of instruments and software. Initially begun in 1997 as an information dissemination vehicle for project documents (QAPP, SOPs, deliverables, etc.), use of the web site has been expanding since January, 1999 to become the primary management tool. Continued expansion of this management strategy will yield increased efficiency in the conduct of this project and improved communications of results to cooperators and clients statewide and nationally.

Deliverables: a comprehensive Internet web site containing all relevant current and previous information related to the project including DEP deliverables, public information/presentations, pending tasks, instruments/software documentation, databases, results summaries, and site photos. The web site (http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc) will be updated on at least a weekly basis throughout the duration of the project.

Task #3: Ground Water Well Installation and Instrumentation

The addition of ground water wells is scheduled for May, 2000 by SFWMD contract drillers. These wells will be designed to accommodate both water level recording and water quality sampling. Each pasture will receive two well stations with each station consisting of two wells: a shallow 3-ft well and a deeper 12-ft well. Sensors and dataloggers will be connected to one well per pasture (16 total) for continuous water table monitoring.

Deliverables: a well installation report describing well locations, characteristics, instrumentation, and monitoring/sampling protocols.

Task #4: Soil & Water Quality Assessment During Stocking Treatments

Pasture construction, including ditching and fencing, was completed by the end of 1997. Water quantity and water quality instrument installation was completed in June, 1998. The equilibration period was expected to take as long as one year as the soil and water chemistry equilibrated back to steady-state conditions following construction-related soil disturbance. Implementation of the cattle stocking rate treatments began in November, 1998.

Soil samples for chemical analyses will be collected quarterly and analyzed for the standard suite of water quality parameters by UF-IFAS laboratories. This information will be compared to a detailed pasture soil survey that was conducted by the NRCS through a collaborative study (funded by NRCS). Water samples will be collected during runoff events and analyzed for physical properties (DO, temp, EC, and pH) and chemical properties (TP, OPO4, TKN, NOx, and NH4) by the SFWMD contract laboratory. As described above, grab samples will be obtained periodically from standing water sites within each pasture. Meteorological data will be collected continuously to develop rainfall/discharge relationships for each pasture array, and to develop a long-term database needed for all phases of the project.

Deliverables: 1) extension publication describing variation of soil and water quality conditions within and between pastures, and possible relationships to BMP development; 2) electronic database containing all data (these and all subsequently described databases will be accessible through Internet and the World Wide Web, or upon request from the Principal Investigators).

Task #5: Test Herd Animal Data Collection

One hundred forty breeding females were selected for the optimization project during the pasture equilibration period. These females were randomly assigned to the individual pastures, and tagging and initial animal health data were collected during this time period. Data on animal health parameters are necessary for subsequent economic analyses.

Deliverables: electronic database containing all relevant animal identifications and health data.

Task #6: Stocking Rate Optimization Project

In November, 1998 the breeding females were placed into the appropriate pasture arrays, and the optimization project began. The pastures are being managed as previously described to provide a range of animal management that falls within or close to commonly accepted and utilized beef cattle practice standards in Florida. These practices, and the optimization project data collected, will be relevant to all beef cattle management in Florida, particularly on low topography landscapes having relatively low phosphorus retention capacities.

At the conclusion of one year of the optimization project, all data will be analyzed and published, both in extension and scientific formats. This analysis will provide information about interim results that can be disseminated through the public workshop and other distribution channels while the project continues.

Deliverables: extension publication describing the effects of various beef cattle stocking rates on pasture runoff water quality, including specific recommendations of BMPs based on these data; manuscript on same topic ready for submission to peer-reviewed agricultural or soil science journal; electronic database containing all data.

Task #7: Beef Cattle BMP Public Workshop and Web-based Presentations

A public workshop will be held to convey the results of the optimization project to the beef cattle ranching community, agency and governmental personnel, and any other interested parties. This workshop will consist of presenting the results of the project that were published in the extension publication described previously, and describing specific BMPs that have the potential to improve water quality in beef cattle pasture runoff. The workshop will include a panel discussion to ensure feedback from attendees. This feedback will be considered in the design of future projects, and will increase the chances for project acceptance by the affected stakeholders, and the chances for long-term project relevance and success.

The workshop will be held as an independent event, located to maximize participation by the beef cattle ranching community, or held in conjunction with the annual FCA meeting. The optimum timing and location of the workshop will be determined collectively by the FCA, SFWMD, UF-IFAS, and Archbold. Extension programs associated with this project are described in detail on the project web site at

http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc/stocking/index.html#animalscience.

Deliverable: public workshop, including an extension report summarizing the workshop results and feedback. Presentations developed as part of this workshop will be available for viewing and download on the project web site.

Task #8: Phase 2 & 3 Water Quality Measurement System Design

Transition of the Phase 1 project (stocking rate BMP) to Phase 2 (fertilization practices) and Phase 3 (rotational grazing) will require modification of the pasture geometry and water quality instrumentation infrastructure. Implementation of rotational grazing will also affect the measurement and sampling strategies. Changes in technology and experience gained during the stocking rate phase may also dictate replacement of components of the measurement systems.

Deliverable: Design report describing modifications required to the pastures and to the water flow and quality measurement systems for implementation of Phase 2 and Phase 3 BMP projects.

Task #9: Decision Support System

Application of newly-developed BMPs will be dependent on the ability of planners to evaluate both the potential nutrient load reduction benefits and the potential economic costs to the cattle ranchers. A decision support system has been created to provide this evaluation capability for regional water managers and cattle ranchers. This software system, the Beef Ranch Decision Support System (BRADSS), requires additional modification to complete incorporation of the ranch economics components and the BMP options evaluated in this project. Testing of the software package will be conducted using the data sets generated by the BMP optimization project. As part of this task additional GIS coverages will also be created to properly represent the hydrologic, soils, and vegetation systems that compose the MAERC BMP pastures. Initially BRADSS will be applied to the MAERC system to both calibrate and verify the model for subsequent application on other ranches.

Deliverables: Decision Support System software executable code and report. One manuscript on this topic ready for submission to peer-reviewed agricultural or engineering journal.

Task #10: Regional BMP Application

Once the Beef Ranch Decision Support System is modified to incorporate the economics and BMP components, the system will be used to evaluate the impacts of application of various BMP scenarios proposed and tested in this project on selected individual ranches within the region. This task will require obtaining or preparing GIS coverages for land use, soils, drainage and other pertinent land attributes for ranches where BRADSS is to be applied.

Deliverable: Regional BMP application report documenting the application of BRADSS to selected ranches within the Lake Okeechobee Basin under BMP scenarios developed as part of this optimization project.

Task #11: Final Report

Deliverable: Final report documenting all accomplishments/deliverables and summarizing the findings/experiences of the project, including implementation schedules for Phases 2 and 3 (fertilization and rotational grazing) of the BMP optimization program at MAERC. A video and slides presentation will accompany the final report. The video component will be provided in VHS as well as video CD format. The video CD presentation will also be discretized into 30-second topic sound/video bites and incorporated in the project web site using the AVI and MPEG presentation formats.

PROJECT TEAM
 

Project Member	Affiliation	Responsibility
Dr. Kenneth L. Campbell	UF-IFAS Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept.	Project Leader, P.I.
Dr. Donald A. Graetz	UF-IFAS Soil and Water Science Department	Soil Scientist, Co-P.I.
Dr. Michael D. Fanning	UF-IFAS Animal Science Department	Animal Scientist, cooperator
Dr. Kenneth M. Portier	UF-IFAS Statistics Department	Statistician, cooperator
Dr. Alan D. Steinman	SFWMD Ecosystem Restoration Department	Supervising Biologist, cooperator
Dr. Patrick J. Bohlen	ABS-MAERC	Research Scientist, cooperator
Mr. Edgar Stokes	Florida Cattlemen’s Association	Liaison to ranchers, cooperator
Mr. Sid Brantly	U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service	Technical Assistance, cooperator
Dr. John C. Capece	Southern Datastream, Inc.	Research Engineer, contractor

PROJECT WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS:

Watershed Size (in acres): 1,200,000
Land Uses within the Watershed (acres/percentage):
Agricultural 74% Urban 1%
Construction 0 Mining 0
Silvicultural 10% Other 15% wetlands

Project Milestones:
 

TASK NO.	DELIVERABLE	DUE DATE*
1	Draft Project Work Plan AND PROJECT QAPP	2 Weeks
1	Final Project Work Plan AND PROJECT QAPP	6 Weeks
2	Comprehensive Internet web site containing all relevant current and previous information for the project including DEP deliverables, public information & presentations, pending tasks, instruments & software documentation, databases, results summaries, and site photos. The web site (http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~maerc) will be updated weekly.	10 Weeks
3	Ground water well installation report describing well locations, characteristics, instrumentation, and monitoring/sampling protocols	20 Weeks
4	Extension publication describing variation of soil and water quality conditions within and between pastures, and possible relationships to BMP development; Electronic database containing all data	52 Weeks
5	Electronic database containing all relevant animal identifications and health data	52 Weeks
6	Extension publication describing the effects of various beef cattle stocking rates on pasture runoff water quality, including specific recommendations of BMPs based on these data;  Electronic database containing all data.	100 Weeks
7	Public workshop, including an extension report summarizing the workshop results and feedback.	101 Weeks
8	Design report describing modifications required to the pastures and to the water flow and quality measurement systems for implementation of Phase 2 and Phase 3 BMP projects.	102 Weeks
9	Decision support system software executable code and report. One manuscript on this topic ready for submission to peer-reviewed agricultural or engineering journal.	52 Weeks
10	Regional BMP application report documenting the application of BRADSS to selected ranches within the Lake Okeechobee Basin under BMP scenarios developed as part of this optimization project.	103 Weeks
11	Final report documenting all accomplishments and deliverables and summarizing the findings/experiences of the project, including implementation schedules for Phases 2 and 3 (fertilization and rotational grazing) of the BMP optimization program at MAERC. A video and slides presentation will accompany the final report.	104 Weeks

* Weeks after Project Initiation

Project Budget: $1,218,000

Grant Funding Requested: $ 250,000

Table 2 provides a breakdown of estimated costs for this project, as well as the cost share to be provided by cooperating agencies. The non-federal cost-share for this project is $968,000 or approximately 80% of the total 2-year project cost.

Item	319(h) $ Grant	IFAS $ Match	SFWMD $ Match	MAERC $ Match
Staff	$68	$80	$48	$13
Travel	$7	--	$2	$0
Equipment	$3	--	$50	$10
Supplies	$2	--	--	$5
Contractual	$150 (1)	--	--	--
BMP Implementation	--	$10	$15	$31
Monitoring	--	--	$540 (2)	$67
Public Education	$20	--	--	$20
Other (specify)	--	$77 (3)	--	--
TOTAL = $1,218,000	$250	$167	$655	$146

1. IFAS will contract with Southern Datastream (Dr. John Capece) for the work to be conducted under Tasks 1,2,3,4,6,8, & 11.
2. Water quality lab analyses, field monitoring, and well installation.
3. Includes facilities and administrative costs for UF-IFAS to provide support to the project. These include equipment, equipment maintenance, supplies, travel support, secretarial support, etc.

Budget by Task:

Other Funding (Not Match – by Agency):

OTHER INFORMATION:

If this is a multi-year project, have you requested sufficient funds to complete the project (assuming funds requested herein are provided)?

X YES ____ NO IF NO, EXPLAIN:

The Lead Organization, as listed on the first page of this form, agrees to comply with all requirements specified in the guidance package and in federal grant regulations. Checking no or excepted will cause the project to have a lower ranking than similar projects by lead organizations that agree to the requirements:

X YES ____ NO ____ YES, except as noted below – list exceptions: