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OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
AGRICULTURE
Since
the early 1900's, the area around Lake Okeechobee has been an important provider
of agricultural products. Okeechobee County is historically known for its
cattle ranches
but also is a thriving community of many diverse agribusiness interests. |
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Beef
Industry
Okeechobee
County is home to many of Florida's traditional cattle ranching families who
have proven to be both tough and adaptable. There are 65,000 head of beef
cattle in the county, and the industry hinges on the production of feeder
calves-animals sold when they are 6 to 10 months in age and weighing
400-600 pounds. Ranchers practice the customary cow calf method of
operation but have benefited from industry enhancements such as improved breeder
stock, superior grasses, better health practices, and an ever expanding
delivery system. The
Okeechobee Livestock Market was built in the 1930's by the local Cattlemen's
Association to meet the industry's need for a regional trading center. Now
locally owned & operated, the Okeechobee Livestock Market is the largest
volume market in Florida, selling around 150,000 head of cattle through the
auction ring annually.
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Okeechobee
County
Cattlemen's Association
Rodeo Events
In celebration of the rich heritage of the beef
cattle ranching industry in Okeechobee, the Okeechobee County
Cattlemen's Association presents two professional rodeo events a
year. These events take place the second weekend in March and Labor
Day weekend at the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Arena on Hwy. 441 N.
Cattle ranching is the oldest industry in Okeechobee County. The
Cattlemen's Association professional rodeo events have been a part of
celebrating and honoring beef cattle ranching in this community for well over
50 years. Over 150 families make up the membership of the
Okeechobee Cattlemen's Association and twice a year they take a
break from their ranch work and bring what many describe as the
"wildest rodeo east of the Mississippi". These family
oriented rodeo events include a complete line up of Mutton Bustin'
and Calf Scramble for kids, Special Guest Acts along with exciting
professional cowboys & cowgirls competing in Saddle Bronc,
Bareback, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Wild Horse
Races and the ever favorite Bull Riding.
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We are proud of our ranching and rodeo
tradition and hope your will join us to enjoy the
All American sport of Rodeo at the Okeechobee County Cattlemen's
Association Rodeo Arena.
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Dairy
The
rapid urbanization of South Florida's coastal region moved the dairy industry in
to Okeechobee County. Today it impacts the local economy by $100 million
dollars annually and is an important provider of jobs, both on the farm and in
support industries. Okeechobee
area dairies rank among the largest in the United States, with an average herd
size of over 1,000 cows. The 36,000 dairy cows in Okeechobee produce
61,000,000 gallons of milk annually, equal to 1/4 of the states
production. In 1987
the dairy rule forced many dairy farmers to relocate again or cease
operation. Those who stayed have spent over $30 million dollars to comply
with the legislation. Their newly designed or remodeled facilities have
environmentally sound waste management systems that can generate tons of top
soil for their urban neighbors. An industry in transition, diary farmers
continue to meet the challenge.
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Citrus
The
citrus industry has been a vital part of Okeechobee's agribusiness community for
any years. Today, land moving into citrus production is on the upswing as
part of a growing statewide trend brought on by the severe freeze of the 1980's
in central Florida. Currently there are 12,170 acres of citrus groves in
the county. Citrus
is part of the diversification of the area land from cattle and dairy into other
agribusiness interests. These interests include vegetable and sod farming,
ornamentals, and even exotic animal and alligator farming. |
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