Large beef and dairy farming in areas of high recharge is problematic, responsible for over 70% of the nitrogen loading in the Santa Fe /Ichetucknee River Basin. This coming week the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is resuming its attempt to grapple with the complexities of politics and protecting our water quality. On the one hand there is a clear legislative directive stating that nutrient reductions need to occur within a specific timeline. On the other hand we have large industrial farm operators, subsidized to farm on porous sand that produces only if huge amounts of nutrients and water are applied. Sand does not retain moisture or nutrients, so the application rate is constant and it all washes into our rivers, springs and aquifer. The numbers are clear: the bulk of the nutrients that are polluting our waterways come from farms that raise beef and dairy. What is being done to turn this around? Why are we subsidizing agriculture that is poisoning our water?
We all like to eat so farms are the holy grail of our existence. IFAS is constantly telling us ‘Right Plant for the Right Place.’ This rule also applies to farming cattle. There is a right place to grow beef and dairy, our sandy soils don’t have the protective layer of clay to protect our aquifer. These unconfined sands are also where our Outstanding Springs reside. We also need to specify that small farms are NOT THE PROBLEM. The greatest impact is LARGE dairy and beef operators.
Here is a list of upcoming BMAPS meeting. Attend, speak out, ask questions, record answers.
Read Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman’ post HERE
Read Florida Springs Council’s BMAPS updates.
Lets make sure the FL DEP stays on track and finds an efficient way to reduce these large beef and dairy operations . I hope to see you Monday Oct. 28, 2024, at 2 p.m. EDT
Union County – UF/IFAS Extension Office 15120 SW 84th St. Lake Butler, FL 32054
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
