Ocala, Marion County Florida Agriculture

Marion County is known not only for its horses, but other livestock as well. It is one of Florida's main cattle-producing areas as well as hog, sheep, and chicken production.

Marion County is known not only for its horses, but other livestock as well. It is one of Florida's main cattle-producing areas as well as hog, sheep, and chicken production. A wide variety of crops thrive on more than a million acres of county farmland. Farms produce blueberries, cantaloupe, peanuts, watermelons, wheat, corn, soybeans, and hay. Honey production is a thriving business. Nearly 2,000 county residents are employed in agriculture. Marion County youngsters have the opportunity to become involved in 4-H Clubs, and the Future Farmers of America annual livestock shows and sales.

• Equine Industry
• Cattle Industry
• Note from Commisioner Bronson
• Farming and Timber Industries

A note from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner, Charles H. Bronson

Dear Friends: .....The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services touches the lives of Floridians in countless ways -- large and small, dramatic and subtle -- every day. .....

We work with farmers to ensure a safe and abundant food supply and market our agricultural commodities to the world. We operate the state's consumer hotline and help consumers resolve problems ranging from auto repair fraud to telemarketing complaints. We inspect scales and gasoline pumps to ensure that consumers get their money's worth.

We manage close to a million acres of public lands and protect both rural and suburban property from the threat of wildfire.

.....And, as we perform these vital functions, we continually look for ways to introduce innovations, increase our effectiveness and stretch our limited resources to accomplish more with less. .....

We take our work seriously and we're proud of what this Department has accomplished.

Sincerely,
Charles H. Bronson
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE

Cattle

Marion County produces feeder calves which are shipped to feedlots in the west and southwest. Most calves go to Texas, followed by Oklahoma. The strategy in this industry is to keep brood cows that consistently produce calves. This requires intensive management on the part of ranchers to determine percentage of live births, rate of gain, etc. On average, 24,000 calves are produced annually in Marion County. The county also has one of the largest chapters in the Florida Cattlemen's Association. The Ocala Bull Sale is the oldest graded bull sale in the United States (since 1946).

Farming and Timber Industries

Miscellaneous vegetable production (beans, peas, greens, etc.)*

*Value significant for Marion County but specific county data unavailable. These would rank somewhere higher in order than 9,10 and 11 but without a dollar figure it is impossible to determine where.

Sources
¹ Equine Market Research Service
² Florida Agricultural Facts, 1998 Edition, Florida Department of Agriculture
³ Nursery Economic Impact Survey, 1996, Marion County Extension Service
⁴ 1997-98 Citrus Summary, Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA

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