SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DECEMBER, 1978 THE ECONOMICS OF CARCASS BEEF PRODUCTION: AN APPRAISAL OF FLORIDA'S FEEDLOT POTENTIAL

The production of beef cattle has historically cass beef demand of almost 2 billion pounds (9, been an important component of the South- 10]. On the basis of current production, with east's ' agricultural economy. In 1977 the re- only 73,000 animals on feed of the 2.8 million gion had 24.6 million cattle and calves, ac- total cattle and calves in the state [3], less than counting for more than 28 percent of the total 30 percent of Florida's beef requirements could mature beef animals in the United States [3]. be met from within the state [4, p. 2]. Despite this large and active cattle industry, Because of this strong and growing demand, however, the region is substantially deficient the availability of feeder calves, and rising in carcass beef production. transportation costs associated with shipping Two basic reasons can be cited as responsible carcass beef into the region, many Southeast-for this situation. First, the Southeast has ern beef producers, including many in Florida, many areas of urban concentration contribut- have expressed a growing interest in finishing ing to a large population. Enormous amounts their own feeder calves. Because Florida most of carcass beef therefore are required to satisfy clearly demonstrates many of the carcass beef human consumption demands. Second, though problems and potentials of the region, a stud