On Thursday we will be going out to do some fieldwork at the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center - a full-scale working cattle ranch. The questionnaire below is a background probe to assess your existing knowledge of cattle ranching in Florida. This is not a test - we have no expectations that you should be familiar with these facts - this is simply to help us make effective instructional decisions. Please circle what you believe to be the [one] correct answer and return the sheet without your name on it. We will give you the overall results and your responses will affect which material we present in our introduction to the field exercise at the ranch.

1.   A typical Florida cattle ranch is:

1. a cow-calf operation selling calves at 8-12 months of age for the feedlot market
2. a stocker operation, mostly stocking yearling steers and heifers to fatten up on grass
3. a cow-calf operation selling calves at 18 months of age to the meat packing industry
4. a natural beef operation - focusing only non-hormone-implanted stock
5. largely pedigree herds for the Artificial Insemination industry

2.   According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the state of Florida, 37.5 million acres in size, has how many acres in ranchlands and pastures:

1. 1 - 2 million acres
2. 3 - 4 million acres
3. 5 - 7 million acres
4. 8 - 12 million acres
5. 13 - 15 million acres

3.   What characterizes unimproved tropical humid pastures or rangeland in Florida

1. pastures that have been ditched and diked but not fenced
2. pastures that are exclusively native grasses
3. pastures that are greater than 500 acres in size
4. pastures that are a mix of native and introduced forage grasses and largely unditched
5. pastures comprised of native grasses and an undisturbed hydrology

4.   A rancher burns native grass pastures and rangeland on average

1. once a year, in the early winter, before winter freezes
2. every 2 years as late spring burns, to avoid late freezes
3. every 2-3 years, typically Jan-Feb to catch late winter rain fronts
4. every 3-5 years, typically in March, to avoid freezes and promote spring growth
5. on a 5-10 year rotation, to control shrub growth but limit damage to valuable bunch grasses

5.   An average high cattle-stocking density in Florida on improved Bahia grass pastures would be

1. 1 unit (cow) per 0.5 acre
2. 1 unit per 1.5 acre
3. 1 unit (cow) per 3 acre
4. 1 unit per 5 acres
5. 1 unit per 10 acres

6.   A typical rancher's annual profit margin over a 10 year period on an individual calf for sale would be:

1. $15:00
2. $35:00
3. $75:00
4. $125:00
5. $250:00

7.   Ranchers usually apply fertilizer

1. as a balanced NPK fertilizer on both Bahia grass and native grass pastures
2. just N on Bahia grass pastures in March
3. a balanced N and P fertilizer only on Bahia grass
4. A spring application of N on Bahia pastures and early summer application of N on native grasses
5. A balanced annual application on all pastures of N and lime (to control acidity)

8.   The number of hands required to run a 10,000 acre, 2,800 head cattle ranch is

1. Manager and three hands, and 2-3 regular (daily) day riders
2. Manager, four hands and 2-3 regular (daily) day riders
3. Manager, 2 hands and 3-5 day riders
4. Manager, six hands and 3-5 day riders
5. Manager, six hands and 2-3 day riders

9.   The primary nutritional inputs for cattle in Florida, in addition to grass, are:

1. minerals and salts only
2. molasses
3. a balanced carbohydrate/protein supplement
4. minerals, salts and molasses or a balanced carbohydrate/protein supplement
5. minerals, salts and pressed cake

10.   Florida cattle often have a high proportion of Brahma (or eastern type cattle) in their breeds so that they can:

1. put on more weight in humid conditions
2. consistently conceive annually in humid conditions
3. tolerate heat and parasites in hot climates
4. produce grade A USA choice beef under humid conditions
5. produce a leaner, less fat beef in humid conditions.