consumption by this sector accounts for only 3% of U.S. energy consumption and 

 less than S% of Florida's energy consumption. In 1978, petroleum made up 75% 

 of all energy used in agriculture. Use of petroleum for energy on Florida's 

 farms increased 35.7% in 1974-78. The energy expended on production, food 

 processing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and home storage and 

 processing is only about 12% of the total U.S. energy use (Smerdon 1975). 



The challenge of the next decade will be for farmers to increase produc- 

 tion as the population increases and to apply even more energy efficient farm- 

 ing methods. Research is underway on solar methods for drying agricultural 

 products, and studies are being conducted on new methods of irrigation which 

 will reduce both water and energy use and even help protect crops from the 

 cold. Such methods would lower the use of outdoor heaters that are now pro- 

 tecting citrus and vegetable crops from winter freezes in Florida. The devel- 

 opment of new disease resistant and high yield crops will help lessen energy 

 use. These methods and many others are now being studied to help conserve 

 energy. 



Labor 



In Florida, labor in the past has been unskilled, relatively cheap, and 

 seasonal. As the trend in increasing farm size and mechanization continues, 

 unemployment patterns also will change. Increased skills and training of farm 

 laborers are now needed for the operation, and maintenance of farm machinery 

 and new cultivation practices (Covey 1975). The need for this skilled labor 

 will bring farmers into direct competition with industry, thereby forcing 

 farmers to raise wages to retain or attract new workers. In addition to rais- 

 ing wages, farmers must increase productivity if they are to maintain profits. 



Air Pollution 



Agricultural damage from air pollution is difficult to assess. The major 

 effluents responsible for damage to crops and livestock are sulfur dioxide, 

 ozone, and fluorides. In Northwest Florida, the major source of these pollu- 

 tants is industrial and utility plants. 



Sulfur dioxide from smoke stacks and other methods of emission entering 

 the atmosphere are absorbed by plants through the respiratory process and if 

 in excess it may become toxic to plants (Seneca and Tausig 1979). While in 

 the upper atmosphere, sulfur dioxide combines with moisture and falls to earth 

 as acid rain. Acid rain bleaches the soil, rendering many of its minerals 

 inert and incapable of supplying needed nutrients to plants. The result is 

 decreased productivity and increased cost to the farmer. Acid rain also 

 damages leaves and roots. A comprehensive study of acid rain and its impact 

 on the environment was begun in 1978 by the Florida Department of Environ- 

 mental Regulation (DER). 



In the 1950' s and the 1960's, fluorides and ozone caused considerable 

 damage to crops and beef cattle in South Florida where substantial amounts of 

 fluoride were released from phosphate mining. Fluorides and ozone enter the 

 leaf system and interfere with photosynthesis and plant food production. When 

 plants laden with fluorides are eaten by livestock, the animals contract 

 fluorosis. Fluorosis symptoms are loss of weight, reduction of growth, lack 

 of mobility, and sometimes death. Ozone damages the leaves and plant cells 



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