Audubon Ranch stresses decades of experience, chemical-use controls in bid for Lower Green Swamp grazing lease

Dennis Carlton Jr., partner at Audubon Ranch, told a Hillsborough County evaluation committee reviewing RFP 20669 that Audubon has operated the Lower Green Swamp cow-calf operation for 32 years and emphasized the firm’s stewardship experience.

"Audubon Ranch has had the privilege of operating the cow calf operation on the Lower Green Swamp property for 32 years now," Carlton said during the firm’s oral presentation, adding that the operation is often shown to agricultural organizations and visiting officials.

The presentation — part of the county’s oral interview phase for the Lower Green Swamp Cattle Grazing Lease procurement — outlined the ranch’s qualifications, technical approach and capacity to perform under the lease. Carlton said Audubon has invested in pasture maintenance, stating it had spent "over $505,000 in chemical and application in the last 5 years" to manage pastures on the preserve.

In describing their stewardship approach, Carlton said the ranch follows best management practices (BMPs) and consults outside technical guidance when needed. "We try to do a good job from, an environmental standpoint and stewardship by following the science... and, of course, the cattle grazing guidelines as well," he said.

Dennis Carlton Sr., who spoke during the Q&A, said timing and product-selection drive herbicide use: "It's important to know when, the time of year, the applications... the BMPs may not exactly tell you what, but they kinda tell you when." Carlton Sr. added the ranch treats leased properties "just like we do our own."

Committee members probed operational details. A committee member asked whether Audubon staff hold licenses to apply herbicide; Carlton replied that staff do not hold the spraying license and that certain applications are subcontracted. "RJ is here if you can answer any questions in regards to that," Carlton said.

RJ O'Brien, Audubon’s pesticide and herbicide contractor, said the only restricted-use product the team uses in some years is Dimlin, applied for armyworm outbreaks. "There's only one instance where we ever use a restricted product, and that is during armyworm season, where we use, Dimlin... it is a restricted use, but we very minimally use that," O'Brien said, adding he did not believe it was used last year.

On ownership, when asked who owns cattle on a referenced property (Stolen Saddle Ranch), Carlton said the cattle are owned by Carlton and Carlton Ranch, which shares common family ownership with Audubon Ranch though ownership percentages differ.

Carlton also told the committee that Audubon can provide financial documentation to demonstrate capacity to perform under the lease and said the firm’s legal counsel had addressed protesters’ questions, stating the county’s RFP evaluation process was "compliant with Florida law." The committee did not take a vote during the session and was scheduled to reconvene later that day for further discussion.

What happens next: The evaluation committee will meet again at 4:00 for continued discussion of the proposals; the county will post a recording of today’s presentation to the public procurement portal.

(Reporting note: Names, roles and affiliations are taken from the record of the oral presentation. Statements about chemical spending and use are claims made by Audubon Ranch and its contractor during the presentation.)