ABOUT M & B DAIRY
For four generations, the McClellan family has raised dairy cattle, grown hay and produced high- quality milk Florida. Today, Dale and his son, Leon, own and operate M & B Dairy in Citrus County.
The McClellan family recognized years ago the opportunity to transform their family’s dairy into a sustainable operation with minimal waste. By implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), they have been able to accomplish their goals of managing water and nutrient use as well as protecting local water quality of nearby springs and rivers.
Water recycling is one BMP that plays an extensive role in their operation. The free-stall barns are flushed three times a day with reuse water. The water washes waste into a collection ditch at the lower end of each barn and then carries it to a 3.2 million-gallon, concrete-lined holding pond for treatment. As the water is filtered to remove excessive nutrients and solids it is then used for irrigating hay fields. By recycling the wastewater, the dairy draws only a fraction of its allotted amount of fresh water, while maintaining a nutrient-balanced system.
Other BMPs, such as soil moisture sensors, have been installed to help manage when irrigation is needed and to prevent excessive water use. Buffers and ditches with planted vegetation are also maintained to prevent nutrient runoff.
M & B Dairy exemplifies sincere commitment to sustainability in agriculture and serves as a state-of-the-art model for environmentally- friendly dairy farms in Florida.
Florida Farm Bureau is proud to recognize, Dale and Leon McClellan, and family, with a 2019 CARES designation and sign for their dedication in being outstanding environmental stewards.
