Yields and quality have been high, while requiring lower inputs of fertilizer and irrigation than on other Florida lands. A potentially major roadblock to crop or livestock production on phosphatic clay has been the concern over possible health risks due to elevated radionuclide levels in foods. This roadblock appears to have been removed by the finding that although radionuclide concentrations in various crops may be slightly elevated, the actual radiation dose from consuming such foods creates a negligible increase in cancer risk. Direct consumption of grains or fruits or consumption of beef cattle fed with forage produced on phosphatic clay are especially safe. The concept of creating sloped planting beds to promote runoff of rainwater, combined with a cover crop in higher traffic areas, is still under investigation but appears promising for improving accessibility to the fields after a rain.
Economic analyses indicate alfalfa to be one of the crops with the greatest potential.
Alfalfa is normally grown in more temperate climates and has not been successful on sandy soils in subtropical Florida. As a consequence, large amounts of alfalfa are shipped into central Florida each year to meet the demand for high quality forage. However, the high fertility and high water supplying ability of phosphatic clay settling areas has created a situation conducive to high yields which could eventually meet the high demand for alfalfa. Perennial peanut is also a promising forage crop. An increased interest in biomass energy crops has accompanied the planning and construction of several power plants and cogeneration plants in Polk County.