SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

Attendance (live): Krishona Martinson, University of Minnesota Paul Siciliano, North Carolina University Amy Burk, University Maryland Carey Williams, Rutgers University Mike Westendorf, Rutgers University Robert Causey, University of Maine Colt Knight, University of Maine Alex Garcia, University of Maine Attendance (web): Laura Kenny, Pennsylvania State University Aubrey Jaqueth, University of Maryland Jennifer Weinert, Rutgers University Carissa Wickens, University of Florida Donna Foulk, Pennsylvania State University Cassie Uricchio, University of Massachusetts

Copy of minutes attached.

NE-1441-2018-Meeting-Minutes.docx

Accomplishments

Outputs/Activities

1.  Use of warm grasses or other alternative forages for grazing.  Extending the Equine grazing season is a challenge on farms.  The ability to utilize available forage supplemented with other non-concentrate feeds can result in lowered expenses, improved horse health, and can foster better environmental quality. Several studies were completed at participating institutions with the use of warm season grasses.  Some of the grasses studied were Bermudagrass at the University of Maryland, Teff grass at the University of Minnesota, and forage Crabgrass at Rutgers University.  The forage Crabgrass is interesting because crabgrass is often considered a weed, use as a forage could make use its well- known summer growth characteristics as a warm-season grass.  Rutgers University also plans to study the digestive microbiome in horses grazed in various management and forage types.  This may yield results to better management the grazing horse and maintain health.  The University of Florida is planning to graze horses on growing peanuts.  All these non-cool-season grasses show promise for extending the grazing season and providing usable forage in the warm summer months.

2.  Restricted grazing research is being conducted mostly at North Carolina State University. Some of the most important finds in their research are that restricting the grazing time accelerates intake, 3 hrs. and 6 hours of grazing has a significantly increased rate from 24 hours of grazing.  Restricted grazing also influences fecal pH and volatile fatty acids.  Fecal VFAs also are significantly different with night turnout (Valerate also, comes from lactate).

  • They also asked if these changes will affect the microbiome? They found changes in diversity related to hay vs. pasture diets, and changes when grazing time was restricted on pasture.   This microbiome work will be coordinated with work at Rutgers University and other participating institutions. 
  • Restricted grazing can help to meet the project management goal of extending grazing opportunities on horse farms while promoting horse, pasture, and environmental health.

3.  Parasite research is being conducted at a number of the institutions. Pennsylvania State and the University of Massachusetts are studying parasite resistance.  Pennsylvania State University is also conducting work with tick-borne diseases such as Anaplasmosis.  The University of Minnesota is comparing various approaches to fly control.  Finally, the University of Maine has initiated a project to study antibiotic resistance in stored compost piles.  They plan to determine optimum composting management to ensure antibiotic destruction.  They also hope to consider the presence of barbiturates in composting horses.

4.  Environmental Stewardship Courses and Outreach meetings: Many participating states have environmental stewardship courses.  These courses focus on Best Management Practice Implementation on Farms.  Some of these focus on certificates or credits, model farms, self-guided tours, pasture walks.  Nearly all participating states have similar programs for producer education.

Impacts

  1. Number 1: Reducing Parasite Resistance on Equine Operations Using a Comprehensive, Whole Farm Approach – Pennsylvania State University Equine Team - Indiscriminate use of dewormers has caused an alarming increase in resistant equine parasites. Cases of resistant small strongyle parasites are being reported worldwide. Many horse owners contribute to the development of resistant parasites by deworming horses at frequent intervals, year-round, and may be using products that are totally ineffective on their farm. Adoption of new deworming practices can decrease the proliferation of resistant parasites and maintain the effectiveness of the products that are available. The Penn State Equine Team received a no-cost extension for the $146,000 Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant which was used to develop a program designed to increase farm managers’ knowledge about parasite resistance, reduce the use of de-wormers, and document parasite burdens and anthelmintic efficacy on Pennsylvania horse farms. Present initiatives include: • Providing workshops to teach farm managers to conduct and use fecal egg count data to reduce the use of dewormers on the farm. • Providing information about non-chemical farm management strategies. • Disseminating information about products which are no longer viable on most PA farms. • Providing webinars on parasite resistance. Developing an on-line course on parasite resistance utilizing a whole farm approach.
  2. Number 2: Manure Management Outreach Project – Rutgers University 1. Video Series – ongoing impact statement: A six video series about nutrient management on livestock farms including information about storing, disposal, and processing of animal manures. Also includes information about soil health and pasture management. As of 1/4/18 over 800 video disks have been distributed to the public and over 159,000 views (37,000 in calendar year 2018) on the website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/animal-waste-anagement/videos.php. 2. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service project: Rutgers University has developed a program for USDA-NRCS Technical Staff and other interested individuals (New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Districts, etc.) to teach participants about the importance of managing diets to minimize animal waste nutrient excretion of horse farms. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agriculture sources can affect water quality. These nutrients and others are required for plant and animal growth, but too much in agricultural runoff can result in environmental and health concerns. If nutrients are overfed, or if feeding is mis-managed, this will result in more nutrients for disposal. Proper animal feeding and management practices can ensure that feed nutrients are not wasted, not overfed, and feed efficiency is optimized on the farm. This has included four producer meetings and one meeting on June 11th 2018 dedicated to NRCS Technical staff. This meeting provided guidelines for equine and livestock producers to help livestock producers reduce N and P losses by monitoring and/or changing feeding and management practices. The New Jersey State USDA-NRCS has subsequently supported a practice for diet management on equine farms. 3. Another output from this project is a comprehensive equine management book distributed among the state’s equine farmers.

Publications

 

Journal Articles

  1. Bowman, M. A., J. L. Moore, and P. D. Siciliano. 2017. Effect of restricting time allowed for grazing on fecal microbial fermentation parameters. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52:82. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2017.03.110.
  2. DeBoer, M. L., M. R. Hathaway, K. J. Kuhle, P. S. D. Weber, A. S. Reiter, C. C. Sheaffer, M. S. Wells, and K. L. Martinson. 2018. Glucose and Insulin Response of Horses Grazing Alfalfa, Perennial Cool-Season Grass, and Teff Across Seasons. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 68:33–38. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2018.04.008.
  3. DeBoer, M. L., C. C. Sheaffer, A. M. Grev, D. N. Catalano, M. S. Wells, M. R. Hathaway, and K. L. Martinson. 2017. Yield, Nutritive Value, and Preference of Annual Warm-Season Grasses Grazed by Horses. Agron. J. 109:2136. doi:10.2134/agronj2017.02.0099.
  4. Grev, A. M., C. C. Sheaffer, M. L. DeBoer, D. N. Catalano, and K. L. Martinson. 2017. Preference, Yield, and Forage Nutritive Value of Annual Grasses under Horse Grazing. Agron. J. 109:1561. doi:10.2134/agronj2016.11.0684.
  5. Kenny, L. B. 2016. The effects of rotational and continuous grazing on horses, pasture condition, and soil properties. Rutgers University - Graduate School - New Brunswick. Available from: https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/49246/
  6. Bott, R. C., E. A. Greene, K. Koch, K. L. Martinson, P. D. Siciliano, C. A. Williams,  N. L. Trottier, A. Burk, and A. Swinker. 2013. Production and environmental implications of equine grazing. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 33:1031–1043.  doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2013.05.004
  7. Bott, R. C., E. A. Greene, N. L. Trottier, C. A. Williams, M. L. Westendorf, A. M. Swinker, S. L. Mastellar, and K. L. Martinson. 2016. Environmental implications of nitrogen output on horse operations: A review. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 45:98-106.  doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.08.019
  8. DeBoer, M.L., M.R. Hathaway, K.J. Kuhle, P.S.D. Weber, A.S. Reiter, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells and K.L. Martinson.  2018. Glucose and insulin response of horses grazing alfalfa, perennial cool-season grass, and teff across seasons.  J. Equine Vet. Sci. 68: 33-38.
  9. DeBoer, M.L., C.C. Sheaffer, A.M Grev, D.N Catalano, M.S. Wells, M.R. Hathaway, and K.L. Martinson.  2017. Yield, nutritive value and preference of annul warm-season grasses grazed by horses. Agronomy J.  109: 2,136-2,148.
  10. Grev, A.M., C.C. Sheaffer, M.L. DeBoer, D.N. Catalano, and K.L. Martinson.  2017. Preference, yield, and forage nutritive value of annual grasses under horse grazing.  Agronomy J. 109: 1,561-1,572.
  11. Kenny, L. B., D. Ward, M. Robson, and C. A. Williams. 2018.  Technical note: Comparing four techniques for estimating desired grass species composition in horse pastures.  J. Anim. Sci. 96:2219-2225. doi: 10.1093/jas/sky111
  12. Martinson, K.L., P.D. Siciliano, C.C. Sheaffer, B.J. McIntosh, A.M. Swinker, and  C.A. Williams. 2017. A review of equine grazing research methodologies. J. Equine Vet. Sci.  51: 92-104.
  13. Martinson, K.L., M.S. Wells, and C.C. Sheaffer.  2016. Horse preference, forage yield and species persistence of twelve perennial cool-season grass mixtures under horse grazing.  J. of Equine Vet. Sci. 36: 19-25.
  14. Nazarenko, Y., M. L. Westendorf, C. A. Williams, and G. Mainelis.  2018. The effects of bedding type in stalls and activity of horses on stall air quality. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 67:91-98. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.03.014
  15. Splan, R., M. Spindler, K. Anderson, C. Skelly, M. Westendorf, C. Williams, L. Kenny, and R.C. Bott-Knutson.  2017. Opportunities to Address the Transdisciplinary and Global Challenges of Climate Change in An Equine Science Context.  NACTA Journal. March 2018, Vol 62(1).
  16. Trottier, N. L., R. C. Bott, A. Woodward, E. A. Greene, C. A. Williams, M. L. Westendorf, A. M. Swinker, S. L. Mastellar, and K. L. Martinson. 2016. Gastrointestinal nitrogen metabolism of equids and impact on protein requirement. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 45:78-86.  doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.002
  17. Weinert, J. R. and C. A. Williams. 2018. Recovery of pasture forage production following winter rest in continuous and rotational horse grazing systems. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 70:32-37.  doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.017

Book Chapters

  1. Kenny, L. B., A. O. Burk, and C. A. Williams.  2018. Managing Equine Grazing for Pasture Productivity. In: Equine Pasture Management, edited by P. Sharpe. Elsevier Science, St. Louis, MO (in press). pp. 1-17. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-812919-7.00009-3
  2. Kenny, L. B., M. Westendorf, and C. A. Williams.  2018. Managing Manure, Erosion, and Water Quality in and Around Horse Pastures. In: Equine Pasture Management, edited by P. Sharpe. Elsevier Science, St. Louis, MO (in press). pp. 1-21. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-812919-7.00014-7

Proceedings

  1. Catalano, D. N., C. C. Sheaffer, A. M. Grev, N. J. Ehlke, E. Mousel, and K. L. Martinson. 2018.  Yield, Preferencec, and Forage Nutritive Value of Winterhardy Perennial Ryegrass under Animal Grazing. In proceedings: 2018 University of Minnesota Animal Science Showcase. Pg. 14. St. Paul, MN.
  2. Catalano, D. N., C. C. Sheaffer, A. M. Grev, N. J. Ehlke, E. Mousel, and K. L. Martinson. 2018. Yield, Preference, and Forage Nutritive Value of Winterhardy Perennial Ryegrass under Animal Grazing. In Proceedings: 2018 American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference. Louisville, KY.
  3. Catalano, D.N., C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, A.M. Grev, M.L. DeBoer, and K.L. Martinson. 2016. Forage nutritive value, yield, and preference of legumes under horse grazing in the establishment year. Proc.,University of Minnesota Excellence in Equine Research Showcase, St. Paul, MN. Pg. 11.
  4. DeBoer, M.L., M.R. Hathaway, K.J. Kuhle, P.S.D. Weber, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells and K.L. Martinson. 2017.  Forage quality and blood metabolites of adult horses grazing alfalfa, teff, and cool-season perennial grasses.  In Proceedings: 78th Minnesota Nutrition Conference.  Pg. 260. Mankato, MN.
  5. Catalano, D.N., C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, A.M. Grev, M.L. DeBoer, and K.L. Martinson. 2016. Forage nutritive value, yield, and preference of legumes of horse grazing in the establishment year. Proc., 2016 North American Alfalfa Improvement Conf., Madison, WI. Available online at: https://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2016meeting/Devan%20Catalano%20Abstract.pdf
  6. DeBoer, M.L., C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, M.R. Hathaway, A.M. Grev, D.N. Catalano, and K.L. Martinson. 2017. Nitrate-nitrogen content of annual warm-season forages grazed by horses. In Proceedings: 2017 American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Meeting. Roanoke, VA. Available online at http://www.afgc.org/proceedings/2017/DeBoer_Schultz_Michelle%20AFGCInterpretive.pdf.
  7. Grev, A.M., C.C. Sheaffer, D.N. Catalano, M.L. Schultz, and K.L. Martinson. 2016. Yield, preference, and forage nutritive value of small grains under horse grazing. Proc., University of Minnesota Excellence in Equine Research Showcase,  St. Paul, MN. Pg. 13.
  8. Reiter, A.S, M.L. DeBoer, M.R. Hathaway, K.J. Kuhle, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, K.L. Martinson. 2018. Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations of Horses Grazing Alfalfa, Cool-season Perennial grasses, and Teff. In Proceedings: American Forage and Grassland Council 2018 Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.
  9. Schultz, M.L., C.C. Sheaffer, D.N. Catalano, A.M. Grev, and K.L. Martinson. 2016. Forage nutritive value, yield, and preference of warm season grasses grazed by horse in the upper Midwest. IProc., University of Minnesota Excellence in Equine Research Showcase, St. Paul, MN. Pg. 10.
  10. Williams, C. A. 2017. Nutrient cycling in horse pastures. Waste to Worth Conf. Proc. Raleigh, NC. Online: http://articles.extension.org/pages/74361/nutrient-cycling-in-horse-pastures.

Abstracts

  1. DeBoer, M.L., K.L. Martinson, K.J. Kuhle, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, and M.R. Hathway. 2017.  Plasma amino acid concentrations of horses grazing alfalfa, cool-season perennial grasses, and teff.  J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 83.
  2. DeBoer, M.L., M.R. Hathaway, K.J. Kuhle, P.S.D. Weber, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, R.S. Mottet, and K.L. Martinson. 2017.  Glucose response of horses grazing alfalfa, cool-season perennial grasses and teff across seasons. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 79.
  3. Catalano, D.N., C.C. Sheaffer, A.M. Grev, N.J. Ehlke, and K.L. Martinson. 2017. Yield, preference, and forage nutritive value of winter hardy perennial ryegrass under equine grazing. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 102.
  4. Le, A., L. B. Kenny, A. O. Burk, and C. A. Williams. 2016.  Impact of grazing system on forage carbohydrates and horse metabolism.  Mid-Atlantic Nutr. Conf. Proc. 14 (https://ansc.umd.edu/extension/mid-atlantic-nutrition-conference/past-proceedings).
  5. Powlowski, C., J. Weinert, and C. A. Williams. 2018.  Impact of grazing system on forage carbohydrates and horse metabolism.  Mid-Atlantic Nutr. Conf. Proc. 16 (https://ansc.umd.edu/extension/mid-atlantic-nutrition-conference/past-proceedings).
  6. Reiter, A.S., M.L. DeBoer, K.J. Kuhle, C.C. Sheaffer, M.S. Wells, M.R. Hathaway, and K.L. Martinson. 2017.  Variation in nitrate concentration of alfalfa, perennial cool-seasonal grasses, and teff grazed by horses in the upper Midwest. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 45.
  7. Rizzo, E., A. O. Burk, and C. A. Williams.  2017. The effects of continuous vs. rotational grazing on forage soluble carbohydrate content and blood glucose and insulin concentration in horses.  Mid-Atlantic Nutr. Conf. Proc. 15 (https://ansc.umd.edu/extension/mid-atlantic-nutrition-conference/past-proceedings).
  8. Williams, C. A., L. B. Kenny, and A. O. Burk. 2017. Effects of grazing system and season on glucose and insulin dynamics of the grazing horse.  J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52:87. Abstract #108.

Extension Publications

  1. DeBoer, M., C. Sheaffer, and K. Martinson.  2017. Grazing horses on teff, alfalfa, and perennial ryegrass.  University of Minnesota Extension Factsheet.   
  2. Fojtik, A. and C. A. Williams. 2017. A Guide to More Productive and Nutrient Dense Horse Pastures. Rutgers Cooperative Extension. FS1271. New Brunswick, NJ. pp. 1-4.
  3. Grev, A., C. Sheaffer, and K. Martinson.  2017. Preference, yield, and forage nutritive value of annual grasses under horse grazing.  University of Minnesota Extension Factsheet.
  4. Martinson, K., C. Sheaffer, and M.S. Wells.  2016. Grass mixtures for Midwest horse pastures.  University of Minnesota Extension Factsheet.

YouTube Videos

  1. “When to Initiate Horse Grazing” 3,902 views to date (posted December 12, 2013).
  2. “Nutrient Cycling in Horse Pastures” Conference presentation at Waste to Worth Conference 2017, Raleigh, NC.  Posted May 5, 2017. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6uLaTe0s8M).

Online Certification Courses

  1. Pasture Establishment and Management.  2017 enrollment was 31.
  2. Composting Course. 2014-2018. Available online as a self-certification program for farmers in New Jersey and throughout the US for compost managers.  Rutgers Cooperative Extension. http://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=897.   
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