Recent News for Pastures
Article
Understanding Carbohydrates in Equine Diets
February 04, 2011
When it comes to managing the carbohydrates in a horse's diet, knowing the basics of how horses digest food is half the battle. Laurie Lawrence, PhD, an equine nutritionist from the University of Kentucky's Department of Animal and Food Science who ... Read More
Article
Managing Pasture-Associated Laminitis
January 11, 2011
Laminitis is not a modern condition--it has been recognized for well over 2,000 years. The Greek philosopher Aristotle even referred to it around 350 B.C. as 'Barley Disease,' presumably because it was associated even then with excessive grain ... Read More
Article
Winter Farm Care Checklist
January 01, 2011
Experts share their time-tested steps for cold weather readiness around the barn.... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Bush Honeysuckle
December 12, 2010
Bush honeysuckle describes several species of woody honeysuckles found in the eastern half of the United States. Types of bush honeysuckles include Amur honeysuckle, Morrow's honeysuckle, and Tartarian honeysuckle.... Read More
Article
Australian Horse Deaths Under Investigation
December 05, 2010
According to a news story originally posted by British magazine Horse and Hound, the deaths of 40 horses--which occurred between March and June--residing on five different farms in Queensland, Australia, remain under investigation.... Read More
Article
Toxin Topic: Johnsongrass Poisoning in Horses
November 22, 2010
The drought that has affected many regions of Kentucky and the surrounding area this year has some horse owners worried about Johnsongrass poisoning. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a drought-tolerant noxious weed that can infiltrate pastures ...... Read More
Article
Winter Pasture Management
November 14, 2010
Horse pastures often are abused by the stress of winter, especially following a drought. ... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Curly Dock
October 15, 2010
Curly dock is a stout, deep-rooted simple perennial and generally stands two to four feet at maturity, depending on the site. This weed is found throughout the United States and grows well in alfalfa, disturbed sites, cultivated fields, ditches, and ... Read More
Article
Fall Pasture Improvements
October 12, 2010
Fall is a good time to take stock of the quality of horse pastures. The weeds that were most prevalent and uncontrolled during the summer will now be large and producing seeds. Horse pasture managers might not realize that troublesome weeds ... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Horsenettle
September 17, 2010
Horsenettle is distributed widely across most of the United States, especially in the eastern half and the western coastal states. This relatively low-growing perennial is easily recognized by its erect to spreading growth habit. The stems and leaves... Read More
Article
Pesticide Use on Farms May Be Affected By Federal Legislation
September 05, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Pesticide General Permit, with plans to implement the regulation in April, 2011. The proposed regulations would affect any applicators who apply pes... Read More
Article
Hay and Pasture Insurance Expands to all of New York in 2011
September 01, 2010
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced Wednesday that USDA Risk Management Agency is expanding crop insurance coverage statewide for hay and pasture in the 2011 growing season. Last year, USDA had a pilot program for h... Read More
Article
Farm Safety Tips
September 01, 2010
How do you create the safest possible environment for your horses? First, remember you get what you pay for. When you equip your farm or pay board for your horse's living arrangements, investing in farm safety procedures can save a lot of expense... Read More
Article
Multi-Species Grazing: Horses and Cows and Goats, Oh My!
September 01, 2010
A handful of horses graze in a pasture one week; a herd of goats mow down its bushes and weeds the next. This multi-species rotational grazing system has its advantages, but whether they outweigh the disadvantages will depend on your situation... Read More
Article
Overseeding Horse Pastures in Central Kentucky
August 20, 2010
Overseeding horse pastures is a pasture management practice that helps ensure good ground cover, quality grazing, and an aesthetically pleasing pasture in the coming year without major pasture renovations. Overseeding consists of pla... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Tall Ironweed
August 19, 2010
Tall ironweed is distributed widely across the eastern half of the United States and is found in low damp areas of pastures and roadsides. This tall, upright plant can approach 10 feet under optimum growing conditions but more commonly grows to about... Read More
Article
Study: MADD Likely Caused by Fungus on Maple Leaves
August 17, 2010
After investigating the deaths of 14 horses that had grazed on pastures near maple leaves, a Dutch research team suggested the fungus responsible for European tar spot that covers the maple leaves causes the deadly disease "MADD."... Read More
Article
Horse in New Jersey Rescued from Drainage Canal
August 13, 2010
How many people and pieces of equipment does it take to extricate a 1,400-pound Trakehner mare from a 4-foot-deep ditch? On Aug. 11 New Jersey residents discovered it could take three different fire departments, plus shovels, a backhoe, straps,... Read More
Article
A Sticky Situation: Getting Tar Off Your Horse
August 01, 2010
I painted some boards with tar rather than black paint. Of course my bay and white Pinto mare got some in her ... Read More
Article
University of Maryland Hosting Pasture Weed Educational Event
July 22, 2010
The University of Maryland's Equine Studies Program is hosting its third Pasture Walk at the Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration site on Aug. 12 from 6-8 p.m. EDT.... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Common Cocklebur
July 19, 2010
Common cocklebur is distributed widely across the United States and occurs in pastures and cultivated crops. Infestations in pastures are usually more of a problem during periods of drought or due to overgrazing and most frequently occur in field mar... Read More
Article
Benefits of Multi-Species Grazing Can be Maximized
July 05, 2010
Multi-species grazing has several benefits that favor both fields and animals, according to Jodie Pennington, PhD, small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension in Missouri. Multi-species grazing is the practice of using t... Read More
Article
Mediterranean Tall Fescue/Endophyte Combination Might Be Fatal to Horses
June 30, 2010
A new, potentially fatal syndrome in horses called equine fescue edema has been reported by Australian scientists in the Australian Veterinary Journal. The researchers noted that all affected horses in the study were grazing pastures sown with...... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Goosegrass
June 24, 2010
Goosegrass is a warm-season grass that germinates and emerges in spring and grows throughout the summer until the first killing frost. Goosegrass usually produces a prostrate rosette-like growth that is formed from flattened stems almost parall... Read More
Article
Weed of the Month: Buttercup
May 21, 2010
Buttercup is the common name for several Ranunculus species distributed across much of the United States. Smallflower buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus), bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris), and creeping buttercup... Read More
