How Green is Your Farm? (Swinker)
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Transcript of How Green is Your Farm? (Swinker)
My Horse University and eXtension’s HorseQuest welcome you to this live Webcast.
EnvironmentalHorse-KeepingHOW GREEN IS YOUR FARM?
Dr. Ann SwinkerExtension Horse Specialist
Helene McKernanPenn State University
Meet our presenter:Dr. Ann SwinkerExtension Horse Specialist
Penn State University
Helene McKernanPenn State University
Question facilitator:
Equine Industry• Equine are the fastest growing segment of the
livestock industry.
• The USDA-NRCS, DEP, EPA and State Conservation Districts are all concerned about non-point sources of pollution; and horse manure (nutrients).
• Depending on your state equine may be regulated by law.
Components of Environmental Stewardship on Equine Operations
• Water Quality• Manure/Odor Management• Mud/Dust Management• Balanced Rations• Pasture Management• Erosion Control• Pest Control• Total Farm Balance
Water Quality• Surface Water
Contamination Non-point Runoff
• Contaminate Ground Water
• We All Live Down Stream, And Water Flows Downstream
Mud & Sediment• Sediment and manure
nutrients can affect aquatic wildlife in streams & ponds.
• Leach into groundwater, contaminating well water you and horses drink.
• More rapidly chilled if standing in mud.
• Horses and people are at risk of slips and injuries on mud slick footing.
Violates Clean Streams Laws
Results
• An Average 1000 Pound Horse:9 tons of manure a year (50 pounds per day), add in bedding material or 730 cubic ft/horse/yr.
• Average fertilizer content in horse manure (feces): 8 lb N/ton, 9 lb P2O5/ton, 7 lb K2O/ton
• Average fertilizer content in horse manure (feces, urine, bedding):
12.9 lb N/ton, 7.8 lb P2O5/ton, 17 lb K2O/ton 12 lb N/ton, 5 lb P2O5/ton, 9 lb K2O/ton (book values)
Manure, Why Worry?• Environmental Contamination• Parasites• Mud• Insects• Skin & Hoof Disease• Wasted Space• Unsightliness• Odors--Dust• It is the Law
Keep Clean Water Clean• Install roof gutters, downspouts,
and underground outlets– Install roof gutters - on a
30’x30’ barn a 1” rainstorm produces 558 gallons of water.
– Gutter slope 1/16 inch for every 1 foot of gutter
– Move water away from livestock areas
Roof Runoff Control
Fence Livestock Out of Bodies of Water• Streams• Ponds• Waterways & other drainage areas
Fence off streams and ponds More of an issue for Livestock
Wash Racks and Washing Areas
Wash Racks- prevent erosion• Build on permeable footing that
lets water filter through. • Consider planting a “rain garden”
in the location the wash stalls or down spouts drain.
• Plants can help filter out the nutrients that are discharged in water run off.
• County extension office can help with the selecting of non-toxic
French Drains to Contain Water Runoff
Trees drink water and can reduce the amount of water around your horse facility.
A mature Douglas Fir can drink 100-250 gallons of water per day.
Evergreens keep using water in the winter.
Fence trees away from horses make sure they can’t reach them.
Pasturing horses is the most economical and easiest way to feed horses. Owners have several options for grazing horses.
Quality Pastures
Grazing Behavior of Horses
• VERY close grazers – pull and tear at grasses
• Selective (spot) grazers – graze the best & leave the rest
• Graze for long periods of the day (10-14 hours)
• Consume 2% of body weight/day
Types of Grazing Systems• Continuous Grazing
• Rotational Grazing
• Intensive Grazing
A Good Horse Pasture:
• Palatable forages – vegetative, few weeds• Dense sod/solid footing• Well drained• Clean fresh water at all times, shelter when
needed• Free of danger….poisonous plants, junk,
loose/barbed wire• Properly fenced
Stocking Rate• Number of animals per acre that allows you to
obtain the most out of the pasture without overgrazing.
• Rule of thumb = 1 horse/1 acre; but can vary with area and type of grazing.
• (range 0.5 to 35A)
Pasture Management
• Mow pastures- 4 - 5 inches.
• Harrow fields breaks up manure.
• Apply Fertilizer or manure according to soil test.
Soil Testing
• Most important tool in pasture management• Test every 3-4 years• $10.00 + shipping, Cooperative Extension• Recommendations for Nitrogen, Phosphorus,
Potassium, and Lime
Rotational Grazing Layout
1 432
5 6Sacrifice Paddock
Barn
Water
Ground Cover
Rotational Grazing
Limited Hourly Turn Out
Confined Animal Housing
• An attractive safe area
• Generates manure and bedding
• Requires more management
Sacrifice Area How Do You????
Constructing – A Hard Surface• Create a hard surface with
layers of stone aggregate topped with finer stone.
• Soft hoof friendly top layer.
• Surround your storage pad with vegetation to filter out run off.
Construction - Sacrifice Area
• Gravelly soil where possible, or create good drainage by filling the lot with a layer of stone aggregate topped with finer stone dust.
• Surround your sacrifice area with vegetation to filter out any organic matter and sediment that might run off.
Sacrifice Lots
Basic Management
• Cleaning stalls• Picking up manure in
paddocks, pens, and turnouts
• Break the parasite cycle
Manure Handling
• 53% Equine operations (7 to 99 horses) hauled manure off the farm soon after it was removed from the stalls *
• Left un-managed manure piles indefinitely.
*Penn State University Study 2009
Manure Storage• Select a high dry spot• Keep away from bodies of water – do not store
where water can run through the pile• Easily accessible• Confine the pile• Avoid any runoff• Vegetative Buffer
Storage Siting
• Manure storage areas
Actively Compost
Requires turning, moisture, oxygen, C:N
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Properly composting manure – Heats up to 145 degrees Fcan kill parasite eggs and weed seeds
“Chimney effect”
Note the pathways of airflow shown by the dry feedstock.
Optimal Ranges - Review
C:N Ratio - 20 to 30:1% Moisture - 50-65%Oxygen - 5-10%pH - 5.5-8.2 (acceptable)Particle size - 1/4 to 3 inchesTemperature -110 -160 o F
Aerobic composting & temperature• Active composting occurs in the temperature
range of 50oF to 160oF
• Pile temperature may increase above 140oF but this is too hot for most bacteria and decomposition will slow until temperature decreases again.
Remember, compost pile heat is the direct result of microbial metabolism!!!
Mortality Compost Management
Properly Composted Manure Can be Applied to Crop and Pasture Fields
• Calibrate your spreader-know how much manure is applied and keep records.
• Develop a Manure Management Plan.
Landscaping - Gardening
Riding Arena Footing
Penn State University Equine Nutrient and Sediment Management Field Survey
• Most of us are over feeding our horses.
Ration EvaluationHorse owners fed:161% of NRC for Crude Protein184% of NRC for Phosphorus(2007 National Research Council,
Equine Nutritional Requirements )
Maintenance level horse rations exceeded NRC’s.
Erosion Problems
Drainage Problems
Drainage in Outdoor Ring
Containment of Ring Materials
To the Horse Owner—What Seems Right Can Be Wrong• Lack of control in
turn-out areas• Erosion from roof
run-off• Improperly
constructed sacrifice lots
• Poorly maintained manure storage
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Management of Insects• Removal and proper management of manure
is a key to managing several livestock pests. • Free-standing water is a common aquatic
breeding site for the mosquito. • A combination of environmental, biological
and chemical control methods work best to manage insect pests.
• Plant ornamentals plants that attract insect-eating birds.
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Stable Fly Management• Manure Management• Vegetation management• Clean up spilled grain• Stable screening• Stable or provide shade to horses during peak fly
activity periods• Traps • Fly parasites – Wasps• Premise sprays, repellents & horse sprays
Odors
• Remember downwind neighbors• You might like the smell of manure but
your neighbors will not
Factors Affecting Odor Release and Dispersion
3. Source concentration
2. Area
1. Wind speed
1. Temperature2. Wind speed3. Topography
Dust
Small dust particles in the air can bother humans and animals and can be a nuisance when they settle.
Dust can also cause health conditions.
Summary - Nutrient Management• Each farm should have a plan for managing manure,
pastures and mud.• Formulate feed rations to meet the horses NRC
requirements.• Store manure in a dry, level, location free from storm-water
runoff. Actively compost manure and bedding.• Construct Sacrifice Areas to keep horses off pastures.• Manage storm-water to prevent manure contamination of
water and eliminate runoff.
Agency Information:• State Conservation districts website of the National Association of
Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org) click on State Directories.
• The Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ccpi/index.html.
• The NRCS Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) is a
voluntary conservation initiative • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ccpi/ccpi2010.html
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers fact sheets, management tips and other information on non-point source pollution at www.epa.gov/owow/nps.
Equine Environmental Stewardship and nutrient management leads to healthier horses, attractive farms,
friendlier neighbors, and control of water pollution.
Give us your feedback!
• You will receive a survey by email in 1-2 days. Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback on this webcast. It will help us to better serve you!
Upcoming Webcasts
College and HorsesJanuary 18, 20117 PM EST
Biosecurity on the Horse FarmFebruary 22, 20117PM EST
Gastric UlcersMarch 22, 20117PM EDT
Thank you for attending this live web presentation!
For more information about My Horse University please visit us at:
www.myhorseuniversity.com
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