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

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