This webcast will discuss environmental regulations and how to comply with them, including strategies for natural pest control, manure management, mud reduction and maintaining a healthy pasture.

1. My Horse University and eXtension’sHorseQuestwelcome you to this live Webcast. EnvironmentalHorse-KeepingHOW GREEN IS YOUR FARM? Dr. Ann Swinker Extension Horse Specialist Helene McKernan Penn State University

2. Meet our presenter: Dr. Ann Swinker Extension Horse Specialist Penn State University Question facilitator: Helene McKernan Penn State University

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Water Quality Surface Water Contamination Non-point Runoff Contaminate Ground Water We All Live Down Stream, And Water Flows Downstream

6. 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

7. 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)

8. Manure, Why Worry? Environmental Contamination Parasites Mud Insects Skin & Hoof Disease Wasted Space Unsightliness Odors--Dust It is the Law

9. 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

10. Roof Runoff Control

11. Fence Livestock Out of Bodies of Water Streams Ponds Waterways & other drainage areas

12. Fence off streams and ponds More of an issue for Livestock

13. Wash Racks and Washing Areas

15. Consider planting a “rain garden” in the location the wash stalls or down spouts drain.

16. Plants can help filter out the nutrients that are discharged in water run off.

18. 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.

19. Quality Pastures Pasturing horses is the most economical and easiest way to feed horses. Owners have several options for grazing horses.

20. 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

22. Rotational Grazing

24. Dense sod/solid footing

25. Well drained

26. Clean fresh water at all times, shelter when needed

27. Free of danger….poisonous plants, junk, loose/barbed wire

29. Pasture Management Mow pastures- 4 - 5 inches. Harrow fields breaks up manure. Apply Fertilizer or manure according to soil test.

30. 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

31. Water Barn 4 3 2 1 6 5 Sacrifice Paddock Rotational Grazing Layout

32. Ground Cover

33. Rotational Grazing

34. Limited Hourly Turn Out

36. Confined Animal Housing An attractive safe area Generates manure and bedding Requires more management

37. Sacrifice Area How Do You????

39. Soft hoof friendly top layer.

42. Basic Management Cleaning stalls Picking up manure in paddocks, pens, and turnouts Break the parasite cycle

43. 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

45. Keep away from bodies of water – do not store where water can run through the pile

46. Easily accessible

47. Confine the pile

48. Avoid any runoff

50. Manure storage areas

51. Actively Compost Requires turning, moisture, oxygen, C:N

52. 40 Properly composting manure – Heats up to 145 degrees F can kill parasite eggs and weed seeds

53. “Chimney effect” Note the pathways of airflow shown by the dry feedstock.

54. 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 inches Temperature -110 -160 o F

56. 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!!!

57. Mortality Compost Management

58. 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.

59. Landscaping - Gardening

60. Riding Arena Footing

61. Penn State University Equine Nutrient and Sediment Management Field Survey Most of us are over feeding our horses.

62. Ration Evaluation Horse owners fed: 161% of NRC for Crude Protein 184% of NRC for Phosphorus (2007 National Research Council, Equine Nutritional Requirements ) Maintenance level horse rations exceeded NRC’s.

63. Erosion Problems

64. Drainage Problems

65. Drainage in Outdoor Ring

66. Containment of Ring Materials

67. 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

68. 55 Insect Management

69. 56 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.

70. 57 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

71. Odors Remember downwind neighbors You might like the smell of manure but your neighbors will not

72. Factors Affecting Odor Release and Dispersion Wind speed 2. Area 1. Temperature 2. Wind speed 3. Topography 3. Source concentration

73. 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.

74. 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.

75. 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.

76. Equine Environmental Stewardship and nutrient management leads to healthier horses, attractive farms, friendlier neighbors, and control of water pollution.

77. 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!

78. Upcoming Webcasts College and HorsesJanuary 18, 20117 PM EST Biosecurity on the Horse FarmFebruary 22, 20117PM EST Gastric UlcersMarch 22, 20117PM EDT

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