Breakout Sessions Environmental Stewardship

“Equine operations can have environmental effects that extend far beyond the individual farm. With a better understanding of how certain practices impact soil, water, and air, scientists can work with farmers to develop better solutions to minimize the environmental impacts of equine operations.”

The horse industry in New Jersey is responsible for a $1.1 billion contribution to the economy of the state. The industry provides almost 13,000 jobs and generates about $160 million in federal, state, and local taxes.

In New Jersey alone, the most recent numbers show that there are 42,500 horses and 7,200 horse operations covering 176,000 acres of land; 96,000 of these acres are directly related to equine activities, of which 78,000 acres are devoted to pasture. An additional 46,000 acres in the state are devoted to hay and grain production. The total acreage devoted to support the equine industry represents about one fifth of the total agricultural acres in the state of New Jersey.

Equine operations can have environmental effects that extend far beyond the individual farm. For example, poor horse pasture and trail management combined with heavy horse hoof traffic can lead to problematic soil erosion. Runoff can carry eroded sediment and pollutants (like nitrogen, phosphorous, and bacteria in horse feed, manure, and bedding) off the farm and deposit them in nearby soils and bodies of water.

Manure disposal is a particularly important issue. Each horse produces approximately 50 pounds of manure per day. To dispose of this waste without the cost and hassle of shipping it off the farm, many farms over-apply manure to surrounding pasture and hay fields. Because horse stall manure often contains bedding material and parasites, this practice can limit the growth of pasture grasses and hay. Horse farmers need affordable, environmentally friendly alternatives for waste disposal.

Horse farmers also need more information about how to manage pastures to meet horses’ dietary preferences and nutrient requirements. Well-maintained pasture can also help reduce erosion and runoff. With a better understanding of how certain practices impact soil, water, and air, scientists can develop better solutions to minimize the impacts of equine operations. Pasture management decisions of operators in New Jersey as well as operators across the U.S. play a very important role in maintaining our environment.

Horses are healthiest in their natural environment outdoors where they can graze at will for 14 to 16 hours a day. If no additional pasture management is performed, a horse will need to graze between 2 to 3 acres in a growing season to get enough nutrients from the pasture to maintain its body weight.

This means that New Jersey would need 85,000 to 127,500 acres of pasture unless more management is performed. The high-end estimate represents more acreage than is available to horses in New Jersey.

Thus, many horse facilities have the problem of too many horses and too few acres on their property leading to pasture overcrowding, poor-quality grass, potentially unhealthy horses, and a possibly contaminated environment.

Situation

Horse farm operations occupy a significant amount of agricultural acreage in the Garden State, but are pastures managed as well as they should be to provide optimal horse nutrition and practice responsible environmental stewardship? How do we get the word out to horse farm and horse owners?

Opportunities

☐ Capitalize on the current farm management workshops and nutrition seminars.

ӽ Broad-based marketing to large and small equine operations ӽ Accessibility of contact information for Extension specialists with pasture, water, and waste training credentials ӽ Youth group efforts such as FFA, Pony Club, 4-H, and high schools ӽ Therapeutic riding operations ӽ Veterinary professionals such as equine hospitals and practices as well as statewide groups such as the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners ӽ Using manure as a source of biofuels, as a possible example

☐ Start early by making youth aware of the necessity for good equine nutrition and environmental education.

☐ Engage organizations and professionals in sciencebased activities and workshops focusing on nutrition and environmental stewardship.

☐ Make available and widely distribute fact sheets, infographics and other materials that specifically address environmental best practices.

☐ Create research partnerships with other educational institutions and state offices to address environmental concerns related to equine operations.

☐ Find solutions for equine farm management problems.

☐ Continue to help find solutions for equine farm management problems.

☐ Appeal to the enthusiasm and efforts of the younger generation to find solutions leading to good environmental stewardship.

☐ Continue to provide training for pasture, water, and waste management.

Resources

• Ryders Lane Environmental Best Management Practices

Demonstration Horse Farm

• A Guide To More Productive And Nutrient Dense Horse Pastures

• Crabgrass as an Equine Pasture

Forage: Impact of Establishment

Method on Yield, Nutrient Composition, and Horse Preference