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.
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.
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 5 feet.
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 margins.
The wet spring weather and abundant clover growth in Central Kentucky has made 2010 a bumper year for slaframine toxin, or “slobber toxin.”
Poison hemlock, cocklebur, Johnsongrass, and common ragweed can all be poisonous to horses under the right conditions. Dr. William Witt of the University of Kentucky discusses these weeds’ habitats and how to get rid of them.
Goosegrass is a warm-season grass that germinates and emerges in spring and grows throughout the summer until the first killing frost.
The University of Kentucky Equine Initiative will host an equine farm and facilities expo June 1 from 3:30 to 8 p.m. EDT at Lexington’s Spy Coast Farm on Newtown Pike.
Canada thistle is distributed across the northern United States and Canada. It’s listed as noxious in many states and classified as a prohibited noxious weed seed in many state seed laws.
Dr. Kristina Hiney, PhD, Omega Fields Equine Nutrition Advisor, has prepared a series of seasonal tips to help horse owners transitioning their horses from one season to another.
Proper pasture management prevents erosion and nutrient loss from the soil, which also helps improve stream and water quality. In addition, pastures can provide an excellent “free-choice” exercise plan for horses. But the most important role pasture
As horse farm managers and owners face another year of tough economic times and high feeding costs, the University of Kentucky’s Horse Pasture Evaluation Program helps them stretch every dollar. The program, which will run from April to O
Dandelion is widespread across North America and is a commonly occurring plant in all types of pastures and turf. This is one of the most well-known weeds because of its bright yellow flowers and round, gray-to-white seed heads that are borne on a hollow stalk.
David McNear, PhD, assistant professor of rhizosphere science in the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Plant and Soil Sciences Department, was recently awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his research on endophyte-infected tall fescue and how it impacts soil microbial communities, chemical properties, and nutrient cycling.
People in increasing numbers are seeking limited acreage where they can enjoy the rural way of life, including horses. For some the small farm must at least be operated efficiently in order to be affordable.
Cool temperatures and abundant rainfall create ideal conditions for forage producers to establish or thicken grass pastures and hayfields.
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