ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF EQUINE OPERATIONS

Project Details

Description

The project proposed here will incorporate the best available data about animal use, feed, manure storage and disposal, pasture/cropping management, soil and environmental quality, erosion control, and site characteristics to meet the goal of minimizing negative environmental impacts of equine operations on soil, water, and air quality. This project will assess existing data, investigate and conduct research when data is lacking or non-existent, and incorporate all data into a systematic model of nutrient flow in soil, water, and air occurring on horse farms. Estimates will be made of N, P, pathogens, and energy (carbon) loss potentials throughout the system. In addition to identifying system-wide losses on equine farms, this project will assist farmers and those who work with them in determining the value of equine management practices. Outcomes: 1. Improve adoption of strategies to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in the diet of horses. 2. Optimize the use of horse manure to improve soil quality. 3. Increase the implementation of Best Management Practices for manure management in order in improve water quality. 4. Increase the implementation of best stall management practices or storage managment practices in order to improve air quality in and around equine barnyards. 5. Use the integrated model to determine the effects of management practices on equine farms.

StatusFinished
Effective start/end date10/1/099/30/14

Funding

  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture

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