Effectiveness of Cooperative Extension Manure Management Programs

Equine farms are increasing in number in many areas of the United States. Unlike traditional farming operations, equine farm managers may be less likely to use and are less connected to extension services. A manure management survey was mailed to 2000 New Jersey equine farms during the winter of 2006 to 2007; 472 surveys were returned (24% return rate). Respondents were asked from where they get manure management information; 27% received information from Rutgers Cooperative Extension, whereas 21% get information from a feed dealer, 6% from another retailer, 19% from the internet, 39% from magazines, 47% from other horse owners, and 25% from other sources. Veterinarians were not a variable in this survey; although they are a source of equine information, it is unclear how reliable a source they might be about manure management. They can play a role in manure management programs, particularly referral to other sources of information. Data were modeled to compare extension against all other sources and develop a prediction of where respondents receive information. This model had a predictive accuracy of 70.03% and R² of 0.08 (P > .10). This model showed that those receiving information from extension were likely to have 21 to 40 acres of pasture, were likely to spread manure on 6 to 10 acres, and likely to soil test regularly. Results indicate that cooperative extension was not the first or second information source for horse producers, although larger farms and those that soil tested on a regular basis were more likely to use extension services (P < .05).