Using the recommended stocking density to predict equine pasture management

Best management practices for equine pastures include following the recommended stocking density, rotating, clipping, dragging manure, soil testing, and renovating as needed. Assuming these practices are implemented collectively, pasture resources can contribute significantly to annual forage needs. A survey was mailed to New Jersey pasture property owners in January 2000 to assess pasture management practices and determine the relationship between the recommended stocking density and individual management practices. Our survey indicates that many horse pasture managers follow individual recommendations, but generally do not implement multiple management practices. About 69% of survey respondents currently have between 0 and 20 horses. About 28% of respondents have between 6 and 10 acres of pasture, while only 20% have between 11 and 20 acres. Our analysis reveals a decreasing tendency to follow the recommended stocking density as horse numbers increase, but no difference as the number of acres of pasture changes. Our survey indicated that 66% soil test and about 45% fertilize every three years or greater while 50% lime pastures in intervals exceeding three years. The most commonly implemented management practice is mowing pastures (89%), while 54% of respondents rotate pastures. Despite the large proportion of managers that mow or rotate their pastures, there was generally only a small likelihood of these managers following the recommended stocking density and mowing, and no relationship between rotating and the recommended stocking density. Our results also indicate that at most about one-third of pasture managers have access to or own some piece of equipment used in pasture renovation or maintenance, although 92% make annual pasture expenditures. Consequently, pasture managers need additional information regarding the benefits of following best management practices to achieve the synergistic effect of multiple management practices on pasture productivity and persistence.     

Novel and simple approach using synthesized nickel nanoparticles to control blood-sucking parasites

The present study was on assessment of the anti-parasitic activities of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) against the larvae of cattle ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum (a.) anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae), fourth instar larvae of Anopheles subpictus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex gelidus (Diptera: Culicidae). The metallic Ni NPs were synthesized by polyol process from Ni-hydrazine as precursor and Tween 80 as both the medium and the stabilizing reagent. The synthesized Ni NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis which indicated the presence of Ni NPs. Synthesized Ni NPs showed the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks at 42.76°, 53.40°, and 76.44°, identified as 1 1 1, 2 2 0, and 2 0 0 reflections, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the synthesized Ni NPs clearly showed that the Ni NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 150 nm. The Ni NPs showed maximum activity against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus, H. a. anatolicum, A. subpictus, C. quinquefasciatus and C. gelidus with LC₅₀ values of 10.17, 10.81, 4.93, 5.56 and 4.94 mg/L; r² values of 0.990, 0.993, 0.992, 0.950 and 0.988 and the efficacy of Ni-hydrazine complexes showed the LC₅₀ values of 20.35, 22.72, 8.29, 9.69 and 7.83 mg/L; r² values of 0.988, 0.986, 0.989, 0.944 and 0.978, respectively. The findings revealed that synthesized Ni NPs possess excellent larvicidal parasitic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on larvicidal activity of blood feeding parasites using synthesized Ni NPs.     

Effects of taurine on glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione levels in rats

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of taurine on endogenous glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione Reductase (GR) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in normal rats. Normal saline (Group I) or 5% taurine in normal saline was administered in dose of 50 mg (Group II), 250 mg (Group III) or 500 mg kg(-1) of body weight (Group IV) through intragastric intubation for 60 days. GPx and GR enzyme activities and GSH and taurine levels were determined in liver, heart, stomach, kidney and plasma of normal Wistar rats. GPx activity showed an increase in liver, heart, stomach and plasma. GR activity increased in kidney and decreased in liver and plasma. GSH levels increased in liver, stomach and decreased in kidney. Liver showed an increase and heart, stomach and kidney a decrease in taurine level in taurine administered rats when compared to control rats. The results varied from organ to organ and the observed variations among organs might be related to their respective enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant potential and its functions. From the present study it may be concluded that long term oral administration of taurine affects GPx, GR and GSH levels in normal rats.     

Protective role of Bacopa monniera on morphine-induced brain mitochondrial enzyme activity in rats

Alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for its protective role on morphine-induced brain mitochondrial enzyme status in rats. The level of the brain mitochondrial enzymes was significantly lower in the morphine-treated group when compared with control animals. These enzymes were maintained at normal level when Bacopa extract was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg/kg, 2 h before the administration of morphine.     

Dietary and Manure Management Practices on Equine Farms in Two New Jersey Watersheds

Equine farms are increasing in number in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. These farms may influence environmental quality owing to manure collection, storage, spreading, and disposal practices. A manure management survey was mailed to 700 New Jersey equine farms during the winter of 2009-2010 (these farms were located in two watersheds). Two hundred forty-two surveys were returned; 10% were training or performance farms, whereas the remainder (90%) were breeding, boarding, or pleasure farms. There were differences between the two watersheds in turnout time, pasture acreage, use of drag harrows, and income. Respondents answered questions about diet and environmental management on farms. Seventy-eight percent had bunk management plans. Forty-seven percent disposed of waste feed in a manure pile, 35% left it on fields or paddocks, and 18% put it in a dumpster. Twenty-six percent engage a professional for feeding advice (21% veterinarians, 2% extension, 3% nutrition consultants). Most respondents did not have a regular feed management plan. Sixty-two percent of all farms spread manure on-farm. Of those who spread, 29% have >8.09 hectares (20 acres) for spreading. Ninety-six percent of respondents stored manure >100 ft from water or wetlands. Comparison of cross-tabulations indicates a strong relationship (P < .01) between rotational grazing and the use of a sacrifice or exercise area. Eighty-eight percent of respondents using sacrifice areas also rotationally graze. Results indicate future outreach programs should focus on feed management, manure storage location, rotational grazing, and the use of sacrifice areas as part of a pasture management program.     

Soil carbon improvement under long‐term (36 years) no‐till sorghum production in a sub‐tropical environment

Soil organic matter (SOM) is considered an important indicator of soil quality, which can be impacted by crop production practices such as tillage. In this study, two long‐term tillage regimes (conventional tillage [CT] and no tillage [NT], conducted for 36 years) were compared in continuous sorghum production in a sub‐tropical environment in southeast Texas. The positive effects of long‐term NT practice were more conspicuous at the soil surface compared with the deeper soil profiles. The SOC was greater (1.5 t C ha^?1 greater) in the NT system compared with the CT system. Results from an incubation study indicate that the rate of C‐min at 0–5 cm soil depth was significantly greater (164 μg of CO₂–C g^?1 of soil greater) in NT than that of CT, but this trend was reversed at 10–20 cm depth wherein the C‐min rates were 106 μg of CO₂–C g^?1 of soil greater in CT compared with NT, which is likely because of soil disturbance during the study. Soil cumulative CO₂‐C emissions were greater in the CT system (7.28 g m^?2) than in the NT system (5.19 g m^?2), which is primarily attributed to high soil temperature conditions in the CT system. Sorghum grain yield however was not influenced by the differences in SOC content in this long‐term experiment. Overall, the present study found that long‐term conservation tillage improved SOC stock and reduced carbon loss, thus had a positive impact on soil health and sustainability.     

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).     

Human-induced changes in the hydrology of the western United States

Observations have shown that the hydrological cycle of the western United States changed significantly over the last half of the 20th century. We present a regional, multivariable climate change detection and attribution study, using a high-resolution hydrologic model forced by global climate models, focusing on the changes that have already affected this primarily arid region with a large and growing population. The results show that up to 60% of the climate-related trends of river flow, winter air temperature, and snow pack between 1950 and 1999 are human-induced. These results are robust to perturbation of study variates and methods. They portend, in conjunction with previous work, a coming crisis in water supply for the western United States.