Three Pasture Walk Opportunities

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

Managing Better Horse Pastures

When: Thursday, August 28, 2008
Where:
Graham Equestrian Center (Directions)
10301 Harford Road
Glen Arm, Maryland
Time: 6:30 pm

You are invited to join a free, local Summer Pasture Walk that will help you learn how to manage horses and pastures for protective cover and improved nutrient management. The Pasture Walk will be held on Thursday evening, August 28th at 6:30 pm at the Graham Equestrian Center, 10301 Harford Road, in Glen Arm, Maryland. Agricultural specialists will discuss general pasture management, opportunities for technical and cost-share assistance, and take a walking tour of the pasture plantings.

Elmer Dengler, Grazing Specialist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) describes the benefits of highlighted conservation practice used at the equestrian center. “Participants will have a chance to see first-hand how conservation practices and pasture plantings can be used to maintain optimum conditions for forage production, provide adequate exercise opportunities for horses, and perform land stewardship and manure nutrient management practices.” Program participation and opportunities for receiving technical and financial assistance to install conservation practices to protect land and water resources will be discussed.

This tour is sponsored or supported by the Maryland Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coalition and the Maryland USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District, the Baltimore County Extension Service, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Register
Tour participants need to register to get updates on any changes. The tour is free and open to the public. Please call (410) 666-1020 to register so that an adequate supply of educational materials will be available.

Directions

Forage Bermudagrass for Hay and Pasture

When: Thursday, September 4, 2008
Where:
Jack Welch Farm (Directions)
Charlotte Hall, Maryland
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Most of our cool-season grasses in Southern Maryland have taken a beating from last year’s drought and are not all there for this year’s rains. Just because it is green does not mean it will hold soil and nutrients or provide safe forage for horses.

Forage Bermudagrass:

• Tolerates long hot dry summers
• Produces more forage than cool-season grasses in hot dry conditions
• Great potential as a hay crop for the summer months
• Potential to heal itself without reseeding
• Can be overseeded to rye or ryegrass
• Produces well on light, sandy soils
• Healthy and versatile for horse operations when managed properly
• Good for use in sacrifice or dry lot areas

The Welch Farm has a large demonstration planting of Bermuda grass that has been managed for hay. We will have a walking tour of the seven varieties (3 sprigged planted and 4 seeded) and an open discussion on selecting the right site to manage Bermuda grass, its best use, and what the Maryland Grazing Land Conservation Initiative (GLCI) demonstration plantings tell us about its potential in Maryland.

We will discuss all phases of a managed site selection, improved single variety selection, establishment, and management for hay or pasture in Maryland.

We will also discuss the value of Bermuda grass for erosion and manure nutrient management, as it relates to increasing concerns about the impact of horse pastures on the Chesapeake Bay.

Register
If you plan to attend, please contact the Charles Soil Conservation District at 301-934-9588 ext. 3, so we can provide adequate free handout information.

Directions

Pasture Walk with Bermudagrass in a Heavy Use Area

When: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Where:
Burrages End Stables (Directions)
Lothian, Maryland
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Come see the beginning of a new way to manage summer pastures and loafing lots that is horse and Bay friendly. The pasture walk will be at Burrages End Stables managed by Carol Jahnigen. Working with various agencies, Carol has implemented several practices to improve water quality and the management of her horse farm. These practices will be highlighted in addition to where you can get technical and financial assistance to implement them on your farm.

This summer an improved Bermuda grass seed, Mohawk, was planted in Carol Jahnigen’s sacrifice area. In the summer the grass will provide good protective cover and will actively utilize nutrients present from manure and urine in the feeding area. Bermuda grass, once completely established, is a long lived perennial that should need little reseeding once it reaches maturity. Properly managed Bermuda grass, a C-4 warm season grass, will provide high quality forage that is good for horses and grows in the summer when few other things do. Manure nutrients can easily move off site during summer months. With a perennial grass present, nutrient capture will occur and a much needed forage will be produced. Landowners can over seed with rye or ryegrass in the fall to create a year round grazing pasture.

Assistance is provided by Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District, Maryland Department of Agricultural, Maryland Cooperative Extension and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Come see a well managed horse farm and a new way to manage a sacrifice or summer pasture.

Sponsored by the Anne Arundel Soil conservation District

Register
To sign-up or for more details, contact Suzi Whilden at the Anne Arundel SCD at 410-571-6757.

Directions