by Diana M. Orban Brown

New Brunswick, NJ — Rutgers Equine Science Center and Rutgers Cooperative Extension have scheduled a two-day “Equine Farm and Land Management Short Course” for Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6, 2007.

Specially designed for owners and managers of horse farms and other livestock facilities, the course will cover the basics of pasture nutrition and maintenance, weed management, soil fertility, manure management, environmental policies and regulations, weed and toxic plant identification, forage species, hay evaluation, composting, drainage and buffering systems, and other essential topics.

In addition, Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D., director of the Equine Science Center and director of Extension with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, will provide an overview of the economic impact of the horse industry in New Jersey, based on a study just completed by the Equine Science Center.

The Equine Farm and Land Management Short Course is being organized by Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D., Monmouth County agricultural agent, and Carey Williams, Ph.D., Extension equine specialist.

According to Williams, “This course is very timely in view of recently-enacted environmental policies that affect horse and livestock
operations throughout the state. A similar course that took place this past March generated rave reviews from participants. In addition to farm owners, others who would benefit from this course are educators, regulators, municipal officials and people interested in forage, nutrition, and farm management.”

The session on Friday will run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Extension Office in the Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Rd., Freehold. The day will consist of illustrated lectures in a classroom setting. On Saturday, participants will gather from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stargate Farm, 631 Route 524, Allentown, for hands-on learning in the field.

Both days will include a coffee break and working lunch with discussion.

The cost is $95 for both days and $60 for either Friday-only or Saturday-only. The fee includes meals and materials. Enrollment is limited to 80 persons.

For further information or to register, please go to www.esc.rutgers.edu and click on the Farm and Land Management headline in the upper right corner. Information is also available by e-mail from salinger@njaes.rutgers.edu.