PR-878: 2025 Cool-season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Tim Phillips, Laurie Lawrence | December 9, 2025 (New)

Cool-season forages such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass are dominant pasture grasses for horses in Kentucky. Variety evaluations for yield have been carried out for many years, but little work has been done to evaluate varieties of these grasses for persistence when subjected to close, continual grazing by horses.

PR-876: 2025 Alfalfa, Red Clover, and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Eric Vanzant | December 9, 2025 (New)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the highest-yielding, highest-quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It forms the basis of Kentucky’s cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef, and sheep diets. Recent emphasis on its use as a grazing crop and the release of grazing-tolerant varieties have raised the following question: Do varieties differ in tolerance to grazing? To answer this question, we have chosen to use the standard tolerance test recommended by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. This test uses continuous heavy grazing to sort out differences in grazing tolerance in a relatively short period of time.

PR-877: 2025 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Tim Phillips, Eric Vanzant | December 9, 2025 (New)

Cool-season forages such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are the primary pasture grasses in Kentucky. Other species such as perennial ryegrass and festulolium can also be used in pasture systems. Little is known about the effect of variety on the grazing tolerance of these cool-season grass species.

NEP-235: Cook Wild Kentucky: White-Tailed Deer

Annhall Norris, Wooldridge Bloomfield. Becky, Copley Andrew, Coots Easton, Knappage Elizabeth, Rentfrow Jann, Robinson Gregg, Springer Jen, Walters Matthew, Yount Jackie, Cline Martha | September 4, 2025 (New)

Kentucky has a mixture of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and farmland. This makes it a great habitat for wildlife species such as white-tailed deer. The white-tailed deer is common throughout Kentucky, with a population close to one million. You can see white-tailed deer grazing in forests, pastures, and crop fields. They are a prized resource, supplying food, clothing, and fun.

AGR-283: Interpreting Baleage Fermentation Test Results

Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Michelle Arnold | June 6, 2025 (New)

Baleage is the wrapping of bales of wilted forage such that anaerobic fermentation occurs. Most commonly made with large round bales, larger rectangular bales may also be stored as baleage.

4AA-2FSO: Horse and Horseless Activities for 4-H Clubs

Fernanda Camargo | May 20, 2025 (New)

Coming up with horse-club activities can sometimes be a struggle, especially when owned horses are not an option. In this publication, you will find fresh ideas for 4-H Horse Club indoor activities and field trips. These experiences connect youth to relevant horse programs through hands-on learning that fosters positive youth development and links young people to other 4-H opportunities.

ASC-271: The Impact of Heat Stress and Fescue Toxicosis on Beef Cattle Reproduction

Tyler Purvis, Les Anderson, Darrh Bullock, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | May 19, 2025 (New)

Heat stress is a common problem facing beef-cattle producers throughout the United States, and in 2003 was estimated to cost the U.S. beef industry $369 million dollars annually. Heat stress occurs when an animal is creating and absorbing more heat than they can dissipate, which increases core temperature and physiological stress. Common symptoms of heat stress include increased respiration rates, panting, or standing in water such as ponds or puddles. Heat stress results in negative impacts on growth, health, and reproduction. Cattle can have reduced conception rates, growth rates, and milk production during the summer. During severe heat stress, conception rates can fall to 10%-20% or lower compared to 40%-60% conception rates observed in cooler months.

ASC-198: Selecting Ducks

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | May 19, 2025 (Minor Revision)

As with many domesticated species, ducks are selected for different purposes, primarily meat or egg production. They are also valued for their feathers and down. It is important to choose a breed of duck that best suits your particular needs.

ASC-268: Managing and Mitigating Equine and Nuisance Wildlife Interactions

Fernanda Camargo | February 24, 2025 (New)

Many of the resources used to care for horses and other domestic animals can also be attractive to a variety of wildlife. These resources include easily accessible feedstuffs, water, and shelter in the forms of barns, storage sheds, or shade trees. Some of these uninvited guests can bring unintended consequences to your property, like disease, hazardous terrain created by burrows/holes, property damage, and feed and water contamination.

AGR-281: Improving Kentucky Horse Pastures

Chris Teutsch, Krista Lea, Ray Smith, Bob Coleman | February 13, 2025 (New)

For many horses, quality pasture can provide almost all nutrients needed for maintenance or light work for much of the year. Pasture reduces the cost of keeping horses while providing safe footing and minimizing impacts on the environment.