Press Release

Do you know all of the benefits and risks of turning horses out on pastures?
Do you know how to choose the correct type and quality of hay to meet your horse’s nutritional needs?
Are you able to identify the most common poisonous plants and trees in your area?

If your answers to any of the above questions are no, then you should attend the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Conference and Summit on Equine Forages: Risks and Rewards. The conference – sponsored by Cook College at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - is being held at the Cook Campus Center, on Friday, October 22, 2004 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Two tracks will be offered at the conference: one for veterinarians and researchers and the other for horse owners and barn managers.

A unique combination of equine nutrition and forage/crop specialists will present state-of-the-art information on the nutritional benefits of horse forages and concerns related to forage. Attendees will learn of cutting-edge research, which seeks to identify and manage the risks that may be associated with variations in nutritional quality and sugar content of forage crops. Speakers from Rutgers, Rocky Mountain

Research and Consulting, and the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Station in Utah will provide information on factors that affect the nutritional value of forages, how pasture forages and hay vary in sugar and protein content, and nutritionally-influenced metabolic diseases in horses. Afternoon breakout sessions will provide hands-on experience in judging hay type and quality, identifying poisonous plants and evaluating and improving pastures.

A roundtable summit of equine nutritionists and researchers, crop specialists and veterinarians will take place on Saturday, October 23 from 9 a.m. until noon, to facilitate discussion about current knowledge and to identify needs for collaborative research and educational programs.

The cost of the conference is $50 in advance and $75 at the door. The cost of the summit is $25 in advance and $50 at the door. The combined fee for both events is $70 in advance and $110 at the door. Student/youth fees are $25 in advance or $35 at the door for either or both days.

For further information, contact Dr. Sarah Ralston, Associate Professor at 732-932-9404; Dr. Carey Williams, Equine Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor at 732-932-5529; or Donna Foulk, Program Associate, at 908-475-6503. To register online, visit http://www.cookce.rutgers.edu/courses/current/aa0601ha05.html.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension provides information and educational services to all people without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, disability or handicap, or age. Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Travel Information

Directions

The Cook College Campus Center is located near the New Jersey Turnpike. After leaving the Turnpike at Exit 9, take Route 18 North to Route 1 South; proceed three exits to College Farm Road; turn right on College Farm Road. Turn right on Dudley Road (a four-way stop) and right at Biel Road. The Cook Campus Center is the first building on the left. Parking will be available nearby. Additional directions can be found at http://www.rutgers.edu/kiosk/directions/CCC.html.

Hotels

University Inn and Conference Center
Douglas Campus
(732) 932 - 9144

Ramada Inn - East Brunswick
Route 18 & Eggerts Street
East Brunswick
(732) 828 - 6900

Brunswick Hilton
3 Tower Center Boulevard
East Brunswick
(732) 828 - 2000

Hyatt Regency
2 Albany Street
New Brunswick
(732) 873 - 1234

Ramada Inn and Conference Center
999 Route 1 South
North Brunswick
(732) 246 - 3737