Ryders Lane Best Management
Practices Demonstration Horse Farm
   

Through the use of best management practices, equine facilities can flourish while remaining environmentally friendly.

    In 2005 a team of Rutgers researchers affiliated with the Equine Science Center and several state and federal agencies began a multi-year collaboration. They sought to develop a demonstration working horse farm on the Cook campus that would use agricultural best management practices to provide solutions to many of the problems facing farm owners and stable managers today.

     Our researchers have identified numerous environmental issues, such as preserving water quality, proper nutrient and waste management, farm and pasture management, weed control, fencing, pasture rotation, and soil enrichment. These are just a few of the many facets of farm management that the project will address.

     Located at the existing Ryders Lane facility on approximately 40 acres, the facility, when complete, will be not only be a model best management practices horse farm, but also a learning center where research, education and proactive outreach through live demonstrations and twilight seminars will enrich the public’s understanding of how to successfully manage the environmental challenges their farms may pose.

Goals of the project:

• To develop and maintain the Ryders Lane facility as a demonstration working horse farm by implementing best management practices (BMPs) which address pasture management, stormwater, and manure issues. BMPs are cost-effective and easy to implement.
   
• To conduct educational programs at the farm which demonstrate the implementation of best management practices to enhance and maintain pasture and water quality.
   
• To utilize the farm site to conduct research on new forage varieties.
   
• To provide learning experiences and educational programs in pasture renovation, forage varieties, soil fertility, weed identification and management, rotational grazing, storm water management and manure storage, composting, and utilization.

Equine Science Center partners for this project include:

• Region II of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
   
• The Natural Resources Conservation Service
   
• The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
   
• The New Jersey Department of Agriculture
   
• The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
   
• The Center for Turfgrass Science at Rutgers University
   
• The Department of Animal Sciences, SEBS, Rutgers University
   
• The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University
   
• Rutgers Cooperative Extension of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
   
• The Service Department of Animal Care, Rutgers Cooperative Extension