Applying equineRSU and seasonal livestock correction to wider equine stud farm types
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Date
2024-09-12
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Rights
(c) The author
CC BY
CC BY
Abstract
To adjust for potential overestimations in the nitrogen excretion by horses within OverseerĀ®, a revised stock unit system has been proposed (equineRSU). These equineRSU were generated and validated using a medium-sized equine farm as a model farm. The aim of this study was to test the application of the equineRSU and seasonal stock number adjustment on a more complex farming model. Livestock numbers and management data were captured prospectively for the base property (128.8 ha) of a large multi-property commercial breeding stud (3 support properties, 556 ha total area) between June 2022 and May 2023. The monthly on-farm metabolisable energy (ME) requirement and pasture demand were deterministically modelled with both a customised feed budget using livestock class and weight or using the equineRSU and monthly adjusted stock numbers. There were multiple complex movements of horses on and off the property in the different stock classes across the year, with stock management reflecting seasonal periods of high stocking density. There was good agreement (6% variance) between actual ME demand (complex feed budget) and estimated feed demand (simplistic equineRSU model) of 4,387,187 MJ vs 4,102,770 MJ. This suggests that the equineRSU could be used on complex equine farm systems within OverseerĀ®.
Description
Keywords
Horse, thoroughbred, N leaching, farm system, nutrient budget, energy requirement, livestock management, feeding
Citation
Chin YY, Airey H, Horne DJ, Gee EK, Back PJ, Sclater J, Rogers CW. (2024). Applying equineRSU and seasonal livestock correction to wider equine stud farm types. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. Latest Articles. (pp. 1-11).