Forage Extension Program
Forage Extension Program

Equine and Endophytes Workshop

Equine and Endophytes Workshop

Equine and Endophytes Workshop

Spy Coast Farm - Equine Education Center

Last Revised: Dec 8th, 2023

Date and Time

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Event Description

For registration, click this link: https://EquineEndo2023.eventbrite.com

Toxic tall fescue poses a significant challenge to horse breeders in the southeastern US. This workshop aims to educate breeders on what is known about tall fescue and the broodmare, how to evaluate risk, and explore strategies to reduce or eliminate these risks.

11:30 - Registration and visit with vendors

12:00 - Lunch

12:45 - Welcome, Matt Poore and Spy Coast Farm

1:00 - Understanding Endophytes - Dr. Carolyn Young. The history and morphology of endophytes and comparison of endophyte-infected tall fescue in the US.

1:30 - Equine Research in Tall Fescue - Dr. Karen McDowell. A brief review of the literature surrounding horses and tall fescue to define what we do know, and what we don't.

2:00 - Evaluating Toxicity Risk - Krista Lea. Explore factors that affect toxicity to help breeders make timely management decisions to reduce tall fescue toxicity risk in pasture and hay.

2:30 - Live plant identification and break - Krista Lea

3:00 - Mitigation through Grazing - Dr. Amanda Grev. Changes in grazing can reduce the risk for tall fescue toxicity and protect investments in improved pastures.

3:30 - Utilizing Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue - Dr. Ray Smith. Proper establishment and early management is key to successful incorporating novel endohpyte tall fescues into pastures.

4:00 - The Real Cost of Tall Fescue - Dr. Jill Stowe. A critical look at the cost of tolerating toxic tall fescue on horse farms and common mitigation strategies including introducing novel endophyte tall fescues.

4:30 - Farm Manager Panel - Moderated by Dr. Jimmy Henning. Hear from farm managers who have targeted and reduced toxic tall fescue and utilized novel endophytes for improved grazing.

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. To learn more, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org.

Contact Information

1100 Nicholasville Rd. N-222 Ag Science Bldg North Lexington, KY 40546-0091