June, 2014 MHC Member Benefits Michigan Horse Council is organized for the following purposes: · To provide individuals and organizations with a central authority that will support, encourage, supplement, and coordinate the efforts of those presently engaged in the constructive conservation, development, and promotion of the horse industry and horse community in the State of Michigan; · To educate and inform individuals and organizations through all available media, educational programs, and cooperation; and · To advocate the conservation and promotion of the horse industry and community in Michigan, regardless of breed, discipline or interest. Benefits of Joining Michigan Horse Council $1 Million MHC member automatic liability insurance AHC Advantage Plan Trails and Legislative Advocacy Equine Community News ARG Member Buying Plan Indeividual, Family, Business and Organization Memberships Available Join MHC Today! Links You May Like to Check: Links you may like to check: What is RTP? More Information Signs and etiquette for shared-use urban trails. More information. Michigan Department of Natural Resources:website Michigan Department of Agriculture website MHC Facebook Page MHC Facebook Page MI Horse Expo Facebook Michigan Horse Expo Facebook MI Horse Council Trails Facebook MHC Trails Facebook American Horse Council Michigan Horse Expo Is your organization a member of Michigan Horse Council? Do you have a Facebook Page? If so, supply us with the information, and we will provide a link here in all future newsletters. MHC Meeting Dates: Dates for 2014 MHC Meetings: June, July, August - no meetings Tuesday, September 9 Tuesday, October 7 Tuesday, November 4 Tuesday, December 2 All meetings are held at the MSU Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, and begin at 7:30 p.m. A trails committee meeting is held at the same location, beginning at 6:30 p.m., prior to the regular meeting. Mandatory 30-Minute Break Period for Drivers Hauling Livestock Waived The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced they are granting a limited one year exemption from the mandatory 30-minute rest period in the hours-of-service regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting livestock, including horses. Last July, the AHC supported the FMCSA decision to give a 90-day exemption for the 30-minute rest period for drivers of commercial vehicles hauling livestock in order to minimize the potential of rising temperatures inside the trailers that could harm the animals. Before this exemption, drivers were required by law to take a 30-minute break for every eight hours of service. Due to the success of the 90-day exemption in 2013, the FMCSA had sufficient experience to provide a one-year exemption. The hours-of-service exemption is specifically for drivers transporting livestock as defined in the Emergency Feed Assistance Act of 1988, which includes horses. Under current regulations, this will only affect drivers moving horses commercially. Hours-of Service exemptions already exist for those occasionally transporting their own horses within a 150 mile radius of home and not crossing a state or international boundary. The AHC supports the FMCSAs decision to put the health and welfare of the horse in the hands of the driver during transport to assure that it arrives at its destination safe and well. 100 Day Horse Challenge Open for Registration The American Horse Councils initiative offers $100,000 in cash and prize incentives for engaging newcomers in horse activities. Please share this with any members of the horse community you believe would like to participate. The 100 Day Horse Challenge, sponsored by Time to Ride, is now accepting horse applications. The first 1,000 hosts to be approved will compete for $100,000 in cash and prizes this summer by providing entry level horse experiences to as many people as possible in 100 days beginning May 31. Official rules and registration details are available at timetoride The goal of the 100 Day Horse Challenge is to increase awareness of the benefits of horse activities across the United States by aiming to engage at least 100,000 new people with an introductory horse experience. The Challenge is open to members of the horse industry who have the capacity to support this goal, including stables, instructors, clubs and associations, veterinarians, racetracks, horse shows and other events, rescues, feed and retail stores, and therapeutic riding stables. Prizes based on the verified number of people engaged will be awarded to first through sixth places in small, medium, and large divisions to allow hosts to compete against others of comparable size. Cash Prizes up to $25,000 will be awarded, along with stable equipment, feed, veterinary supplies, and more. Approved hosts will be listed on the Time to Ride map with special designation as Challenge Hosts. Hosts will have the ability to list specific events and horse experiences offered, which can include horsemanship education, riding, and grooming. Time to Ride will provide marketing support to all hosts, including sample advertisements and posters, suggested events and activities, and help reaching horse-interested members of their local community. The registration deadline for this groundbreaking campaign is May 30th, and the first 1,000 hosts to be approved will be eligible for competition. Visit timetoride for more. About Time to Ride Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Councils marketing alliance, formed to connect people with horses. It is designed to encourage horse-interested consumers to enjoy the benefits of horse activities. The AHC marketing alliance is made up of the following organizations: the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Active Interest Media, the American Quarter Horse Association, Dover Saddlery, Farnam, Merck, Merial, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, U.S. Equestrian Federation, and Zoetis. About the American Horse Council The American Horse Council is a non-profit organization that includes all segments of the horse industry. While its primary mission is to represent the industry before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies in Washington, DC, it also undertakes national initiatives for the horse industry. Time to Ride, the AHCs marketing alliance to connect horses and people, is such an effort. The American Horse Council hopes that Time to Ride will encourage people and businesses to participate in the industry, enjoy our horses, and support our equine activities and events. The AHC believes a healthy horse industry contributes to the health of Americans and America in many ways. Learn more about AHC at: horsecouncil.org. Speakers at AHCs June Issues Forum Set The American Horse Councils National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold, the makers of Adequan, on June 24 in Washington, DC has been finalized and will feature panels from across the horse industry on Where Have All the Horses Gone. While this topic has been addressed at various organizations meetings, it is the first time it will be discussed so broadly with representatives from breed registries, racing, showing, trainers, disciplines, veterinarians and other stakeholders addressing the situation as it affects them. Anyone interested in attending the forum can sign up on the AHCs website at horsecouncil.org With the precipitous fall-off in the number of registered horses over the last ten years, it will be interesting to get the perspectives of various organizations, breeds, disciplines, and stakeholders on why this is happening and what the ramifications will be. It may affect various parts of the horse industry differently, but it will affect the entire horse community. Tim Capps, Director of the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville, will be the keynote speaker and will try to put the situation in context. Have we been here before? What does it mean? Does the industry even have the data to make such determinations and plan for the future? Mr. Capps has been involved with various sectors of the horse industry throughout his professional life and brings his experience and academic background to the issue. The Forum will also feature three panels featuring a cross-section of leaders of breed registries, trainers and other stakeholders offering their thoughts on the drop. The panels will include racing leaders, showing leaders, breed registries and other sectors that support the industry and rely on a healthy industry for growth. Scheduled to speak are: Jeff Blea, DVM, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners; Debbie Fuentes, Registrar/Sr. Director of Registry and Member Services, Arabian Horse Association: Jim Gagliano, President & COO, The Jockey Club; Jim McGarvey, Chairman, Back Country Horsemen of America; Josh Pons, Maryland Horse Breeders Association; Lori Rawls, Executive Director, U.S. Equestrian Federation; Robin Richards, President, National HBPA; Cynthia Richardson, President, Arabian Horse Association; Don Treadway, Executive Vice President, American Quarter Horse Association; Rick Violette, President, New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association; and Scott Wells, President & General Manager, Remington Park Racing Casino. This years National Issues Forum will be held on Tuesday, June 24, in Washington, DC during the AHCs annual convention. The annual meeting will run from June 22 to 25 at the Washington Court Hotel. Attendees will also be provided an update on Time to Ride, an initiative of the American Horse Councils Marketing Alliance, by Patti Colbert, of PCE Enterprises. Time to Ride has launched an ambitious national campaign and contest with a goal of introducing 100,000 new people to a horse experience between May 31 and September 7, 2014. Nationwide, 1,000 members of the horse community will have the opportunity to compete for $100,000 in cash and prizes in three different categories based upon size. Up to 1,000 hosts may enter Time to Rides 100 Day Horse Challenge. This is an exciting and unprecedented effort to grow the industry and fits right in with the main topic of the Issues Forum. There will also be an update on the industrys National Equine Health Plan and the Equine Disease Communication Center by Dr. Nat White, past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. White has been spearheading efforts to draft a National Equine Health Plan. Central to that plan is an Equine Disease Communication Center to coordinate and disseminate timely and accurate information about diseases in general and outbreaks when they occur. Plans have moved forward for such a communications center and Dr. White will update attendees on those efforts. The AHCs convention will also include the AHCs Congressional Reception, the Congressional Ride-In, and meetings of all AHC committees and the Unwanted Horse Coalition. House Committee Approves USDA Appropriations Bill On May 29, 2014, the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations bill. This bill provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2015 fiscal year (October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015). The bill contains several provisions that impact the horse industry, including funding for USDA equine health activities, enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and a provision that would prohibit funding for USDA inspections at U.S. horse slaughter facilities. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of 2015 Agriculture Appropriations bill on May 22. Information about that bill can be found at: horsecouncil.org/senate-committee-approves-usda-appropriations-bill FY 2015 House USDA Appropriations Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Equine Health The bill would provide $867.5 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS is the USDA agency responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, including responding to contagious equine disease outbreaks. Funding for Equine, Cervid, and Small Rumiant health would be set at $19.5 million, this is the same amount that was appropriated in FY 2014. Horse Slaughter Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) offered an amendment to prohibit funding for USDA inspections at U.S. horse slaughter facilities that passed by a 28-22 vote. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) spoke in opposition to the amendment. Such a prohibition would prevent horse slaughter facilities from operating in the U.S. There is currently a prohibition on funding for inspectors at such facilities that expires on September 30, 2014. For several years beginning in 2005 the USDA was prohibited from funding inspections at horse slaughter facilities. But, the FY 2012 USDA appropriations bill lifted that ban on funding and would have allowed horse processing to resume. However, no horse slaughter facilities opened or resumed operating before funding was again prohibited by the FY 2014 USDA appropriations bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an identical amendment when it marked up the Senate version of the bill. Horse Protection Act The bill provides $697,000 for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, this is the same amount that was appropriated in FY 2014. Michigan Horse Council Meeting Letter to the MHC Membership According to previous vote of the general Board of Directors, the September MHC Board Meeting has been held on the second Tuesday of the month. This change was suggested and voted upon, and approved by the general Board of Directors, since the first Tuesday of September immediately follows the Labor Day holiday weekend, and many trail riders, horse show people and generally other horsemen arrive home from their weekend activities either late on Monday, or even Tuesday. Therefore, many were not willing to make the drive to Lansing to attend a meeting on Tuesday evening. Also, the Tuesday following Labor Day is officially the first day of school, putting an additional burden on parents of school-age children. At the May meeting, President Jan Wolfin announced that the September meeting was changed to the first Tuesday of September, or September 2nd, making the meeting the day following Labor Day and on the first official day of school. This was not presented to the membership for a vote, yet the MHC by-laws state: 5.10 Regular Meetings. All meetings shall be held within the State of Michigan. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at a time and place determined by resolution of the Board. Notice shall be given at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting. The Board of Directors may provide for other meetings by resolution. So.......when is the September meeting? Is it the second Tuesday, which is September 9, as previously voted and approved by the Board of Directors.......or is it the first Tuesday, which is September 2, as changed by the President without Board approval? For anyone interested, a complete copy of the by-laws of the Michigan Horse Council is available on the MHC website, michiganhorsecouncil, under the heading About Us. Also, while according to current MHC by-laws, the secretary is to: b. Prepare and distribute copies of the minutes of each Board of Directors meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and the annual meetings to all Michigan Horse Council members within twenty-five (25) days following each meeting. Since this has not been done, things that were proposed at both the May regular board meeting and the May Executive Committee meeting will need to be voted upon at the September meeting. All members should be aware of these proposals, and be prepared to vote accordingly. In the By-Laws, under Article VI, Standing and Ad Hoc Committees: 6.03. Committee Chairpersons. Committee Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President and RATIFIED by the Board of Directors. At the May general MHC meeting, president Jan Wolfin, nominated Chad Simpson (delegate for Waterloo Horsemens Association) and Gabrielle Hume (delegate for Shiawassee Trail Riders) as Co-Chairs of the Trails Committee. At the May Executive Committee meeting, president Jan Wolfin, nominated Kristine Layman (1st Alternate Delegate for Shiawassee Trail Riders) as Finance Committee Chair; Sandi Roath (current MHC Secretary and Delegate for Michigan Fox Trotter Association) at Membership Chair; and Barb Drake (2nd alternate Delegate for Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders Association) as Chair of the Expo Committee. These all need to be voted on by the entire MHC BOARD OF DIRECTORS at the SEPTEMBER MEETING to either APPROVE or DISAPPROVE these nominations. MOST IMPORTANT is the nomination of Barb Drake to replace ANN LOUISE BUDD as EXPO CHAIR. Ann Louise has led the Michigan Horse Expo to its current prominent place among state Horse Expos, well thought of by exhibitors, clinicians, vendors, those attending, and other state Horse Councils. While final bills from the 2014 Michigan Horse Expo are not all in, preliminary reports show an increase in attendance, especially on Sunday, and an increase in profit, despite the very hard Michigan winter and depressed economy. This has occurred when some other state Horse Councils have had to cancel their state Horse Expos, due to lack of enough financial support. IS IT REALLY THE TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE? From a Concerned Member Name Withheld Upon Request Sharing Trails Safely Congratulations to PLTRA for working to resolve multiple user trail issues! What a great idea....so bikers will approach horses from the front, instead of from behind! Pontiac Lake Trail Riders Association is working with the DNR and the Mountain Bike Association on making the trails a safer ride for everyone. As of now, it is suggested that horse riders travel clockwise on the green, yellow and orange trails and counter clockwise on the red trails. There will be signs up soon with directional arrows. In a related article in the June issue of Western Horseman, written by contributing editor Ryan T. Bell. For the complete article and others, visit his website at ryantbell. Volunteering benefits horsemen in ways beyond opening trail access. By rubbing elbows with hikers, mountain bikers and local landowners,horsemen can foster a spirit of camaraderie and understanding among all backcountry user groups. Take for example, the unlikely partnership in southwest Montana between the Gallatin Valley chapter of Back County Horsemens Association and a mountain bike advocacy group called Montana Mountain Bike Association. They frequent the same trails in the Gallatin National Forest, and each summer they join forces to clear trails together. The outing had unintended outcomes, too. The horses quickly became accustomed to the presence of bikes and the bikers learned something about how to act around horses. Now, when we see mountain bikers in the backcountry, they are our friends, not our enemies. Cleared trails and clearer understanding--thats the power of National Trails Day. Heres the Latest on Urban/Suburban Farming! Working group forming to talk farm animals, urban chickens By Rosemary Parker | LANSING, MI -- The chairman of the Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee has asked the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to form a working group to continue the discussion of urban and suburban agriculture and the siting of farm animals in the wake of a controversial change in the Michigan Right to Farm requirements. Sen. Joe Hune, (R), of the 22nd District, presided over Thursday mornings continuation of a May 15 hearing about changes in the livestock siting Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices, the rules by which farmers voluntarily abide to avoid nuisance lawsuits. The new rules give local officials the final word on operations that exist in newly defined residential neighborhoods.The changes, adopted by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture, generally remove state protection for operations with farm animals unless they are in areas zoned for agriculture. Senators Darwin Booher,(R) Majority Vice Chair, 35th District; Judy K. Emmons(R) 33rd District, and Geoff Hansen, (R) 34th District were present at Thursdays meeting, at which two township supervisors spoke in support of new requirements that were blasted when the committee convened last week to hear from citizens who were upset by changes they fear will take away any protections they had been given under the Right to Farm Act. The author of an online petition opposing the action that attracted more than 40,000 signatures presented those names to legislators last week. Although many of those signing the petition were from out of state, and some even from out of the country, one of the senators noted Thursday that 1,250 of the petition names were from his district. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson Jennifer Holton communications director, said a timeline for establishment of a working group has not yet been developed, nor has the membership of such a group yet been considered. In the meantime, changes to the rules about where farm animals are allowed to be kept and still be in compliance with Right to Farm guidelines are in effect, she said. Theres a lot of interest in urban agriculture, Holton said, and as we have maintained, it needs to be done in a way that is thoughtful of all residents. This is a good opportunity to continue discussion. Trail Masters Certification Course The Wisconsin Horse Council presents its 10th Trail Master Certification course presented by Trail Design Specialists, Inc. (TDS) to be held this year in Lowes Lake Park, in Monches, WI. Lowes Lake is a unit of the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest and is located west of Germantown. The instructor will be Mike Riter of TDS. The 4-day course starts on July 9th through July 12th. Class will run from 8:30 through 4:00 daily including the 1st and last days. All days must be attended to complete the course. This course will cover the latest advances in trail design, construction and maintenance with a focus on long term sustainability and ease of maintenance. The last day will be field application on the concepts we covered on the previous days interspersed with leadership techniques for working with volunteers. A detailed booklet specific to each segment will be provided. The course consists of three interactive classroom sessions covering the topics listed below. Trail Design and Layout We will cover advances on how to properly design and layout a trail. We will discuss how to avoid erosion, user conflicts, and impact problems through design. This session will give you a good working knowledge of what causes trails to erode through water/soil relationships. An outdoor session will consist of a series of flagging and layout drills designed to utilize the concepts covered in the classroom. Trail Construction We will cover proper corridor clearing for all types of use and proper construction of a durable tread surface. Various types of tread construction, cribbing and raised tread sections, switchbacks and a section on bridges and boardwalks are also included. An outdoor session will consist of construction techniques covered in the classroom. A demonstration of tread construction machinery may be included. Trail Maintenance We will cover maintenance issues on trails. We will discuss how to make long term repairs and lower environmental impacts. Trail hardening techniques along with rehabilitation of disused trails will also be covered. The outdoor session will consist of maintenance techniques covered in the classroom. Crew Leader This portion of the program will be held entirely outdoors and will give each student the opportunity to lead a crew. The day will be broken into three sessions. At the end of the third session certificates for those that completed the course will be issued. Interested in attending? Contact: Margie Kraege for details and any questions ilovestrike@yahoo or 608-235-8302 Dates: July 9-12 Deadline to register: June 12th (Late registration? please call for extension) Location: Lowes Lake, west of Germantown Fees: $450 PLUS a non-refundable deposit A non-refundable deposit to cover meals must be paid in advance. This fee can be paid by credit card below. Payment assures that you are registered. Non-refundable deposit is $50 per person for WDNR employees and $100 for non-WDNR participants. Motels are available in the Germantown area; Super 8 and Holiday Inn Express. Camping is available at Pike Lake State Park. Tractor Supply Company, 4-H set new donation record Tractor Supply Company, in partnership with National 4-H Council, recently announced the record-breaking fundraising results of its spring 2014 Paper Clover Campaign. Tractor Supply Company, the largest retail farm and ranch supply store chain in the United States, raised an astounding $787,769 during the 12-day national in-store fundraiser, breaking the record for most monetary donations during the fouryear collaboration. Tractor Supply has raised almost $4 million for 4-H programs across the country through Paper Clover Campaigns in just four years. Shoppers at Tractor Supply Company and Dels Feed and Food Supply stores had the opportunity to purchase paper clovers between April 23 - May 4 for a $1 or more during checkout. Seventy percent of the funds raised benefit state and local 4-H youth development program activities, such as local camps and after-school programs, and granted scholarships for 4-H youth in the communities where Tractor Supply and Dels stores are located. Thirty percent of the total funds are donated to National 4-H Council to help connect more young people across America to high-quality 4-H youth development programs. This springs Paper Clover Campaign was a huge success thanks to our dedicated customers, said John Wendler, senior vice president of Marketing for Tractor Supply Company. We exceeded our goal, and we couldnt have done it without them. These campaigns give us the opportunity to enhance our stores communities and provide support to our valued partner in National 4-H Council and its local programs. We are thrilled with the result of our spring Paper Clover Campaign, said Jennifer Sirangelo, president & CEO, National 4-H Council. Through this important relationship with Tractor Supply Company, we raise the necessary resources to empower 4-H educators across many local communities in the United States to make a positive impact in the lives of more young people. Tractor Supply Company and National 4-H Council now look ahead to their fall Paper Clover Campaign set for Oct. 8-19, 2014. Tractor Supply Company stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Tractor Supply Company stores are located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets including select Purina and Nutrena brand feeds; a broad selection of agricultural products; and tools and hardware selected for our customers needs. In addition, the company sells light truck equipment, work clothing for the entire family, and an extensive line of seasonal products including lawn and garden power equipment products. For more information on Tractor Supply, access the website at TractorSupply. 4-H is a community of seven million young people around the world learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the United States, 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension through more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries. Learn more about 4-H at 4-H.org. Winning Non-motorized Trail Grants: How to Up the Odds By Scott Post, PE Have a written Recreation Plan, and designate non-motorized trails as your #1 priority. Commit as high a matching fund percentage as possible. Put a matching funds line item in your annual budget, so you can stockpile cash and react to an opportunity. Better yet, propose a millage for trails or parks. Many communities have discovered their constituents easily pass these millages. Provide connections to existing trails and trail networks, locally and especially regionally. Connect existing parks and schools together and with commercial and residential areas. Provide handicapped accessibility. Provide fishing or wildlife viewing opportunities. Have preliminary design completed and ready to go when funds become available. Your project doesnt need to be shovel ready, but if preliminary design is complete it can easily be finished to the particular requirements of any grant program. If not, at least have a good cost estimate ready so you do not request too little grant funding. Develop your operations and maintenance plan and budget before building your trail or applying for grants. This shows funders your commitment to being a good steward of their money. Develop a Friends of the Trail group. This shows community support, commitment, and organization. Friends groups are typically official non-profit entities. This way private donations to your trail project are tax deductible! Michigan State University Extension names interim director Margaret (Maggie) Bethel has been named interim director of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. The announcement was made today by Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Additionally, Ray Hammerschmidt, professor of plant pathology and associate chair in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, has been named interim associate director of MSU Extension. Bethel will replace Thomas Coon, MSU Extension director for the past decade, who was recently named vice president, dean and director for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. Hammerschmidt will replace Stephen Lovejoy, associate director of MSU Extension. Lovejoy will be leaving his role and will retain his faculty appointments in the departments of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; and Sociology. He is interested in pursuing other responsibilities within the university. I would like to thank Tom Coon for his many years of leadership here at MSU. He helped MSU Extension navigate some extremely difficult financial times and served an important leadership role in the college, said Poston. I would also like to thank Steve Lovejoy for his service. His expertise helped us find our way through challenges facing MSU Extension. His passion for the mission of Extension is unparalleled. Bethel, who served as MSU Extension director from 2001 to 2005, was invited out of retirement to lead MSU Extension on a temporary basis, Poston said. Having worked with both Maggie and Ray very successfully in the past, I am confident that they will help us build upon the solid foundation set by Tom and Steve, Poston said. Bethel and Hammerschmidt begin working in their new roles on July 1. Jimsonweed - a poisonous plant that may be found in or around your horse pasture Good pasture management practices and skill in identifying poisonous plants are important measures to prevent plant poisonings of your horse. by Tom Guthrie, Michigan State University Extension Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a large summer annual that emerges May through mid-June. Photo by Tom Guthrie, Michigan State University Extension The danger of poisonous plants depends on the plants prevalence, toxicity and palatability. Generally speaking, horses will avoid consuming most toxic plants if other forage is available. However, the risks of plant poisoning still exists if toxic plants are present. Good pasture management practices and honing your skills to be able to identify poisonous plants are important measures to prevent plant poisonings of your horse. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a large summer annual (up to 5 feet tall) that typically emerges May through mid-June. Other common names include Jamestown weed, thorn apple, downy thornapple, devils trumpet, angels trumpet, mad apple and stinkwort. Jimsonweed can be recognized by its distinctive tree -like shape, white to purple trumpet or funnel shaped flowers that are produced starting in June and prickly seed capsules. Photo Source: Tom Guthrie, Michigan State University Extension Jimsonweed has long been known to be toxic all classes of livestock and to humans as well. Horses rarely consume Jimsonweed if other forage is available because of its foul odor and taste. All parts of the Jimsonweed plant are poisonous in which toxicity is caused by tropane alkaloids. Symptoms of poisoning in horses may occur within minutes to several hours and may include: seeking water to drink, dilated pupils, agitation, increased heart rate, trembling, convulsions, coma and possibly death. Methods for controlling Jimsonweed can range from mechanical to chemical. For chemical control options you may refer to the 2014 Michigan State University Extension Weed Control Guide for Field Crops, Table 4B - Weed Response to Herbicides in Established Forage Grasses. It is important to remember that if you choose to use a herbicide for control method, be sure to carefully read the label for grazing restrictions that may apply. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit msue.msu.edu. To contact an expert in your area, visit expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). 35th Annual Ag Expo, July 22-24 at Michigan State University EAST LANSING, Mich.-Ag Expo, the states largest outdoor farm show, returns to Michigan State University July 22-24. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has lined up another show for the agricultural community and anyone else who is interested in learning about Michigans agriculture industry. As in years past, the 35th annual Ag Expo will showcase a wide variety of educational and commercial activities, including nearly 200 exhibits featuring products and services that provide Michigan agricultural producers with new knowledge and opportunities to have another successful year. Ag Expo is known for being Michigans supreme source for the latest technology in agricultural production. The show will also offer research findings from CANR faculty members, and a full schedule of educational demonstrations dedicated to providing Michigan farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage successful farms. We really try to make this event something special, and I think the agricultural community really embraces that, said CANR Dean Fred Poston. People come to Ag Expo from all over the state. Its an exciting opportunity for our college, MSU Extension and AgBioResearch to join together to benefit the public and learn from one another as well. Ag Expo visitors can view demonstrations related to equine pastures, sprayers, drones and biodiesel processing. A mortality composting demonstration will take place on Wednesday and there will be an air quality demonstration on Thursday. The CANR tent will provide hands-on learning for youth, including daily presentations on topics such as what you need to know about the Affordable Care Act, the 2014 Farm Bill and Smart Gardening. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 22 and 23, and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24. Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. For more information on Ag Expo, call 800-366-7055800-366-7055 or visit agexpo.msu.edu. The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources sponsors Ag Expo. Plans in works for agricultural museum in Michigan This image provided by the Agricultural Awareness & Preservation Museum shows an artist rendering of the proposed new agricultural museum in Blissfield, Mich. Rhode Island-based architect Friedrich St. Florian, who designed the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., said he was inspired by barns in the design for the 30,000-square-foot museum, which would be built in Blissfield, about 55 miles southwest of Detroit. He said the design was obvious and he wanted to use a structure that was a versatile and flexible part of the family farm. Photo: Agricultural Awareness & Preservations Museum, AP BLISSFIELD, Mich. (AP) - A new agricultural museum in Michigan would include a collection of 6,000 farm toys as well as displays on the history of agriculture and agriculture technology, organizers said. Rhode Island-based architect Friedrich St. Florian, who designed the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., showed a design concept last week for the Agricultural Awareness and Preservation Museum, The Daily Telegram of Adrian reported . St. Florian said he was inspired by barns in the design for the 30,000-square-foot museum, which would be built in Blissfield, about 55 miles southwest of Detroit. He said the design was obvious and he wanted to use a structure that was a versatile and flexible part of the family farm. I wanted to start with a barn, he said. But you cant just copy in architecture. With architecture, you have to be inspired. The museum is designed as three connected barns. The museum would have two floors with the upper mezzanine overlooking the entire main floor. The site is adjacent to farmland, which could be used as a classroom setting and a demonstration farm, St. Florian said. But the heart of the museum will be the farm toys, said Melissa Growden, marketing coordinator and secretary of the museums board. The museum board looked at several different possible sites, but decided on Blissfield because of its rich agricultural heritage. Fundraising is taking place for the project. Plans call for the museum to be built at the site of the former Blissfield Canning Co. The village bought the 35-acre property about four years ago, and village President Mike Gunter said the village council supports the idea for a museum at the site. We see a lot of potential for what this can do for the village and for Lenawee County, Gunter said. This embraces Blissfield, it embraces our history, our heritage. To have something along these lines come into the village, it fits, it just makes sense. At MHC - Its all about the horses Join and Support MHC Today !!! click here Forward this email This email was sent to [email protected] by m.marilyngraff@frontier | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Michigan Horse Council | PO Box 22008 | Lansing | MI | 48909-2008
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:08:35 +0000
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