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Rural Industries
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|| Introduction || Project listing|| Project Summaries ||
The horse industry is one of Australia's biggest industries and is worth more than $15 billion per year. There are more than 1.2 million horses used for racing, equestrian sports and recreation and there is a large breeding industry, with Australia producing the second highest number of thoroughbred foals in the world, after the USA.
In 1995, RIRDC appointed an Equine R&D Advisory Committee to oversee a R&D program, following agreement by the Australian Conference of Principal Racing Clubs to provide significant financial support for an equine R&D program.
The Committee oversees the investment of government and industry funds in equine R&D projects, and works closely with the Australian Horse Council in promoting and integrating the R&D program.
Research Highlights for 1996-97
· Production of a RIRDC Equine Research Newsletter, which has become
a major vehicle for dissemination of information about the R&D program.
· Evaluation of best practices for maintenance and management of
grass racetracks to improve turf composition, longevity and quality.
· Production of a major book 'Pastures for Horses: A Winning Resource',
to help the industry enhance the management and use of pasture. This book
has been a best seller and the first print run has sold out.
· Identification of current agronomic practices on thoroughbred
horse stud farms to help improve horse pasture management.
TURF SPECIES COMPOSITION AND MAINTENANCE OF GRASS RACETRACKS IN AUSTRALIA
Objectives
The main aims of the project were: · To provide information on best practice for maintenance and management of turf composition in the major environmental areas. · To identify key problems and recommendations for alternative turf species and practices. · To identify attributes for developing effective turfgrass swards for racetracks. · To determine the most important research needs.
Background
Australia has one of the largest racing industries in the world, with more than 3,600 race meetings each year on 410 registered racecourses. Most racecourses operate a grass track which poses problems for turf composition, longevity and quality. Importantly, the management of the tracks can affect racing conditions and has important implications for horse and jockey safety.
Research
These tasks were undertaken by: · A mail survey of 82 track managers at metropolitan, inner provincial and regional racetracks throughout Australia. · Visits to 17 racecourses to enable assessment of the tracks and discussions with racetrack managers about major problems. · A workshop for racetrack managers, industry personnel and research workers to discuss priorities for research.
Outcomes
There was considerable variation between clubs in the number of meetings per year, with city clubs ranging from 14 to 50 meetings (average 34) and country clubs ranging from 7 to 64 (average 22). The maximum track capacity was 20 for city racetracks and 14 to 16 for country racetracks. The width of the tracks varied considerably and ranged from 19 to 35 metres for city racetracks and 15 to 36 metres for country racetracks.
One of the major problems in managing racetracks is the use of the tracks for training, and more than 70% of the courses permitted trainers to have access to the course proper. Maintenance of racetracks includes the use of fertilisers but there is considerable variation in fertiliser application and the fertiliser requirements for grass racetracks are not known. Excessive fertiliser application could have some damaging environmental effects.
A key issue at most tracks is the problem of racetrack "crossings", where horses cross the racetrack. Further research is needed to examine the use of "turf-similar" surfaces on such crossings.
Kikuyu is the main grass species but at country tracks, ryegrass swards were the major grass used on 33% of the tracks surveyed. Irrigation of the tracks is practised by most clubs and metropolitan clubs spent an average of $15,000 per annum (range up to $700,000 per annum). This was based mostly on experience of the racetrack managers and better methods are required for measuring the actual track water needs.
Implications
The workshop of racetrack managers, industry personnel and research workers identified the following priority areas for further research and development: · Development of standards/specifications for racetrack construction/renovation relative to soil physics, soil profiles, track use and maintenance. · Development of equipment for evaluation of grass racing surfaces (eg: rating of the track conditions), taking account of horse biomechanics, welfare and safety. · Collation and assessment of currently available information in areas such as fertiliser-plant nutrition, drainage systems and plan species. · Development of effective information dissemination systems to assist track managers maintaining up to-date technology. · Improving the communication between race clubs by development of newsletters, workshops and formation of a National Racetrack Managers Association.
RIRDC Project No: TGT-1A
| RESEARCHERS:
ORGANISATION:
|
Mr J Neylan
Turfgrass Technology Pty Ltd, |
Dr P Mullaney
Primary Tasks Pty Ltd, 03 9741 5272 |
MELATONIN IMPLANTS IN THE HORSE
Objectives
· To investigate the adaption of commercially available Melatonin
implants to the horse.
· To establish an effective and viable mode of administering implants
into the horse for future studies.
Background
The pineal gland hormone Melatonin is involved in the natural mechanism utilised by seasonal breeding species to time reproductive activity to the most advantageous time of the year.
While there is considerable commercial interest in the control and manipulation of the horse's breeding season there has been limited investigations into the precise role that Melatonin plays.
In order to conduct future studies an effective means of artificially delivering Melatonin needs to be established, especially with consideration to large scale field-based trials.
Research
As the only commercially available Melatonin implants were developed for use in the sheep, the study had to first determine the number and suitability of these implants in the horse. Secondly, the study was to determine an efficient and effective mode of administering implants to the horse.
Outcomes
This report concludes that a minimum of 4 Regulin@ (Hoechst Animal Health) implants are sufficient to maintain horse plasma Melatonin levels at, or above, physiological levels for at least 12 weeks. No ill-effects were noted in any animals in response to the implants. In addition a multi-implant gun, available commercially, was demonstrated to be highly suitable to accurate and rapid administration of the implants.
Implications
A protocol has been established for the effective delivery of Melatonin implants to the horse on a large scale for future field-based trails.
RIRDC Project No: UA-36A
RESEARCHER: Michael V Guerin
ORGANISATION: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
The University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
WOODVILLEE SA 5011
PHONE: 08 8222 6788 FAX: 08 8268 7978
PRODUCTION OF AN EQUINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
Objective
· To disseminate information on latest research and development initiatives both within the Equine Research and Development Program of RIRDC and important information from research development overseas. The newsletter aims to provide much needed liaison between the research work done in universities and its use by end users within the equine industry.
Background
Australia produces some of the most important equine research in the world and a variety of scientific papers are produced each year. There is a large body of international scientific research produced and published in scholarly journals. While this is an important and necessary part of the scientific process, it is difficult for people in the equine industry to obtain access to and understand the information from the scientific papers.
To bridge this gap and to enable the equine industry in Australia to have access to the latest research findings, a newsletter published quarterly was proposed to be disseminated widely to all major horse industry groups. Such a newsletter would fulfil important objectives with disseminating information about the RIRDC Equine Research and Development Program as well as providing information on current international research written in a language understandable by people in the industry.
Research
The first phase of the research and development was to establish a large database of all key horse industry groups in Australia and also those with whom it is important to liaison with internationally. This database now has been extensively developed and contains more than three hundred major horse industry groups with twenty of the most important horse research and development organisations internationally.
The aim of the newsletter was to provide information to each of the main industry sectors from major scientific journal databases available on line as well as the key specialist international journals. This information has been written up in a format which is readable and has appropriate illustrative material. Furthermore the progress of specific RIRDC funded projects is detailed in the newsletter.
Outcomes
The material has been disseminated very widely to major industry groups and is then further published by a range of commercial magazines as well a specific journals published by horse breed societies. These include the State Racing Calenders, The Australian Quarter Horse Journal, The Australian Stock Horse Association Journal, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and magazines such as Hoofs and Horns.
The newsletter of eight pages has been published every three months and each newsletter has contained an interview with a person involved in research in an area that is topical. In addition, the newsletter contains summaries of research being undertaken overseas of relevance to the industry and news about current projects or important research outcomes from the research and development undertaken in Australia.
Implications
One of the major problems for the equine industry has been obtaining access to independent scientific information in a format which is both useful and palatable. The Equine Research and Development Newsletter has bridged the gap between the scientific production of information and material that can be used and understood by people within the horse industry. Such information is very important if results of research are to reach end users and research outcomes are to change practices within the horse industry.
RIRDC Project No: US-31A
RESEARCHER: Reuben Rose
ORGANISATION: Rural Veterinary Centre, University of Sydney,
410 Werombi Road, CAMDEN NSW 2570
PHONE: 046 552 000 FAX: 046 551 212
PASTURE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR THE HORSE INDUSTRY
Objective
· To enhance the pasture management skills in the horse industry by developing an improved advisory service that encompasses publications and workshops on pasture management for horses.
Background
There are approximately 1.5 million horses in Australia many of which make an important contribution to the economy. Every year Australia produces the second highest number of thoroughbred foals in the world.
The most profitable and possibly the best way to produce and maintain horses is on pasture. A long growing season provides the Australian horse industry with an international competitiveness over countries where growing seasons are short and horses must be produced indoors.
The international success of New Zealand horses has been largely attributed to their pasture-based diet, yet the Australian horse industry has been slow to recognise pasture as a valuable resource and remains heavily dependant on supplementary feed.
Supplements are fed because they are easier and perceived as better than pasture. Yet supplementary feed is expensive, especially when the majority of horses needs can be satisfied by pasture. Pasture is an inexpensive feed source, a fact recognised by other grazing industries. It also allows for exercise and social interaction.
Research
This project reviewed existing knowledge on pasture management for horses and combined this information with information from other grazing enterprises to develop an information package appropriate to horse owners and managers throughout the industry.
Outcomes
· A highly popular pasture management publication titled Pastures
For Horses: A Winning Resource.
· Presentation material on pasture management that is accessible
to agronomists when delivering information to the horse industry.
· Improved advisory service for the horse industry (copies of the
manual to agricultural centers).
· Enhanced pasture knowledge of the horse industry (manual, stud
visits, industry presentations and articles).
· Highlighting the lack of specific pasture information for the
Australian horse industry and the need for a feed testing service that
can estimated the nutritive value to horses of pastures.
RIRDC Project No: DAV-105A
RESEARCHER: Angela Avery
ORGANISATION: Agriculture Victoria Institute for Integrated Agricultural
Development, RMB 1145 Chiltern Valley Road, RUTHERGLEN VIC 3685 PHONE:
060 304 500 FAX: 060 304 600
DELAYING OVULATION IN CYCLING MARES
Objective
· To examine the possibility of delaying ovulation in cycling mares.
Background
Delaying ovulation would have substantial benefits for the horse breeding industry by increasing the precise control of ovulation time. If achievable, more mares could be bred using stallions with heavy mating schedules. In addition where artificial insemination is possible, mares could have their ovulation time synchronised for shipment of transported semen.
The normal practices on thoroughbred breeding farms is to palpate mares in oestrus every other day to determine the optimum time for breeding. Because the breeding season is limited, stallions may be required to breed three to four mares per day during the peak of the breeding season and most stallions will not tolerate this heavy schedule. Current practices are to hasten ovulation by the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin to induce ovulation within 36 hours of the drug administration.
There has been little focus on the possibility of delaying ovulation. If achievable, the benefits of this to the equine breeding industry would be to increase the precise control of ovulation time in mares. Ovulation time could be delayed to avoid re-cycling mares when a stallion either is not present or is unable to breed at the recommended time.
Research
Thirty normally cycling barren mares maintained on pasture were used in the study. The mares were examined an early oestrus and ultra sound examinations were used to determine when the follicles were between 30-35mm in size. Three treatment groups were used: · Controls, which were those injected with saline. · Treatment with dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that had previously been identified as being capable of suppressing follicular development. · Treatment with gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue, Deslorelin which is known to hasten ovulation.
The mares were followed by ultra sonography of the ovary to monitor follicular size and to determine the time of ovulation.
Outcomes
The results demonstrated that the control mares ovulated in a mean time of 61.3 hours which was not statistically significantly different from the dexamthasone treated group where the ovulation time was 54.7 hours. The group treated with gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue ovulated in significantly less time (40.5 hours) than either the corticosteroid treated group or control mares. The results showed that the corticosteroid chosen for this experiment, dexamethasone was not capable of delaying ovulation in the mare.
Implications
The research undertaken in this project has clearly demonstrated that corticosteroids are unlikely to be beneficial in delaying ovulation in cycling mares. However the issue is an important one for the breeding industry and plans are being made for a further study to examine the possibility that an anti-oestrogen or an anti-luteinising hormone compound may provide the answer to delaying ovulation.
RIRDC Project No: GVE-2A
RESEARCHER: Dr Angus McKinnon
ORGANISATION: Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Goulburn Valley Highway,
SHEPPARTON VIC 3630
PHONE: 03 5829 9566 FAX: 03 5829 9307
EMAIL: aom@mail.sheppnews.com.au
A STUDY OF THE GREY HORSE MELANOMA
Objectives
· To understand the basis biology of melanoma in the horse
and to determine whether horses with different patterns of coat dilutions
are at different levels of disease risk and whether there is a sex predilection.
· To examine the tumour at the light and electron microscope level
to prescribe the pathology.
Background
Horse melanomas are a widely recognised but poorly understood condition. There is a high prevalence in grey horses and where there are extensive lesions rejection of horses for slaughter at export abattoirs.
Research
Ninety seven grey horse and 16 coloured horses were examined at a pet food abattoir. The age of each horse was estimated and sex recorded together with pattern of coat colour, presence or absence of vitilago or externally visible lesions. Horses were said to have generalised disease if it was found in four or more sites.
Outcomes
Horses aged greater than 7 years had a higher incidence than those aged less than 7 years. All grey horses aged greater than 15 years had melanoma but there was no effect of sex. Generalised disease was found in 25% of horses less than 7 years, 36% of horses 7-15 years and 72% of horses greater than 15 years. No differences were found between different patterns of coat colour dilution and the prevalence of lesions.
A dapple pattern was most common in young horses but a flea bitten pattern was most common in older horses. Presence or absence of vitilago had no effect on the prevalence of melanomas. Of 53 horses with no melanomas detectable prior to death, 10 were subsequently found to have generalised disease.
Implications
It is clear that melanoma in grey horses is common and increases in significance with age. While the finding of melanoma prior to slaughter at export abattoirs is helpful in predicting the generalised disease, about 20% of horses with no melanomas detectable subsequently were found to have generalised disease. Studies of the pathology of melanoma found that there are few features in common with malignant melanomas in other species.
RIRDC Project No: UQ-28A
RESEARCHERS: R H Sutton and G T Coleman
ORGANISATION: Division of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary
Science, The University of Queensland, LAWES QLD 4072
PHONE: 07 3365 2341 FAX: 07 3365 1355
1997 RACECOURSE MANAGERS' CONFERENCE
Objective
· To improve inter-race club communication and education on issues of racetrack care and maintenance for the development of effective, overall strategies for racecourse management.
Background
A recent survey of grass racetracks in Australia found a wide variation in the level of race course management expertise and technical knowledge. Compounding the situation was a sense of isolation of many race course managers and an expressed need for more information relevant to their jobs.
RIRDC supported a Racetrack Managers Workshop in Rosehill in March 1996 which led to the planning and subsequent conduct of the 1997 Racecourse Managers Conference at Moonee Valley on April 17 and 18 1997.
Research
Program development was led by Mr Arthur Stubbs of Primary Tasks with the assistance of Fred Fox, Ian Trevethan and Lindsay Davies. The issues relating to racetrack constructions were considered and participants had the opportunity to inspect the recently renovated Moonee Valley Race Club racetrack. Dr Tony Field, currently based at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, was invited to present new information on assessment on racing surfaces in New Zealand and the conference made visits to several other racecourses in the Melbourne area. Financial support for the conference was provided by various sponsors, by registrations, and by Moonee Valley Racing Club as well as RIRDC.
Outcomes
The conference enabled racecourse managers to gain and exchange information and to learn from inspection and discussion in latest developments in track renovations, construction and management at major Melbourne city tracks. The conference was also an important means for an exchange of ideas between racecourse managers who were able to share experiences and problems and return to their clubs stronger in the knowledge of the craft.
Implications
The Racetrack Managers' Conference has led to a greater understanding of the principles of turf and other track maintenance with benefits accruing from improvement in track performance, appearance and life and associated economic and environmental advantages.
RIRDC Project No: PTP-6A
RESEARCHER: Mr Arthur Stubbs
ORGANISATION: Primary Tasks Pty Ltd, Carlton Clocktower Complex Unit 58,
Drummond Street CARLTON VIC 3053
PHONE: 03 9844 1135 FAX 03 9844 4554
AGRONOMIC PRACTICES ON THOROUGHBRED HORSE STUD FARMS
Objective
· To identify current agronomic practices on thoroughbred horse stud farms in eastern Australian in order to identify the scope for improvement in horse pasture management and to assess the sustainability of management practices with the further aim of reducing environmental degradation/contamination.
Background
Published information on the role of pastures in horse nutrition is very limited and there appears to be potential for reducing the current reliance on supplementary feeding. Surprisingly, little is known about the more general aspects of the agronomy of horse enterprises and the effects that such factors may have on pasture productivity, environmental sustainability and horse health. While there has been substantial work on horse pasture and grazing management overseas, particularly in North America, research in Australia has been rather limited.
In New Zealand there is far greater reliance on pastures as a contributor towards the nutritional needs of horses and it would seem that increasing the proportion of pasture use on Australian stud farms could be of significant economic benefit to the Australian horse industry. Before such a programme could be achieved further information about current agronomic practices within the Australian horse stud industry needs to be determined.
Research
To reflect a wide geographical range of the thoroughbred stud industry and to determine regional differences, five regions were surveyed: Darling Downs, Hunter Valley, outer Sydney, Riverina/South West Slopes and Euroa. These regions were delineated by broad similarities in topography, soil type and climate.
Twelve thoroughbred stud farms were chosen at random in each region for inclusion in the survey. The survey consisted of an interview conducted during a visit to each property and an assessment of botanical composition, soil pH and soil texture examination of representative paddocks of each pasture category present.
During the interview a comprehensive questionnaire was completed in consultation with the property manager or owner. The questionnaire reported information of property size, physical characteristics, management of crops, pastures and animal enterprises.
Representative paddocks suitable for the botanical composition examination, soil pH and texture and analysis were identified in consultation with the manager, for classification either as improved pastures, semi improved pastures or native pastures.
Outcomes
Stud farms varied widely in area, averaging from 136 ha in the outer Sydney region to 1159 ha in the Hunter Valley. This resulted in quite large differences in the numbers of horses present ranging from an average of 30 foals in the outer Sydney region to 156 in the Hunter Valley.
The other major factor affecting the horse numbers on each farm was the proportion of each stud farm which was used for horses. This varied from 1.7% to 100% with the lowest regional averages being 61% in the Riverina/South West Slopes to a high of 93% in the Euroa district.
Other activities on the stud farm included cropping and grazing of cattle and sheep. Supplementary feed was widely used in all regions but in the Euroa district relatively high stocking rates appeared to be maintained without high levels of nutritional supplementation. Soil acidity was worst in the Riverina/South West Slopes and Euroa districts with a mean pH lower than 6 in all pasture categories. The Darling Downs region had soil pH values closest to neutral.
Most stud farm owners and managers made their decisions on pasture management based on experience rather than formal training or education. Longer term research needs identified by stud managers included the development of pasture species with improved productivity and persistence.
Implications
There appears to be substantial room for improving the information base relating to pasture management on horse stud farms. This may be able to be achieved by agricultural extension and education using techniques such as distance education and short courses in pasture management. Extension of this type of information should lead to more efficient use of pastures and significant returns to the horse breeding industry.
RIRDC Project No: UNE - 31A
RESEARCHERS: G M Gurr, S C Aston, E R Hunt W M Wheatley and R A Woodward
ORGANISATION: Orange Agricultural College,
PO Box 883, ORANGE NSW 2800
PHONE: 063 635551 FAX: 063 635590
Last updated: 22 October1997
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