Women managing the farm
A state conference, “Women Managing the Farm,” is planned for Feb. 12, 13 and 14 in Hutchinson. The conference will provide educational sessions along with opportunities for women to ask questions and allow them to network with other women in similar agriculture situations. Participants can choose from 25 sessions covering a wide range of topics including: finding balance; managing range and pasturelands; direct product marketing; landowner liability and fence laws; grain marketing; farm family business meetings; getting organized; managing risk with 2008 farm bill; insurance issues for farm families; Farm Service Agency; and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs.
Pre-registration is suggested for the conference. The option of a one-day registration is also available. To register go to www.womenmanagingthefarm.info or www.togpartners.com/wmf. Early registrations are due by Thursday.
Equine scientist doesn’t recommend feeding DDGS to horses
A Kansas State University researcher is advising against using distiller’s grains in horse rations. Teresa Slough, equine nutrition specialist with K-State Research and Extension office, said given the information researchers have so far, she would not recommend feeding DDGS to horses.
There has been little research done in feeding DDGS, a byproduct of the ethanol process, to horses. So far, the studies that have been done examined feeding DDGS for only a short period of time. However, Slough warns of disadvantages.
“Horses are very susceptible to fumonisin poisoning from moldy corn,” Slough said. “Fermentation during ethanol production doesn’t destroy the mold, rather it is concentrated. Feeding DDGS contaminated with fumonisin just once could cause death.”
DDGS also has a high phosphorous content.
“Unless other feedstuffs in the horse’s diet are very high in calcium, the potential exists to create a diet inversed in its Ca:P ratio and negatively affect bone development,” Slough said. “This is of particular concern with broodmares and foals.”
DDGS has a high sulfur content as well, which can result in colic, jaundiced mucous membranes, labored breathing, cyanosis and convulsions followed by death.