Using an Equine Pasture Evaluation Disk (EPED) to Document Canopy Cover and Evaluate Pasture Improvement

Donna Foulk*, Ann Swinker, Marvin Hall, Helene McKernan; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

ConclusionWhen using the EPED, no difference was found between the EPED and line intercept to evaluate pastures of 4 ha or less, if at least 20 tosses are documented. Using the EPED increases accuracy, since data is collected from the entire pasture rather than a single point; as compared to a single line transect. The EPED is easy to use, faster, and less tedious than using line-intercept. Evaluating pastures supports the need for adoption of strategies to enhance pasture quality and to preserve vegetative cover in order to reduce sediment and nutrient loss on horse farms.

Results

Abstract # 129

Fig.1 Fig 2.

Objective

References1. M. Sanderson, S. Goslee, I. Gonet, and R. Stout. 2009 Pasture monitoring at a farm scale with the USDA NRCS pasture condition score system. 64, 6:423. 2. USDA, NRCS. 1997. 1997 National Resources Inventory (NRI) National Resources Inventory Data Collection Instructions.3. Swinker, A., Foulk, D., Malot, J., Truax, S., Weld, J., and Harper, M., 2010. Summary of equine pastures utilizing a line point transect to measure vegetative cover to reduce sediment and nutrient losses, enhancing pasture quality. J. Anim. Sci. 89:639-640.