The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), in conjunction with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and other industry partners, will conduct a statewide equine survey in 2022.

Seventeen inches of rain in 24 hours were recorded in McEwen, a small town in West-Central Tennessee over the weekend of Aug. 21. And no, 17 is not a typo.

The newly launched Racecourse Manager Certification Program: Grader School is focused on educating the next generation of racecourse managers.

The Racecourse Manager Certification Program: Grader School, which will be held Sept. 13-15 at Keeneland Race Course, offers early career professionals the opportunity to develop highly focused, hands-on expertise that will allow them to adapt and excel to the changing demands of horse racing surfaces in Kentucky as well as around the world.

We have had numerous reports of fall armyworm egg masses in pastures and hayfields in Kentucky in mid-August and now significant damage is occurring from the caterpillars across the state.

Recently I was asked by a reporter to comment on the often-told story about why horses are so prominent in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

The story goes something like this, the high phosphorus and calcium in our soils result in grasses and other forages high in these nutrients, and as a result horses pastured here have stronger bones than horses from other regions.

Learn from Dr. Jennifer Janes, part of the University of Kentucky’s CSI team for horse diseases, conditions, and poisonings.

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Ag Equine Programs will host the annual Farm and Facilities Expo from 3:30 - 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the famed Spendthrift Farm, 247 Swigert Ave., Lexington. The event is free and open to the public. A meal will be provided for those in attendance.

Nancy Cox, University of Kentucky vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Len Coleman, former president of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs are recipients of The Jockey Club Medal.

Horses at a Central Kentucky career and technical high school have lush paddocks to graze on this school year thanks to help from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.  

Coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey can serve as an important benchmark in the health of the equine industry now and in the future.