The extraordinary rate at which biotech companies rolled out vaccines in response to the global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, aka COVID-19, is unprecedented. Typically, vaccine development and trials take five to 10 years. The ability to move so quickly on the COVID-19 vaccine has a lot to do with the billions of dollars provided for vaccine development but also because vaccine research was built on centuries of science.

The first several months of the year make up the bulk of the busy foaling season in Central Kentucky, so when the region’s farms and equine practitioners began noticing increases of diarrhea in foals ages 2 to 7 days old, there was concern.

University of Kentucky students are working to develop a helmet testing method and collect data that will hopefully serve as the start of a crushing-safety standard for equestrian helmets. 

Late winter is one of the best times of the year to assess fields and fencerows for presence of cool-season weeds. Further, the preferred time to implement control tactics can often be in March as daytime air temperatures begin to rise and are maintained above 55F. This is when cool-season weeds are younger and begin their active vegetative growth before initiating flowers later in the spring. Winter annual and biennial weeds typically germinate from seed in the fall and produce flowers during the spring.

Caroline Loos is a post-doctoral scholar in the laboratory of Kristine Urschel, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She found time in her busy schedule to answer questions about her research program at UK, and her experiences in the United States.  

A UK entomologist details what Kentuckians need to know about the periodical cicadas that will emerge this spring.

As the 2021 forage production season approaches, nitrogen (N) management will be a key component of soil fertility programs for pastures and hayfields. The following is an update on the fertilizer N sources that can be used to increase both yield and forage quality and inhibitors/stabilizers that can be used to prevent N losses.  

Jill Stowe, PhD, associate professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics, provided a high-level overview on what is brewing in equine markets for her presentation at the 10th Annual UK Equine Research Showcase. She reviewed her research on the impact of COVID-19 on Kentucky’s equine markets and the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey.

The University of Kentucky hosted the fourth and final session of its Equine Research Showcase Feb. 9. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. The session included several 10-minute mini presentations about hot topics in the area of equine research.

Scott Stanley, PhD, professor in the Gluck Equine Research Center, spoke about the Equine Biological Passport project ongoing in his laboratory. It’s a project that has been under way for several years, but is based now in Kentucky after Stanley relocated to UK a few years ago.

The University of Kentucky hosted the fourth and final session of its Equine Research Showcase Feb. 9. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. The session included several 10-minute mini presentations about hot topics in the area of equine research.

During one of those talks, Mick Peterson, PhD, professor in UK’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, gave a short talk on the Maintenance Quality System (MQS). The MQS was developed for the evaluation of Thoroughbred racetracks with some aspects having been adapted by his collaborators to evaluate other equine performance surfaces. The MQS has three phases analogous to the monitoring procedures in commercial airlines: flight certification, pre-flight inspection and a black box data recorder.

Allen Page, DVM, PhD, scientist and veterinarian at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, spoke about a recently published paper from his laboratory on the expression of select mRNA transcripts in Thoroughbreds at the fourth and final session of the virtual 10th annual UK Equine Research Showcase, comparing horses that suffered catastrophic racing injuries to controls. The event was sponsored by BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

The University of Kentucky hosted the fourth and final session of its Equine Research Showcase Feb. 9. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. The session included several 10-minute mini presentations about hot topics in the area of equine research.

Ernest Bailey, PhD, professor of equine genetics, Ted Kalbfleisch, PhD, associate professor and genome analysis expert, and Jessica Petersen, PhD, University of Nebraska Lincoln population genetics expert, presented a short discussion about their Thoroughbred Genetic Diversity Project. Kalbfleisch spoke on behalf of the team.

The University of Kentucky hosted the fourth and final session of its Equine Research Showcase Feb. 9. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. The session included several 10-minute mini presentations about hot topics in the area of equine research.

Martin Nielsen, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVM, Schlaikjer professor of equine infectious diseases in the Gluck Equine Research Center, spoke about current data showing resistance among cyathostomins (small strongyles) to the three main groups of anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) drugs.

On February 9, multiple speakers came together to discuss a wide variety of equine topics in rapid-fire succession for the final session of the virtual 10th Annual University of Kentucky Equine Research Showcase. Equine professionals and students had the opportunity to learn about a broad spectrum of hot topics from safety and welfare initiatives to publication resources to economic impacts on the equine industry as a result of COVID-19.  Presenting sponsors for the Research Showcase event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

Kimberly I. Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and the Equestrian Athlete Initiative director for research for the Sports Medicine Research Institute, gave viewers an overview of a new UK certificate program named the One Health Certificate. This graduate certificate program is a culmination of efforts across campus which come together to fulfill the global One Health mission.

The University of Kentucky hosted the fourth and final session of its Equine Research Showcase Feb. 9. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. The session included several 10-minute mini presentations about hot topics in the area of equine research.

Barry Ball, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, Albert G Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the Gluck Equine Research Center, presented an update about his research on Nocardioform Placentitis.

Many horse owners need indoor arenas in which to work horses regardless of weather. These facilities might be at home or at a community location shared by many riders. This publication highlights some common characteristics and requirements of indoor arenas and details the minimum requirements. Many disciplines and activities may require additional investment in facilities, such as larger dimensions, more lighting, special footing, etc.