BAE > Extension > Agriculture & Environment > Irrigation Pumping Plant Efficiency Testing [Image: Operational cost per acre-inch] A pumping system’s efficiency is calculated by comparing the amount of fuel used to the amount of water pumped. Manure Management for Horse Owners [Image: horses] This fact sheet provides a brief overview of some good stewardship practices for horse owners and how they manage their manure. It focuses on three techniques for managing horse manure and bedding: direct application of manure, fertilizer nitrogen enhancement, composting Composting Horse Manure [Image: steamy horse manure] Composting is the acceleration of a natural biological process that converts organic matter into a stable humus-like material. This process is a great way to convert horse manure into a more desirable product. Composting produces a material that can be used as a low-grade fertilizer, mulch for reducing weed infestation, and soil amendment for retaining soil moisture. Environmental Horse Stables and Barns [Image: muddy horse] Louisiana horse owners can reduce the impact of their facilities on local waterways and groundwater by adopting management practices that minimize the potential for non-point source water pollution.  more articles... Managing Horse Manure for Environmental Benefits [Image: Horse nutrient cycling] Horses are important for companionship, sport, work, pleasure, education, and therapy. To be good stewards of the land, however, horse farmers should manage their farms in a way to minimize the potential for negatively impacting the environment with horse manure Horse Pasture Establishment and Management [Image: horses on pasture] Horses and pastures seem to go together. Pastures provide exercise and a low-cost feed source, but unless productive, they provide only exercise. To achieve both goals, however, they must have a good start. This factsheet will go over some steps that will help. Managing Horse Stables to Protect Water Quality [Image: horse] Horse property barns and stables may contain large quantities of mud because of excessive traffic. Mud is more than a mess or nuisance. Winter and spring rains can cause mud and manure to runoff into nearby waterways. Nutrients and sediment in runoff are a source of non-point source pollution, which can degrade water quality. Louisiana horse owners can reduce the impact on streams and bayous by specific adopting management practices. Pervious Concrete as a Flooring Material for Horse Handling Areas Pervious concrete may be an alternative surface material for such horse facilities. Pervious concrete is a mixture of the same ingredients, except the sand is reduced or omitted and the amount of water is reduced. A properly installed concrete pad, using pervious concrete, is capable of allowing high volumes of water to permeate through the material. Depending on the aggregate used and the compacted density of the pad, the amount of infiltration of material through the pad can be varied Temporary Fencing for Horse Pasture Efficiency and Environmental Protection [Image: continuous grazing setup] Rotational grazing has long been used by livestock producers as a way to use pasture more efficiently. By dividing large pastures into smaller paddocks, animals make better use of available forage. Additionally, pastures that are not allowed to be grazed down to such an extent that soil erosion can occur protect the environment by preventing sediment loss into adjacent waterways. Watering Can Be Efficient! [Image: SIM] Tips for water conservation for July the Smart Irrigaiton Month Licenses for Louisiana Irrigation Contractors [Image: Irrigation installation] The Louisiana Horticulture Law states that no person shall receive fees, advertise, or solicit business in a regulated profession or occupation unless he holds the appropriate license or permit, or has a regular employee who holds the appropriate license or permit, or is employed by a person who holds the appropriate license or permit. This program is managed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Comparing Irrigation Pumping Costs An analysis was conducted to demonstrate the differences in current operating costs of irrigation between diesel and electric irrigation pumps under the same conditions. Subsurface Drip Irrigation in the Southeast [Image: SDI Setup] This fact sheet is designed to provide a brief introduction to the site selection, design, installation and management of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in humid and sub-humid areas. This overview is not intended to give all the information necessary for a complete and functional system. The reader is referred to more comprehensive documents for greater details in each category. Irrigation Scheduling Made Easy: Using the “Look and Feel” method [Image: Look and Feel of Soil] Irrigation scheduling can seem complicated. It doesn’t have to be. Anyone can use a simple, effective method known as the “look and feel” method to determine when to irrigate. Click for more information...