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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Contents Vol 64(1)

Quantification of relative stock units for horses to permit correct application within pasture-based production systems

Y. Y. Chin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1698-6893 A * , P. J. Back B , E. K. Gee A , D. J. Horne B and C. W. Rogers https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4253-1825 A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.

B School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.

* Correspondence to: Y.Chin@massey.ac.nz

Handling Editor: Wayne Bryden

Animal Production Science 64, AN22441 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN22441
Submitted: 28 November 2022  Accepted: 3 May 2023  Published: 29 May 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY)

Abstract

Context

Overseer® is the primary software tool used to estimate farm-level nutrient cycle and management for regulatory purposes in New Zealand. The model compares feed demand among different livestock by using ‘revised stock units’ (RSUs, the annual energy requirement of a mature ewe to raise a single lamb to weaning; 6000 MJ metabolisable energy). The RSUs for several common equine stock classes are not yet available, while those currently available within the model are based on the linear scaling of feed demand to liveweight, which does not consider allometric scaling of metabolism to liveweight or the differences in digestive physiology and nutrient metabolism between ruminants and monogastric hindgut fermenters (horses).

Aim

To compare the current RSU values used in Overseer® for different equine stock classes, with the equineRSU values calculated using equine-specific models.

Methods

Weighted average estimates of the bodyweight for the different equine livestock classes were calculated from the published literature. These weighted average estimates of bodyweight were used to estimate the energy requirements on the basis of data published by National Research Council. The resulting dry-matter intake and N intake from the equineRSU values and the current RSU values in use within Overseer® were modelled using published data on diet composition, crude protein content and the digestibility of the different feeds offered.

Results

The current RSUs in Overseer were 2.5–6.8 units higher than the equineRSU values obtained from the equine-specific models. This overestimation in feed demand resulted in N-intake estimates at an animal level being 52–108% higher than values derived using the equine-specific estimates.

Conclusion

The use of RSUs based on linear scaling of feed demand from ruminants on the basis of liveweight overestimates feed demand and N intake in horses. If horses are to be included within nutrient management models, feed demand must be based on published equine data for energy requirements to avoid over-inflation of N excretion. The equineRSUs calculated in this study reduce the risk of over-inflation of N intake and excretion, and subsequently the N leaching estimations.

Implication

Failure to accurately model feed demand of horses within nutrient management software would unfairly compromise stocking density and horse management on large commercial breeding farms. The implication for these errors on economic impact and restricted livestock number is greatest for the Thoroughbred breeding industry due to the scale of the operations.

Keywords: animal production, horses, modelling, nitrogen, nitrogen intake, nitrogen leaching, nutrient budget, nutrient management, nutrition.

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