home  > Latest News Items > January 2003, Item 11.

Main News Desk 

Back

The 2002 pasture-monitoring program for mare reproductive loss syndrome produced key information about Kentucky's pastures, reported bloodhorse.com, but tests will continue in 2003 as a definitive cause for the syndrome is sought. From 21 February to 28 June 28 2002, personnel from the University of Kentucky collected more than 3,000 samples from 12 Central Kentucky horse farms & one hay farm. Analysis of those samples & corresponding data found significant correlations between cases of MRLS & the presence of black cherry trees in proximity to pasture.

However, there was also an indication that tall fescue alkaloids could account for some late-term abortions on farms where Eastern tent caterpillars or cherry trees were not visibly present. Dr Jimmy Henning, extension forage specialist at the university, said there are some "real positive things" contained in the report, most importantly that "we know a lot more about what is normal" in Kentucky pastures.

Asked about any correlation with pastures & the reproductive losses in the US fall of 2002, Henning said while researchers are treating this as a "deadly serious" problem, no one has shown him a correlation with MRLS to this point.

TBA Latest News Items

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia News Headlines