|
Nancy
Cox
The College and
the Equine Industry
As many of you know, Dean Scott Smith agreed to serve as interim
provost for the University of Kentucky in May. He still serves
as dean of the College, but his duties on central campus have
required that he delegate some responsibilities to the associate
deans. Thus, I have the honor of providing the overview of this
issue and the message from the College of Agriculture.
The equine programs that are the focus of this issue are part
of a larger effort of the College to apply our research, education,
and extension efforts to Kentucky’s signature industry.
In recent years we have experienced Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
and inadequate resources for the Livestock Disease Diagnostic
Center. We also have an increasing awareness of the importance
of horses as an agricultural entity and the challenges to Kentucky’s
supremacy as the horse capital of the world.
The statewide equine industry has mobilized through the Kentucky
Equine Education Project, and the board of the University of Kentucky
Gluck Equine Research Foundation has challenged the College to
align its programs proportionately with Kentucky’s world-class
Thoroughbred and other horse industries.
Dean Smith has responded to these opportunities by creating the
UK Equine Initiative, announced by President Lee Todd in May,
to provide comprehensive services for the horse industry similar
to our already integrated programs for the beef and tobacco industries.
This initiative is led by Lori Garkovich, whose legendary leadership
skills with counties are addressed in this issue, and coordinated
by Kimberly Brown, a Ph.D. student in agricultural economics.
Our programs, including those highlighted here, provide a strong
foundation for the Equine Initiative. Please visit the Initiative’s
Web site [http://www.ca.uky.edu/equine/] and share your dreams
for the equine industry in Kentucky.
Nancy M. Cox
Associate Dean for Research
Director, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station
|
 |
|
|
