By Blake Jackson
Missouri hay producers had the chance to showcase their efforts at the annual hay contest held during the Ozark Empire Fair from July 24 to August 3 in Springfield.
Organized by the University of Missouri Extension, the contest featured 49 entries from 30 producers. Tim Schnakenberg, MU Extension agronomist, and Reagan Bluel, dairy specialist, served as co-superintendents. They were supported by agronomy field specialists Josh Dunn and Haley Schwantz.
Schnakenberg noted that the contest allows hay producers to receive professional evaluation of their hay while competing among peers. For each entry, MU Extension staff collected samples from at least 10 representative bales per field.
The samples were analyzed by Custom Laboratory in Monett, which measured relative forage quality (RFQ), based on total digestible nutrients (TDN) and neutral detergent fiber to estimate dry matter intake.
“Even though we had a lot of entries, the overall quality of the hay seemed to be down a little across most classes,” Schnakenberg said. He attributed this to the season’s persistent rainfall during the haymaking period.
“Regardless, there was still some great hay entered. The contest highlights some of the best hay produced in Missouri, and it’s clear we can grow some great hay by outstanding farm producers.”
Dry Hay Category Winners:
- Class I (Legumes, all alfalfa): Glenn and Toni Obermann
- Class II (Cool-season grass): Kevin Dotson
- Class III (Warm-season grass): Jerry Staiger
- Class IV (Grass-legume mix): Glenn and Toni Obermann
- Class V (Summer/winter annual grass): Lindell Mitchell
- Champion: Glenn and Toni Obermann
- Reserve Champion: Charles and Brenda Krueger (both with alfalfa)
Haylage Category Winners:
- Class I (Legume haylage): Maple Pass Farm LLC
- Class II (Cool-season grass haylage): Brett Mitchell
- Class IV (Grass-legume haylage): Wyatt Mullins
- Class V (Winter/summer annuals): Grovesview Dairy
- Champion: Maple Pass Farm LLC
- Reserve Champion: Grovesview Dairy (both with alfalfa)
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Hay & Forage