Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Hay Testing through NIRS for the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Author: Tyler London

Major Program: Forages

For many years, cattlemen and producers have fed rations without data for their hay being readily available. By data I am meaning proteins, fibers, macronutrients, micronutrients, etc. However, in May of 2025 this all changed when NIR was no longer located in a different state or far off at an extreme cost. NIR came to Barren County. Glasgow to be exact. NIR Near Infrared Spectrometer gives feed value and protein and many other things of a farmers feed and forages. This allows a farmer to match

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NIR for the Barrens

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Forages

For many years, cattlemen and producers have fed rations without data for their hay being readily available. By data I am meaning proteins, fibers, macronutrients, micronutrients, etc. However, in May of 2025 this all changed when NIR was no longer located in a different state or far off at an extreme cost. NIR came to Barren County. Glasgow to be exact. NIR Near Infrared Spectrometer gives feed value and protein and many other things of a farmers feed and forages. This allows a farmer to match

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Central Kentucky Hay Contest

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Forages

Central Kentucky Hay Contest

Kentucky has long been known for our Bluegrass Pastures and green, rolling hills. We have an abundance of forages with nearly 5 million acres of hay and pasture lands. Recent programming surveys by the UK Beef Extension group indicate that about only 35% of livestock producers test hay for quality. Utilizing hay testing to determine nutrient content allows for more efficient feeding of livestock through the winter by matching high quality hay with livestock that have the greatest nutrient requir

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Hay Contest

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Forages

The first annual forage contest in Nelson County, KY, highlights the community’s growing focus on producing, evaluating, and improving forage quality through scientific testing. This initiative, a collaboration between the Nelson County Soil Conservation and Nelson County Beef Cattle Association, aimed to bring awareness to forage nutrient content and help farmers optimize their feeding strategies.Key Highlights:Purpose and ProcessObjective: To objectively assess hay quality across partici

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East Kentucky Hay Contest, (Boyd County)

Author: Meredith Hall

Major Program: Forages

Livestock owners are responsible for meeting the nutritional needs of livestock throughout the year. Without knowing the nutritional makeup of the hay provided herdsman cannot make an informed decision on  what ration will meet the needs of their animals. Forage producers do not know the true value of their product without knowing the nutritional makeup of the hay or haylage produced. The Boyd County Cooperative Extension Service participated with other Kentucky Agriculture Agents in The Ea

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Union Co Hay Show

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Forages

Union Co Hay Show

Describe the Issue or Situation.Each year the Union Co Extension Office host a hay show during the county fair for producers to bring in their hay to be tested by the state hay trailer. This is opened for not only Union co producers but also for Crittenden, Henderson and Webster county producers. People could bring in their hay and get samples put from it the day of the show or they could pull their own samples and bring to the office incase they were unable to attend the show. Describe the

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Soil Testing

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Forages

 With the high prices of fertilizer in the last few years it has been financially difficult for many forage Producers to apply the proper nutrients to the soil to maximize yield and improve quality of their hay, this has led to a steady decline in the quality and yield of the forages they're producing therefore affecting the health of the herd they're feeding it to.Numerous classes were conducted to provide a more detailed explanation into soil testing to our Forage Producers.. Soil

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Hay Testing Program

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Forages

      It was another great year for the annual forage testing program and hay contest. We received more than 600 samples from 17 Eastern Kentucky Counties.       Samples were up slightly this year, which was to be expected. Several Counties were impacted by the flood and have been working to renovate back into production.     The forage testing program and contest has been very successful in educating producers on the importance and economic impa

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Resources for Using the County’s Shared-Use No-Till Drill

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Forages

Resources for Using the County’s Shared-Use No-Till Drill

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Carter County Soil Conservation District rents out a Great Plains No-Till Drill to local farmers.  However, many farmers do not know how to properly calibrate this piece of equipment and improper calibration and depth settings lead to poor stands and lost profits.  Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).A series of things have been done to help farmers accurately calibrate the drill. •  &nbs

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Hay Auction 2025

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Forages

Hay Auction 2025

Madison County continues to rank in the top 3 in the state of Kentucky for hay with approximately 43,600 acres produced. To help market local hay, the Madison County Extension ANR agent and the Madison County Fair Board partnered to coordinate a regional hay auction at the county fairgrounds.On Saturday January 18th, 2025 our 18th annual hay auction took place with 96 lots of hay and straw offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated some deliveries, and load out, and provided radi

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Forages

Author: Patrick Hardesty

Major Program: Forages

As a follow-up to the Hayfield Walk in the fall of 2024, a Pasture and Hayfield Management Meeting was developed in conjunction with the Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association. With approximately 100 in attendance, forage producers learned how to control weeds by cultural, mechanical and chemical methods. New herbicides were highlighted at this meeting.  Following the meeting, over one pallet of new herbicide that doesn’t kill clover was ordered. Producers are understanding the i

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No Till Drill

Author: Carol Hinton

Major Program: Forages

Describe the Issue or Situation.Farmers and homeowners have been recovering from several years of over grazing and over cutting  pastures and hay fields.  With very little time to put in new forages. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Producers have increased their utilization of the Cooperative Extension Service no till drill.  The drill has been rented by new producers and homeowners.  The drill went over 300 more acres

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Master Haymaker

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Forages

Kentucky ranks 4th nationally for hay production. In 2023, more than 2 million acres were harvested, producing 4.16 million tons of hay. Alfalfa hay production by Kentucky farmers is estimated at 270,000 tons with sales in 2022 totaling a whopping 344 million dollars. (National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission).  The opportunity and market to sell high quality hay is present but the requirements to get to a quality finished product can be daunting. Agricu

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Master Haymaker Program

Author: Lindsay Arthur

Major Program: Forages

Kentucky ranks 4th nationally for hay production. In 2023, more than 2 million acres were harvested, producing 4.16 million tons of hay. Alfalfa hay production by Kentucky farmers is estimated at 270,000 tons with sales in 2022 totaling a whopping 344 million dollars. (National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission). The opportunity and market to sell high quality hay is present but the requirements to get to a quality finished product can be daunting. Agriculture

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Southeast KY Hay Contest

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Forages

Issue or Situation: Being a hay producer can bring a lot of challenges, such as inconsistent quality, low yields, and poor nutrient content. These issues can cause financial strain for producers who rely on hay to feed their livestock, and in some cases, forcing them to purchase more expensive feed and supplements from other sources. It was evident that the need for better management practices, quality improvement, and education surrounding hay production needed to be addressed.Outreach or

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South-Central KY Hay Contest

Author: Tracie Goodman

Major Program: Forages

Issue or Situation: Being a hay producer can bring a lot of challenges, such as inconsistent quality, low yields, and poor nutrient content. These issues can cause financial strain for producers who rely on hay to feed their livestock, and in some cases, forcing them to purchase more expensive feed and supplements from other sources. It was evident that the need for better management practices, quality improvement, and education surrounding hay production needed to be addressed.Outreach or

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South-Central KY Hay Contest

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Major Program: Forages

Issue or Situation:Being a hay producer can bring a lot of challenges, such as inconsistent quality, low yields, and poor nutrient content. These issues can cause financial strain for producers who rely on hay to feed their livestock, and in some cases, forcing them to purchase more expensive feed and supplements from other sources. It was evident that the need for better management practices, quality improvement, and education surrounding hay production needed to be addressed.Outreach or Educat

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2024 Central Kentucky Hay Contest Helps Producers Achieve Improved Hay Quality

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Forages

The second annual Central Kentucky Hay Contest was a resounding success, showcasing the dedication and collaboration of agricultural agents, specialists, and producers across 14 counties. A total of 236 hay samples were collected, representing the diverse efforts of local farmers to produce high-quality hay. Agricultural agents spent countless hours collecting these samples, an effort that not only provided crucial data but also strengthened relationships with farmers through valuable one-on-one

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment