Success StoryBoone County Forage Field Day Provides Tips and Tools for Farmers to Sell Higher Quality Hay



Boone County Forage Field Day Provides Tips and Tools for Farmers to Sell Higher Quality Hay

Author: Michelle Simon

Planning Unit: Campbell County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Improving Economics & Sustainability of Agriculture & Farm Management

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Currently, Boone County is experiencing an influx of beginning farmers struggling to select crops suitable for their land, operation and, in some cases, a market to sell their product. In Boone County there is a multitude of small, hobby farms and also large commercial farms that all require hay for their livestock and horses. A large majority of these farms cannot produce their own or cannot produce enough to meet their needs. For these beginner farmers, this need for hay has become a window of opportunity as a way to grow a commodity suitable for most soil types and an almost guaranteed market. The challenges for these producers are baling hay that’s high enough quality to be marketed as “horse hay” to capture a higher value. “Horse quality hay” requires these farmers to mow the hay at the peak vegetative state to ensure optimal nutritional quality and baling at the proper moisture to ensure no mold growth. Both of these requirements can prove difficult due to weather, equipment break-downs and a multitude of other situations that could arise that an unexperienced, beginning farmer would not be prepared for. In response to this need, Boone County ANR Agent collaborated with a beginner farmer producing hay to be sold to horses, Dr. Bob Coleman, Dr. Ray Smith, and local equipment dealers to host a Forage Field Day to better prepare beginner farmers for the challenges they will likely face. Demonstrations were conducted on utilizing seed drills to increase germination rates at seeding, weed control for hay fields, GPS technology for fertilizer applications, disc mowers, hay tedders and rakes, square and round balers, hay scales and also how to test hay and interpret those results. UK specialists also held discussions on how to time mowing and adjust cutting heights to improve quality and production and also better market their higher quality hay. Over 50 participants were in attendance that had not used most of the equipment and were not weighing or testing their hay. Following the program, 100% of the participants noted that they had learned a new management skill to use on their farms, more farmers started testing their hay for quality and moisture, and the use of the rental seed drill increased by 50% due to the program.






Stories by Michelle Simon


Master Finisher Series Assists Cattlemen in Pricing Beef Sold off the Farm to Make a Profit

about 2 years ago by Michelle Simon

The Master Finisher series was developed by UK Beef Extension Specialist, Dr. Katie VanValin, after ... Read More


Blood Testing Cattle for Pregnancy Diagnosis Saves Producers Bottom-Line

about 2 years ago by Michelle Simon

Campbell County agriculture largely consists of beef cattle and forage operations. In an effort to a... Read More


Stories by Campbell County CES


The Development of a Backyard Composting Program

The Development of a Backyard Composting Program

about 2 years ago by DJ Scully

The Extension Service and Conservation District recently convened to address the issue of the emergi... Read More


Schools Return to the Campbell County Environmental Education Center

Schools Return to the Campbell County Environmental Education Center

about 2 years ago by DJ Scully

The COVID-19 pandemic affected schools abilities to take field trips to the Campbell County Environm... Read More


Stories by Forages


UKY Specialists Create Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers

UKY Specialists Create Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers

about 2 years ago by Jimmy Henning

Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschSheep and goats comprise a small but gr... Read More


Conferences on Grazing and Alfalfa meet producer needs

Conferences on Grazing and Alfalfa meet producer needs

about 2 years ago by Jimmy Henning

Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschProducer leadership of the Kentucky For... Read More