It was another challenging year for the annual forage testing program and contest. With COVID-19 spiking to record numbers and the second year switching from KDA doing the testing to UK, left some bugs to be worked out.

     The committee, formed last year, comprising of agents and specialist had several online meetings to sort through all the problems faced last season and all the challenges faced this season. All the work to correct problems encountered last year and improvements made for this years’ program, has resulted in the development of the best more accurate forage testing programs we have ever had.

     Last year we saw record a number for forage samples. 627 samples total. This year samples were down slightly, which was to be expected, but we still had nearly 500 samples collected.

     The forage testing program and contest has been very successful in educating producers on the importance and economic impact of forage improvement.

     This program was initiated twenty-five years ago and over this period more than 6089 hay samples have been submitted for testing

     The contest, which creates some friendly competition between four east Kentucky beef cattle associations, has been a good instrument to get producers to test their hay.

    Data received from these test assist producers in making management decisions on improving their hay quality and supplement needs for livestock. Also, the data is being used to balance feed rations that improve animal performance.

      In Perry County, this program and contest has led to a dramatic increase in the number of request to have their forage tested. Most years Perry County has had an average of 25 hay test. This year, that number rose to 29 test. Last years’ numbers were even higher. When this program first started, less than five people requested to have their hay tested. Now 10 to 15 producers are requesting to have their hay tested. This represents around 50% of all forage producers. Clientele realize the economic value of using this data to balance feed rations. On average, feed rations are balanced representing more than 300 animals annually.

     Perry County has seen more than 1500 acres of hay fields renovated using higher quality forage because of data received from this program. Producers reported seeing higher forage yields this year from fields that were renovated last season. As much as a 20% increase in forage production was observed. Last year, Perry County saw its first Alfalfa field established. Soil test for forages have more than doubled, on average 65 soil test per year. What Tobacco Settlement Funds Perry county has available, about half of it is being used to improve forage stands or purchase hay equipment.

     Educational tours and programs at this contest have educated producers on harvesting their forage crop at the correct times and how to store their hay crop to prevent loss in quality. Also the latest in forage equipment has been demonstrated. Plans are to begin utilizing RCARS for forage demonstrations. One meeting has already been held this year to start that process.

     Information received from this event has led to three Perry County Producers starting a hay selling business. More than $7,500.00 in farm revenue was generated from their business this year.