The problem

Producing high quality forage has been at the forethought of many producers in Eastern Kentucky. Over recent years a large percentage of our primary hay fields has been affected and/or damaged by flood waters.

The educational program response

Experiencing this has led to specialist, agents, area equipment representatives and producers to join together to establish a program to educate area producers on ways the quality of the hay can be improved through the use of proper techniques and equipment.

The participants/target audience

Hay 101, a program designed around hands on experience, was held at UK's Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability in Jackson, KY. Our evening began in the hay field as area equipment dealers highlighted and demonstrated how to properly use the equipment in the hay field. They were accompanied by Dr. Jimmy Henning who incorporated the science behind why certain techniques improve overall hay quality. The economics of equipment choices as well as choosing the appropriate equipment for your operation was a key points shared with producers. After the field work was complete we met with Dr. Bob Coleman at the auditorium on sight to discuss the importance of hay sampling and how to read those results. Dr. Coleman also shared what values were critical to producers and consumers. To aide in his discussion, Dr. Coleman and Dr. Henning had different bales there that had been tested and the group was led through visuals and results for each bale.

Other partners (if applicable)

Program impact or participant response.

To conclude the program a survey was conducted by the agents. 

Results indicated that of those surveyed, 

-100% of participants learned something new that will better their hay quality. 

-100% of participants will implement something new they learned at this program on their own operation to improve hay quality.

-100% of participants after this program will evaluate the equipment that they will use and match it appropriately to the task they are going to do. 

-50% of participants will utilize a forage test on their hay this year that have not before.