Understanding a producer’s forage quality is the backbone of providing a balanced nutrition plan.  Hay testing can provide data that producers and Cooperative Extension Agents use to ensure the nutritional needs of the animal are being met.  Without a test, farmers are blindly feeding leading to wasted resources.  

The Central Kentucky Hay Contest was created to generate friendly competition among producers and educate producers about forage test analysis and the economic impact of the results.  Eight central Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agents organized the contest and gathered samples from their county to be analyzed by the UK Forage team.  In total, over 130 samples were analyzed.

Traditionally, hay testing in Boyle County has been an underutilized practice.  Producers assumed their hay was bad and supplemented based on habit and instinct.  An average of 2-7 producers each year implement a hay testing program for their operations.  Of 130 samples 4 were from Boyle County. Boyle County was home to the 2^nd place alfalfa hay sample and the 2^nd place Alfalfa-grass hay sample.  Each participant responded that a better understanding of the results. When producers know the nutritional value of their hay and understand the results of the analysis, they can make informed management decisions to reduce the need for supplements leading to decreased feed cost.