The second annual Metcalfe County Hay and Straw Auction was held on Saturday, January 27th 2018 at the Metcalfe County Fairgrounds.  This year Barren, Metcalfe, and Monroe Counties partnered to make the sale a Tri-County event. This was an opportunity to keep money in the local economy by making excess hay available to those needing feed for the remainder of the winter. The Metcalfe County fair board was also able to raise operating money from the sale commission.

 Twenty-seven lots of hay and straw were consigned for the one day sale. Each lot was weighed and the hay was tested on-site by the KY Department of Agriculture. An average weight and a nutritional report was attached to each lot so that buyers could evaluate both quantity and quality before bidding. Prior to the start of the auction, the Barren County ANR agent taught those in attendance how to interpret hay test results and use them to make sure they were meeting the nutritional needs of their livestock.

 While not all of the lots consigned met the reserve price, total sales for the auction was$ 7379.70. The Metcalfe County fair board was able to raise $432.67 in operating funds. Aside from the economic impact, this event served as a valuable educational tool for those in attendance. It has been noted that more producers are testing their hay as a result of this auction. Weighing the hay has been an eye-opener for producers as well.  Many of those present at the auction stated that they have been overestimating the weight of round bales which could lead to a nutritional deficiency in their livestock.

 Producers are already preparing for the 2019 Tri-County Hay and Straw Auction. As this event grows, farmers in the area will continue to benefit from an economic as well as educational standpoint. The auction will continue to be evaluated in order to show additional outcomes.