Forage Production is an important enterprise on Butler County Farms.  The most recent census data indicate Butler County has 14,496 acres of forage production.  This causes Butler to rank sixty second in forage production in the state.  The agriculture program, working with the Butler County Stockman’s Association has offered a comprehensive education program to improve forage production.  The year started with a forage field day.  At the field day Dr. Chris Teusch and a volunteer leader presented information on the importance of good forage production for a profitable beef operation.The Stockman’s Association again held their forage quality contest.  The program began in 2014 and participation has increased each year.  The extension service provided assistance in developing the guidelines for the contest, advertising for participation, facilitating the collection of samples, organizing the data, and presenting a forage quality program using the gathered data.  Farmers sign up during the growing season.  Samples are pulled by KDA staff and analyzed in the KDA lab.  The Stockman’s Association pays a small cash prize for winners in each division.  Many farmers have additional samples analyzed at their expense while contest samples are being pulled.  Contest results are revealed during an educational program on forage quality each spring.  Finally, a volunteer presented on the importance of combating endophyte infected tall fescue at a spring meeting.  The next morning one farmer was making plans to destroy the small amount of infected fescue on his farm so he could achieve maximum growth in his beef herd. Farmers see the value in improved forage quality and are taking steps to improve their profitability by feeding better quality forage.