In 2025, the 44^th annual Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference was held in Bowling Green KY on Feb. 25, 2025 with 120 people attending.  This conference was a joint effort of the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, the UK Master Grazer program, and the UK Quality Hay for Horses program.  The theme was “Alfalfa Updates and Producing Grass Hay for Premium Markets”.   

 Topics and speakers included: Everything I Ever Needed to Know about Armyworms – Dr. Raul Villanueva, Univ. of KY; Armyworm Control Methods: What to spray and when – Brett Reese, So. States, Paris; What’s New in Alfalfa Varieties - Dr. Don Miller, Mt. View Seeds, Commercial alfalfa breeder for over 45 years; What do Horse Owners Want and Why - Dr. Bob Coleman, UK Horse Specialist; What We Can Learn from the Results of the KY Hay Contests – Dr. Chris Teutsch, Univ. of KY; Emerging Markets for Unique Forage Species – Dr. Ray Smith, University of Kentucky; and Producer Panel: How I Produce Quality Grass Hay – (Panelists – Brad Hines, Hart Co.-Timothy; Kevin Priddy, Grayson Co. – Orchardgrass; Allen Arthur, Nicholas Co. - Teff hay; and Central KY producer – fescue and mixed grass hay).

 The YouTube Videos published since the meeting of the presentation have already been viewed over 2300 people. Written copies of each presentation were also collated into a Proceedings volume which was distributed to participants and is available for download through the UK Forage Website. 

UK Forage Specialists involved: S. Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch and Jimmy Henning