~~Hay testing continues to increase as more and more farmers obtain knowledge about what a valuable management tool they are and how to use the results as indicated by the 118 samples taken by agent in 2018. This was the most agent has taken in one year in Carter County and was also the most of any agent in the 2018 Annual East Ky. Hay Contest. The 118 was 24% of the 495 samples taken in 15 counties. Agent has been recognized for collecting the most hay samples for 3 consecutive years.

   Not only are more samples being taken each year, but quality of hay is improving as indicated by Carter County producers winning 7 of the 27 awards presented or 26% of the awards. Carter County also placed 2nd out of the 15 counties for the high 10 average for the county. Producers have gained knowledge on what makes one lot of hay better than another. They are seeing how maturity plays a role in hay quality by seeing how TDN and RFV go down with maturity. They are also learning how legumes improve their hay quality by seeing how the CP% increases with legumes in the stand. The CP% has increased in hay in 2018 as indicated by the hay test results. 

    Producer's desire to take the hay test results one step further and use the results to balance rations has also increased as indicated by the 55 producers who attended an Applied Master Cattlemen program without a meal as an incentive to hear Dr. Lehmkuhler speak. 55 producers gained knowledge on how to interpret their hay test results and how to use this information to balance rations. Agent gave the producers their individual hay test results during the meeting so they could apply what Dr. Lehmkuhler was saying to their own hay results. Dr. Lehmkuhler took several hay test results from the group to use in a real life situation of balancing a ration. Dr. Lehmkuhler even gave an ipad to a 5th grade student to enter the numbers in the Forage Program to show how simple it was to balance rations. All 55 producers left the meeting that night with increased knowledge and self confidence in balancing rations.