The third annual Tri-County Hay and Straw Auction was held on Saturday, January 26th 2019 at the Metcalfe County Fairgrounds.  Barren, Metcalfe, and Monroe Counties combined efforts to make the sale an area event. The winter of 2018-2019 saw extremely short hay supplies throughout the state. Securing consignments was challenging, but in the end over 500 rolls, 165 large squares, and over 1500 small square were available for purchase.  The Metcalfe County Fairboard was also able to raise operating money from the buyer’s premium.

Eighteen lots of hay 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.

 Sixteen lots of hay sold for a told of $43,163.00. The Metcalfe County Fairboard was able to raise approximately $1700.00 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.

As the event has grown, so has the media attention. Local media outlets, as well as, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Agriculture Communications picked up the story.  As a result, the Tri-County Hay and Straw Auction has received national media attention.

 Producers are already preparing for the 2020 auction. As this event grows, farmers in the area will continue to benefit from an economic and educational standpoint. The auction will continue to be evaluated in order to show additional outcomes.