The 2017 KY Ag Census lists Madison County as the 3^rd largest hay producing county in the state of Kentucky with approximately 43,600 acres of hay. In an effort to help market local hay, the Madison County Extension ANR agent and the Madison County Fair Board partnered to coordinate a regional hay auction at the county fairgrounds.

On Saturday January 12^th, 2019 our 11th annual hay auction took place with 38 different lots of hay offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated hay testing services, deliveries, load out and helped volunteers take samples. Hay was tested on site by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture mobile testing program personnel. Local farmers weighed bales and calculated an average weight for each lot of hay. The Madison County ANR agent gave a short presentation about the importance of forage testing, and how it is conducted and how to interpret results prior to the auction. As each lot of hay was sold, the forage analysis was displayed and read to buyers. 

Approximately $30,049 dollars of hay was sold in the auction from twelve different producers and 6 counties. This year we had approximately 250 people in attendance which was the largest turnout in several years. Per bale prices were the highest in auction history with some small square bales bringing $11.00 each and round bales at $90 each. A shortage of quality hay and difficult winter feeding conditions for livestock drove prices up which benefited our consignors and the Madison County Fair board which receives a small sales commission.

This annual hay auction serves many purposes but most importantly allows an opportunity to educate producers about the need for hay testing while bringing buyers and sellers together in the market place for local price discovery. Many farmers in the region reference our auction sale prices when placing a value on their own hay. Hay was in short supply this year and our auction offered much needed feed for livestock in Madison and surrounding counties.