Madison County Hay Auction 2020

            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 11^th, 2020 our 12th annual hay auction took place with 67 different lots of hay and straw offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated hay testing services, deliveries, load out and took all hay samples. Hay was tested on site by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture mobile testing program personnel. Fair board members 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 to interpret results prior to the auction. As each lot of hay was sold, forage analysis and weight was displayed and announced to buyers by the ANR agent. 

Approximately $60,000 dollars of hay was sold in the auction from eight different producers and 6 counties and Tennessee. This year we had approximately 200 people in attendance. Per bale prices were the highest in auction history with some small square bales bringing $14.50 each and round bales at $130 each. A shortage of quality hay and somewhat 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. 

The Madison County ANR agent is currently helping other agents in Eastern Kentucky start their own hay auction.