Forage production accounts for a large portion of agriculture production in Crittenden County. According to the 2017 Agriculture Census almost 18,000 acres were in some type of forage production. Hay is an important part of livestock diets and the nutrition values can vary widely. Harvest height, weather conditions, forage type and other factors have an impact on hay quality. Hay nutritive values are determined by a hay quality test.

For the third year Crittenden County Extension and Crittenden County Lion’s Club Fair have partnered together to host a hay quality contest during the county fair. During the 2019 Fair, several new producers participated in the contest which resulted in over 70% increase in entries from the year before. The producers have come to rely on the test results to balance feed rations and aid in selling their forage products. One producer has told the agent that the contest has shown him that no matter what he needs to have his hay tested every year. The tests have allowed him to match the nutrition needs of the cattle with the correct quality of hay, saving him money on supplemental feed costs. A local youth who sells hay entered the contest for the first time in 2019 and placed in his class. The youth was able to advertise his hay as a county fair winner and show potential buyers the quality report which helped with the marketing of his product.

The continued success of the hay testing done with the county fair showcases a strong community partnership between Crittenden County Extension and the local Lion’s Club. Crittenden County hay producers are seeing the longer term benefits of the contest through increased hay sales and saving on supplemental feed costs.