~~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 104 samples taken by agent in 2017. This was the most agent has taken in one year in Carter County and was also the most of any agent in the 2017 Annual East Ky Hay Contest. the 104 was also 25% of the 400 samples taken in 14 counties. 

    Tom Keene spoke to 60 producers at a Northeast Area Livestock Association meeting on how to interpret their hay test results. Mr. Keene had 6 hay samples with the hay quality analysis for each sample. He went over each sample so the producers could see the visual difference in quality as well as from the analysis. Mr. Keene talked on how to produce better quality hay as it relates to fertility, plant species, and maturity. He them demonstrated how to take the hay test results and plug them into a simple ration balancing program to balance their rations. Mr. Keene explained it all so well it was easy for all to understand.

      Not only are they learning how to use the results in their winter feeding program, they are learning what makes one hay sample better than another. They are seeing how maturity plays a huge 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 2017 as indicated by the hay test results. Carter County producers won 5 of the 20 awards presented or 25% of the awards.