Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Stockman’s Association invites Butler County farmers to participate in its annual Forage Quality Contest.  The contest is held each year to encourage farmers to have their hay tested and to take steps to improve the quality of the livestock feed they produce.  Samples will be pulled by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture on November 13th, 2017.  The KDA has a forage quality lab in Frankfort that analyzes forage samples for the entire state.  There are 3 classes in the contest.  Farmers can compete in grass, grass-legume or legume, and baleage divisions.  Cash prizes are awarded to the highest RFV (relative feed value) result in each category.  The 2016 growing season contest had over an 80 points of RFV difference between the top and bottom entries in the baleage category (Range from 70-150 RFV top to bottom).  The Stockman’s Association pays the analysis fee for one sample in each division per Stockman’s member.  Forage samples normally cost $10 each from KDA.  Forage producers who want to participate in the contest need to contact the Extension Office by November 10th at 4 p.m. to let us know you want to participate and how many samples we will be pulling at your farm. 

For more information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 112 E GL Smith Street, Morgantown, or call 270-526-3767.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

Submitted By: Greg Drake II, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources