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Winners from 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest Announce

Winners from 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest Announced Winners from the 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest were announced at the Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council’s State Fair Junior Livestock Sale on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. First place in the warm season grass category was awarded to James Gray of Desoto Parish. Mr. Gray’s hay sample had a 21% crude protein rating, and a 60.4% total digestible nutrients (TDN) value. This sample was also the Grand Champion Forage. Second place in the warm season grass category was entered by Charlie Young of Desoto Parish with a crude protein value of 17% and a TDN of 54.7%. First place in the cool season grass category was awarded to Billy Franklin of Desoto Parish with a crude protein value of 16.3% and a TDN value of 52.6%. Mr. Franklin also submitted the hay that placed second in the cool season grass category with a 14.4% crude protein and 54.7% TDN value. First place in the baleage category was awarded to Justin Robinson of Webster Parish with a sample that tested 17.7% on crude protein and 66.1% TDN. Mr. Robinson also won second place in the baleage division with a sample that tested 10.3% crude protein and 61.4% on TDN. All hay samples entered in the contest were visually inspected as part of the rating process. Winners in each category were awarded plaques or certificates, and monetary prizes. Sponsors for this year’s LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest include: Claiborne Parish Farm Bureau, Desoto Parish Farm Bureau, Wax Seed Company, Winn Parish Cattlemen’s Association, Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council, Mr. Marty Wooldridge, State Fair of Louisiana, Caddo Parish Farm Bureau, and Claiborne Parish Cattlemen’s Association. The hay quality contest is conducted to demonstrate the potential for producing hay with adequate quality for most classes of livestock from forages typically grown in the area. Forage testing provides livestock owners with an understanding of the quality of the hay available for feeding and thus to determine if supplementation is necessary. Livestock owners are encouraged to sample their forages to determine quality and aid in making winter feeding decisions. For more information on forage sampling, or the LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Contest, please contact your local LSU AgCenter Extension Office. Submitted by: Lee Faulk Assistant County Agent Claiborne and Webster Parishes 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371