In the News -
November 2007
Bermuda hay producers invited to submit samples for contest
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Benton County Bermuda hay producers will host their 10th
annual Quality Forage contest with an open invitation to producers from
throughout Arkansas and neighboring states to submit hay samples.
"The samples will be analyzed for several measurements of quality, including
color, protein content and energy value," said Robert Seay, Benton County staff
chair with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Winning producers will be recognized at an awards program to be determined
later, Seay said.
Any producer who wants to submit a Bermuda hay sample should ask his or her
county extension agent to collect a sample. The deadline to submit a sample is
November 21. Producers in Oklahoma, Missouri and north Arkansas have participated in
the contest in the past.
"It's a great opportunity for producers to see how their hay stacks up
against other producers," Seay noted. Winning samples will be submitted to the
American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) for the national forage contest.
Co-sponsored by area agri-lenders, agri-businesses and the University of
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the Quality Forage program has garnered
national attention. Quality Forage winners have received top national honors
from the AFGC for seven consecutive years, according to Seay.
He said Benton County producers have acknowledged the benefit of having
participants involved from other areas. One goal established by the county's
producers in 1997 was to promote production efficiency and management along with
a greater awareness of Bermuda grass hay quality and marketing. More producer
involvement has served to document and validate better production information.
"As old and new management practices are critiqued, producers withhold no
secret, which enables the program to achieve and maintain success," Seay said.
"Information continues to spread across county and state lines, prompting other
producers to seek answers. As a result, Bermuda grass hay has grown from a minor
cash crop to filling the role of a multi-million dollar commodity throughout
Arkansas and neighboring states."
Numerous sponsors continue to provide Quality Forage program support, which
helps recognize and encourage producers while enabling the collection of useful
information.
The $15 per-sample fee includes the analysis and an invitation to the program
and sponsored meal. Producers may enter multiple samples, but each must be from
hay produced under their management. Entries must be about one-half pound,
core-sampled hay taken from multiple bales of the same cutting and variety.
To arrange for samples to be taken or for more details, producers should
contact their county extension office. The program date and related information
will be provided to all producers who enter. Inquiries regarding program or
award sponsorships are always welcome and may be directed to me at
Rseay@uaex.edu.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
November 2, 2007
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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