SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg urges forage growers to participate in the 41st annual Ozark Empire Fair Hay Contest, July 24 to Aug. 2 in Springfield.

The contest is one of the premier events for hay producers in the state, especially since the Missouri State Fair has discontinued its contest, says Schnakenberg. Entries consist of representative bales sampled by extension regional faculty and analyzed by a lab to determine relative forage quality (RFQ). In 2024, there were 36 entries from 20 producers.

Classes of hay include legume, cool-season grass, warm-season perennial, summer/winter annual grass and grass/legume mix. Both small bale and large bale packages may be entered.

Placings are based on RFQ numbers, which include total digestible nutrients (TDN) and neutral detergent fiber. MU Extension prepares a booklet annually that gives all test results, including a historical view of the various classes of hay and averages dating back to 1985. The books and other items are on display at the fairgrounds’ FFA building.

Entered hay or haylage must be harvested in Missouri in 2025. Awards are limited to ribbons, rosettes and premium dollars for the top six entries in each class, says Schnakenberg.

Under the rules and regulations, an extension specialist must collect the sample by July 14 of this year. Farmers cannot submit samples directly. The specialist then submits the sample to a lab for testing.

“If you know of someone who is particularly proud of their hay or perhaps in the hay business, this is a great show for them to get involved with,” Schnakenberg says. “It’s a great way to improve a grower’s knowledge of how their hay stacks up in quality compared to typical hay quality in Missouri. Several years ago, we had someone enter the contest for the first time and their hay ranked near the bottom of the list. In a few short years, her hay won the state fair hay contest after she realized from the experience how quality hay is made.”

Longtime sponsors of the show are Pennington Seed, Crown Power and Equipment, Green Seed, MFA Inc. and Custom Laboratory.

Entry deadline is July 14. To enter, contact the nearest MU Extension specialist. They are available to help pull the core samples from the 10-bale entry.

MU Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel chairs the contest with Schnakenberg. For more forms or a list of rules, contact Schnakenberg at 417-357-6812 or schnakenbergc@missouri.edu, or Bluel at 417-847-3161or bluelrj@missouri.edu.