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Glenn Obermann, pictured, and Toni Obermann were champion place winners with their alfalfa entry in dry hay category at the recent Ozark Empire Fair Hay Contest that drew 49 entries. File photo.
GALENA, Mo. – Missouri hay producers showcased their work at the hay contest during the Ozark Empire Fair, July 24-Aug. 3 in Springfield.
University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg and dairy specialist Reagan Bluel were co-superintendents of the fair’s annual contest, which drew 49 entries from 30 participants. MU Extension agronomy field specialists Josh Dunn and Haley Schwantz assisted.
The contest gives producers an opportunity to have their hay evaluated and placed in competition, Schnakenberg said. Each entry provides at least 10 representative bales from a field sampled by MU Extension personnel. Custom Laboratory in Monett analyzed the samples to provide relative forage quality (RFQ) based on total digestible nutrient (TDN) and neutral detergent fiber to estimate dry matter intake.
Schnakenberg said hay quality was slightly lower than in some recent years, but he attributes this to frequent rain during haymaking season. “Even though we had a lot of entries, the overall quality of the hay seemed to be down a little across most classes,” said Schnakenberg. “Regardless, there was still some great hay entered. The contest highlights some of the best hay produced in Missouri, and it’s clear we can grow some great hay by outstanding farm producers.”
First place winners and classes in the dry hay category: Class I legumes (all alfalfa), Glenn and Toni Obermann; Class II grass (cool season), Kevin Dotson; Class III grass (warm season), Jerry Staiger; Class IV, grass, legume, Glenn and Toni Obermann; Class V, summer/winter annual grass, Lindell Mitchell; Champion, Glenn and Toni Obermann and reserve champion, Charles and Brenda Krueger, both alfalfa.
Haylage class first place winners: Class I, legume haylage, Maple Pass Farm LLC; Class II, grass haylage (cool season), Brett Mitchell; Class IV, grass-legume haylage, Wyatt Mullins; Class V, winter/summer annual, Grovesview Dairy. Champion was Maple Pass Farm LLC and reserve champion, Grovesview Dairy, both with alfalfa.
Sponsors for the educational hay exhibit at the fair were Custom Laboratories, Crown Power & Equipment, MFA Inc., Missouri Dairy and Pennington Seed.
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Glenn Obermann, pictured, and Toni Obermann were champion place winners with their alfalfa entry in dry hay category at the recent Ozark Empire Fair Hay Contest that drew 49 entries. File photo by Linda Geist.
