Ag News
Laurens County farmer wins 2023 GFB Hay Contest
Posted on Dec 14, 2023 at 23:22 PM
Laurens County Farm Bureau member Jeff Bacon won the 2023 Georgia Farm Bureau Quality Hay Contest.
As the top prize winner in the hay contest, Bacon receives a year’s use of a Vermeer Mid-Size Trailed Mower, with the option to purchase it at a reduced price at the end of the year. The contest analyzed the quality of the hay grown by entrants using the University of Georgia’s Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) testing method, which measures nutrient content and digestibility of the hay. For more about the lab and how the hay is tested visit www.gfb.ag/ugahaylab .
GFB sponsors the annual contest to encourage superior hay production in the state. Entered samples are required to have nitrate levels below 4,500 parts per million and moisture content of 18% or less to be eligible for contest prizes. The winners were announced on Dec. 4 during the Georgia Farm Bureau Convention on Jekyll Island.
Bacon’s sample of Coastal Bermuda hay achieved an RFQ score of 163. The contest drew 47 entries and the average RFQ score for all entries was 144.
Garren Hall of Franklin County took second place with an RFQ score of 155. Second prize was a Georgia Farm Bureau cooler provided by Corey Tyre and a $200 gift card and gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau.
Guerry Hall, also of Franklin County (Alicia Bermuda), claimed third place with an RFQ score of 148. Third prize, provided by GFB, was a $100 gift card and a gift bag.
Michael Powell of Atkinson County (Alicia Bermuda) was fourth with an RFQ of 143 and receives a $100 gift card and gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau.
Tony Petty of Gordon County took fifth place with an RFQ of 152. Fifth prize was a $100 gift card and gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau.
All hay entered in the contest had to be a variety of Bermudagrass.
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