Ag News
Bartow County farmer wins GFB Hay Contest
Posted on Dec 21, 2022 at 0:00 AM
By Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau
Bartow County Farm Bureau member Franklin Dowell won the 2022 Georgia Farm Bureau Quality Hay Contest.
As the top prize winner in the hay contest, Dowell receives a year’s use of a Vermeer 604R Baler, 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. 5 during the Georgia Farm Bureau Convention on Jekyll Island.
Dowell’s sample of Jiggs Bermuda hay had an RFQ score of 155. The contest drew 30 entries and the average RFQ score for all entries was 119.
Jeff Bacon of Laurens County (Coastal Bermuda) took second place with an RFQ of 147. As the second-place winner, Bacon receives a $200 gift card provided by Georgia Farm Bureau, a soil probe and a gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau.
Guerry Hall of Franklin County (Coastal Bermuda) was third at 144 and receives a $100 gift card and a gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau
Eddy Turner of Washington County (Tift 44) was fourth at 143 and receives a $100 gift card and gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau
Floyd Knowles of Telfair County (Coast Cross) was fifth at 142 and receives a $100 gift card and gift bag provided by Georgia Farm Bureau.
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