A 'no hay' hay show detailed

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Nov. 4, 2004 - Technically, there won't be any hay at the next State Hay Show, but the state's top hay growers will still be determined, and recognized, at the annual Texas Forage and Grassland Council annual meeting.

In an effort to eliminate the hassles of sending hay to the State Hay Show location, and the chores of handling, displaying, and disposing of hundreds of hay samples, the TFGC board of directors has decided to determine the champions by paperwork only.

"We still want to recognize the state's best hay producers," said Dana Tucker, TFGC spokesperson, "and we'll do that by (analysis) scores."

Many counties conduct hay shows in the fall to determine the county's best hay. Producers submit samples in various grass categories. Each sample is analyzed to determine the hay's nutrient value, such as crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF).

Most county hay shows also judge the hay by its physical appearance. Once those components are determined, the hay is given a score. The highest score wins.

To determine the state's best hay, judges will look at the paperwork submitted to the state contest. Entries must have CP and ADF analysis results to be considered.

Tucker pointed out the best route to enter the state competition is to have the Texas Cooperative Extension agent in your county submit the hay's paperwork. Deadline for entry is Dec. 15.

The 2004 winners, overall and per grass category, will be announced at the TFGC annual meeting in January 2005. (Specific date and location have not been determined.)

TFGC has conducted the State Hay Show since the early 1980s, Tucker said, and often they have as many as 200 hay samples entered. "That's a lot of little bales of hay to physically handle, organize, and test," she said.

Another change announced by TFGC is the elimination of their involvement with the State 4-H and FFA Hay Judging Contest. This contest was traditionally in conjunction with the State Hay Show.

Tucker said the State 4-H Roundup will be the venue for that organization's judging competitors, and the State FFA Meeting will host the FFA competition. Hay samples for those events will be collected from various sources.

For more information, contact TFGC at P.O. Box 891, Georgetown, Texas 78627, or call 512-868-9842.