MACON – Georgia Farm Bureau members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2013 Quality Hay Contest. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay.

“I’d like to encourage all of our Newton County Farm Bureau members who have grown Bermudagrass hay this year to consider entering the contest,” said Newton County Farm Bureau President Keith Mitcham. “Each person who enters the contest will receive a copy of the analysis information from the University of Georgia testing lab, which is a great tool for measuring the nutrition quality of your hay and seeing how you may need to make adjustments in your hay production methods to improve the quality of your hay.”

Producers may enter more than one sample in the contest. There is a $15 entry fee for each sample entered to cover the cost of the lab work. Applications are available at the Newton County Farm Bureau office or may be downloaded at the GFB website http:/www.gfb.org/commodities. Checks to cover the entry fee should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry forms
and samples should be sent to the GFB Commodities Department, 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. The deadline to enter is Nov. 1.