Tom Luebke of Mayer took the grand champion forage honor and was awarded a $2,500 check for his grass hay entry in the World Forage Analysis Superbowl, held earlier this month at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.

Luebke’s grass hay tested at 19.6% crude protein, 29.77% neutral detergent fiber and had a relative forage quality of 216, for 4,086 pounds of milk per ton of forage.

The cash award, presented by Kemin, was one of many recognizing top-quality forage entries in the annual contest.

TOP GRASS HAY: Eugene Rodberg with Kemin (left) presented Tom and Jody Luebke, Mayer (center), with a check for winning the grand champion forage honor at the World Dairy Expo. Al Deming, World Dairy Expo board president (right), assisted with the presentation. (Photo by Harlen Persinger)

More than $25,000 in cash prizes was awarded to top-finishing producers participating in this year’s contest. Producers submitted 373 entries in eight forage categories, representing 24 states and provinces, including entries in the new organic hay category. Winners were announced Oct. 5 at the World Forage Analysis Superbowl Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Mycogen Seeds.

Each category’s first-place finisher received $1,500. Second-place winners received $500; third-place winners, $250; and fourth-place winners, $100 each.

Other Minnesota farmers who placed in the forage competition include:

• Schwantes Dairy, Perham, for the top entry in another category, Quality Counts, for corn silage. Croplan by WinField presented the dairy with $1,000.
• Jack Stamschror, Kellogg, second place, grand champion dairy hay category
• Holst Farms, Lake City, third place, grand champion dairy hay category
• Jack Stamschror, Kellogg, second place, grand champion grass hay category
• Calvin and Tammy Beumer, Hillman, fifth place, grand champion haylage category
• Daystar Dairy, Little Falls, second place, grand champion BMR corn silage category

Growers from across the U.S. and Canada were invited to send their best samples in either dairy or commercial divisions. Dairy samples were judged on lab analysis (60%), visual judging (30%) and calculated milk per ton (10%). Commercial entries are judged on lab analysis (70%) and visual judging (30%). Visual judging consists of analysis of the color, texture, maturity and leafiness, depending on the category. Dairyland Laboratories in DePere, Wis., tested the samples.

Sponsors of the 2016 World Forage Analysis Superbowl include category sponsors Ag-Bag, Agri-King, Agrisure Traits, Barenbrug USA, Blue River Hybrids, Croplan by WinField, Kemin, Kuhn North America, Mycogen Seeds, Nexgrow alfalfa and W-L Research. Additional support is provided by the National Hay Association and Mycogen Seeds.

Source: World Dairy Expo