Georgia Farm Bureau members who produce bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the 2010 GFB Quality Hay Contest.

The annual contest is sponsored by the GFB Hay Advisory Committee and is designed to encourage the production of better quality hay in Georgia. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the University of Georgia testing lab using the Relative Forage Quality Test, which predicts the fiber digestibility and animal intake of hay.

Winners will be determined by the results of the lab analysis and a visual inspection by a forage specialist.

Final judging of the top five lab analysis samples will occur at the annual GFB Convention on Jekyll Island in December. Winners will be announced Dec. 6. Contest participants will receive a detailed printout of their hay analysis information from the University of Georgia.



Prizes will be presented to the top five producers. The first place winner will receive the free use for one year of a Vermeer Trailed Hay Mower, compliments of the Vermeer Manufacturing Company, with the option to buy it at a reduced price at the end of the year.

Entry forms outlining the procedure for entering the contest and rules may be picked up at your local county Farm Bureau office. There is a $10 entry fee to cover the analysis of each sample entered. The deadline for entering the contest is Oct. 29.