MACON, Ga. — 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.
–Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
MACON, Ga. – Some 1,416 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 4-6 for the 85th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Convention. The three-day event included a trade show, awards presentations and educational sessions that briefed farmers on policy and production issues affecting Georgia’s major commodities. GFB President […]
MACON, Ga. — Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow any variety of Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest. Hay entered in the 2022 GFB Quality Hay Contest will be tested at the UGA Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of […]
MACON, Ga. — While attending the Georgia Farm Bureau Presidents’ Conference held Feb. 2 in Augusta, county leaders learned to effectively advocate for agriculture and gained insight into the organization’s new county awards program, marketing efforts, Certified Farm Markets Passport, ag literacy and leadership programs. “I hope you learn a lot and thank you for […]
MACON, Ga. — Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) voting delegates elected the organization’s 2022 board of directors on Dec. 7 during the 84th Annual GFB Convention held on Jekyll Island. GFB President Tom McCall begins the second year of the two-year term GFB voting delegates elected him to last December. McCall and his family grow a […]
MACON, Ga. — Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest by Oct. 31. Hay entered in the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an […]
