The Northeast Georgia Hay Contest has been recognizing exceptional quality hay production since 2014 in Madison, Oglethorpe, Jackson, Banks, Elbert, Hart, Clarke, and Franklin Counties. The contest is a joint program of the UGA Extension offices in each participating county. Two farms were recently recognized at an annual awards banquet for winning hay submissions in 2022. Wheless Farms, represented by Vance Mattox, Ross Holcomb, and Peyton Mattox, received recognition as the 3rd highest RFQ entry for grass baleage in 2022. Drew Gaines of Rolling Rock Farm received the 1st place award in the grass baleage category. RFQ (Relative Forage Quality) is an index that can be used to rank the nutritional value of forage crops across species.
Hay and baleage samples for the 2023 contest are currently being accepted. Contact Shanna Reynolds, the Ag and Natural Resource Agent for Oglethorpe County, for rules and entry information.
Email: shanna.reynolds@uga.edu
Phone: 706-743-8341