The Indiana Forage Council with assistance from Purdue Extension and SureTech Laboratories is holding a contest for Indiana producers who will harvest forage for hay or baleage for this season.

The Hoosier Hay Contest, sponsored by Huston Inc., seeks to promote forage production, inform producers on the nutritive value of their hay and encourage them to sample and test their hay or baleage before feeding it to livestock. The event also is designed to create a friendly competition among producers on who produces higher-quality hay.

SureTech Laboratories in Indianapolis will analyze samples and release them to the contest organizer, producer and producer’s local Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources educator, who will work with the producer to interpret the analysis and determine how best to use the forage in the producer’s operation.

There are two categories: Hay or baleage. Prize money will go to first-, second- and third-place entries in both categories. First place will receive $250 and a one-year membership to forage council, second place $150 and third place $100.

Winners will be recognized at the annual forage council meeting and on the website. The cost is $10 per sample with the contest being limited to 100 samples. Entries are due by Sept. 30. Rules and entry forms can be found online at indianaforage.org.

For information, contact Nick Minton at 812-279-4330 or [email protected] or Jason Tower at 812-678-4427 or [email protected].