SAVE THE DATE!
The Fall Beef Management Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m. at the Payne County Expo Center.
We’re excited to introduce something new this year, the Payne County Hay Contest! The contest will provide a snapshot of local forage quality and help guide our discussion on whether cattle may need supplementation this fall and winter.
The first 30 forage samples submitted will receive a free forage analysis. To participate in the contest, samples must be submitted by August 14. No late entries will be accepted.
Hay Contest Criteria:
- Open to all producers with dry hay harvested in Payne County in 2026.
- One free forage analysis per farm or ranch (first 30 samples only).
- One representative forage sample per entry following OSU forage sampling recommendations. Along with a gallon size bag for visual appraisal.
- Two categories (dry hay only):
- Warm-season forages
- Cool-season forages
- Champion and Reserve Champion samples will be recognized in each category based on forage quality results at the Fall Beef Management Seminar.
- Hay must have been harvested in Payne County in 2026.
- After the first 30 complimentary forage analyses have been claimed, producers may still enter by submitting a 2026 forage analysis completed by the OSU Soil, Water & Forage Analytical Laboratory at the producer’s expense.
- Judging: Entries will be evaluated using the Dry Matter Basis forage analysis results from the OSU Soil, Water & Forage Analytical Laboratory. Samples will be evaluated based on quality in comparison to beef cattle nutrient requirements.
All forage analysis results will be discussed as a group during the fall program to provide a snapshot of forage quality across Payne County and assist producers with supplementation decisions for the upcoming fall and winter feeding season. Individual producer results will remain confidential except for recognized contest winners.
Join us for an evening of education, practical management information, and a little friendly competition! A complete program agenda and additional details will be shared as we get closer to the event.
Have questions about collecting a forage sample or how much hay to submit? Give our office a call; we’re happy to help! We also have forage probes available to loan for collecting representative forage samples.
If you have any questions, please call or email our office.
PAYNE COUNTY OSU EXTENSION
315 W. 6th Ave., Suite 103 | Stillwater, OK 74074
P: 405-747-8320
We look forward to seeing you there!
