The Payne County Fall Beef Management Seminar will give cattle producers an opportunity to discuss fall and winter feeding decisions, forage quality and hay management. Payne County Ag Extension Educator Jennifer Patterson spoke with Associate Farm Reporter Carli Davenport about the upcoming seminar, which is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at the Payne County Expo Center. “This is just really a good opportunity for our cattle producers to get together, network, and discuss some timely management decisions,” Patterson said. “And ideally, we want those guys to take home information that they can use in their own operations.”
Seminar to Cover Fall and Winter Feeding
The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at the Payne County Expo Center. Oklahoma State University Extension is partnering with Stillwater Milling Company, along with new partner Barenbrug Seed Company, for the event.
Patterson says the evening will begin with a meal before producers move into the educational portion of the program. “We’ll start with a good meal, and then we go into the educational program,” Patterson said.
The program will include recognition of the first Payne County Hay Contest winners before turning its attention to fall and winter feeding. “We’re going to dive into fall and winter feeding, and how those forage tests are so important and can help you with making those decisions in the fall,” she said.
Forage Quality a Key Concern This Fall
One of the biggest questions facing cattle producers heading into fall is whether the hay and forage they have available will meet their cattle’s nutritional needs. “The big question is, what do I have at home to feed the livestock that I have, and is it going to be enough?” Patterson said.
She emphasized that producers should look beyond simply counting the amount of hay they have stored. “A lot of times we look at the quantity of hay we have, but we really have to look at the quality too,” Patterson said.
Weather conditions throughout the growing season could have an impact on forage quality this year. Patterson pointed to drought conditions as well as heavy rainfall later in the spring that delayed some hay cutting. “We’ve had some environmental stressors this year,” she said. “Of course, the drought conditions. We had some heavy rainfall late spring that delayed some of the cutting, and all those different conditions can affect forage quality.”
The seminar will use actual forage analysis data collected in Payne County to help producers understand what they may be feeding their cattle. “We’re going to look at some actual forage analysis data from right here in Payne County, and have an open discussion of when you need to supplement or how you need to supplement,” Patterson said. The discussion will also address the economics of feeding cattle, including input costs and the hay supply available to producers.
New Payne County Hay Contest Adds Educational Component
A new addition to this year’s event is the Payne County Hay Contest. Patterson described it as a condensed version of a traditional hay contest, but said its purpose extends beyond recognizing winners. “It’s really an educational program too for these producers here,” she said.
Payne County producers were invited to submit hay harvested in 2026. The entries were divided into two categories: warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Producers submitted samples that were evaluated for nutritional characteristics as well as appearance. “We’re going to look at the energy and the protein analysis of those and they brought in samples for visual appraisal too,” Patterson said.
The top two entries in each category will be recognized during the seminar, while the overall data from the contest will be incorporated into the educational program.
Patterson said the contest provides an opportunity for producers to learn more about the hay they are putting in front of their cattle. “It gives us a good reason to celebrate one another’s successes and discuss some of the obstacles that we have,” she said. “We really want to help producers understand what they’re actually feeding to cattle.”
Producers Encouraged to Register Ahead of the Event
Patterson is asking producers to register at least one week before the September 10 seminar.
Registration is available through the Payne County Extension office, the Payne County Extension page or the agriculture email list.
For producers interested in staying informed about upcoming Extension programs, Patterson also encouraged them to join the Payne County Extension agriculture email list.
The goal of the seminar, she said, is ultimately to provide producers with information they can use when making feeding and supplementation decisions for their own herds. “This is just really a good opportunity for our cattle producers to get together, network, and discuss some timely management decisions,” Patterson said.
