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October 20, 2009

Annual Hay Show & Sale takes place Thursday at Expo Center

Grand and reserve champions announced

Progress staff reports

news@jacksonvilleprogress.com

The Annual Hay Show & Sale will be held Thursday at the Cherokee County Exposition Center on Loop 456.

The show was planned by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s Agri-Business Committee. A barbecue will begin at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m. The grand and reserve champions have already been announced.

More than 85 Cherokee County hay samples have been analyzed and the results will be given that evening. This year, a total of 30 hay samples will be sold beginning at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville exposition center.

This year’s grand champion is Jerry Scruggs, of Jacksonville, with a 24.09 percent crude protein count. The reserve champion is Wes O’Connell, of Jacksonville, with a 23.07 percent count. Wayne Beal, of Troup, came in third with 17.1 percent. Around 5 percentage points separate third place from the last sample to be sold.

During the show, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee, Cherokee County Extension Service and the Cherokee County Soil & Water Conservation offer Cherokee County farmers and ranchers free testing of their hay for protein. The hay entered was forage tested, which provides information on crude protein and estimates of TDN for producers. There is no charge for the testing. However, hay must be produced in Cherokee County to be eligible for testing. Hay samples were collected in early September.

The FFA and 4-H students of Cherokee County have the opportunity to compete with other clubs in judging the quality of the hay entered. The students will be able to advance to state competition through judging. The show also offers a chance for the hay growers to compete with their neighbors and the satisfaction to know how the hay they grow compares to others. Quality of hay can vary greatly; in order for producers to properly feed or supplement hay they need to have it tested.

In 2008, the auction raised more than $23,000. Crystal Jones, of Jacksonville, was the grand champion, selling her hay for $2,600. Reserve grand champion was M & M Farms, with a total income of $1,075. A total of 40 hay samples were auctioned in one hour as scholarship funds were raised for the youth of Cherokee County.

Proceeds from this auction are given to the Scholarship Fund, Cherokee County Exposition Center and the Cherokee County Soil & Water Conservation District. The Scholarship Fund collects one-half and the other two entities split the remaining proceeds.

This annual event would not happen without the volunteers and businesses that support the agricultural program for Cherokee County. Serving on the Agri-Business Committee are Charles Dickerson and Roland Adams, co-chairs; and committee members Bill Poteet, Aaron Low, James Tennison, Ralph Lindsey, Jimmy Bain, Reggie McCollum, Byron Underwood, Dr. Justin Cavitt, Keith Lindsey, Rene McCracken, Willie Arnwine and James Batton. For more information, contact the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at 800-376-2217 or 903-586-2217, or call Aaron Low at the Cherokee County Extension Office, 903-683-5416.

Hay show officials are expecting around 200 guests at the event.

The Annual Hay Show and Sale was started to improve competition between those who raise hay to foster superior hay.

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