This item has been supplied by a forage marketer and has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hay & Forage Grower.
Up to $10,000 in prizes will be awarded in the third annual “Forage Analysis Competition,” being held in conjunction with the 2016 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit. Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Professional Dairy Managers, the Center for Dairy Excellence, Dairy Business Communications and Penn State Extension Dairy Team are again hosting the annual contest to showcase excellence in Pennsylvania forage production.
Forage samples in six categories are being accepted. Pennsylvania residents who are dairy or crop producers can submit 2015 harvested forage sample entries only by December 31, 2015, using the online registration form found at www.padairysummit.org/forageentryform/. Samples should arrive at CVAS Labs no later than January 5, 2016 with completed entry form printed and enclosed with one full gallon sample of forage.
The six classes within the forage competition include:
- Traditional Corn Silage (non-BMR)
- Brown Midrib
- Corn Silage
- Perennial Legume Haylage- Sponsored by Ecosyl Products
- Grass Haylage and Small Grain Forage
- Forage Sorghum- Sponsored by Alta Seeds
- Baleage (includes legume & mixed perennials)- Sponsored by King Agri Seeds
All forage samples should be mailed to Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, 14515 Industry Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742. When mailing samples to CVAS, label each sample bag with the correct category entry number assigned to it on printed entry form. Samples will be judged on 65% Forage Analysis, 25% Visual Appearance, and 10% Yield. No checks or other forms of payment should be mailed with samples.
All payments can be processed online or sent to Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, c/o Forage Analysis Competition, 174 Crestview Drive, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 no later than January 15, 2016. The cost per sample entered is $25 and payment must be received to be considered as a finalist in the competition.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 10, during the opening session of the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit at the Penn Stater Convention Center, State College, PA. Winning entries and finalists will be on display in the trade show area during the Dairy Summit February 10-11. Prizes will be awarded for 1st ($1,000), 2nd ($500) and 3rd ($250) in each of the six categories. Prizes are funded by category sponsorships. Additional sponsors will be announced within the coming weeks.
Contest entry forms are available to download at www.padairysummit.org, under “Program,” and entries must be submitted by December 31. Those who participate in the contest will also receive free forage analyses for their samples from Cumberland Valley Analytic Services. However, for analysis requests beyond contest parameters, Cumberland Valley Analytical Services charges will apply.
For more information about the summit forage analysis competition, contact the Summit Business Office at info@padairysummit.org or by calling 814-355-2467.
