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County Hay Verification Program

Extension Education

Amy Heck
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair/ Agriculture
United States
Heber Springs

Abstract

The cost of producing hay is seldom ever known by producers.  Projects like this one has shown hay costing at least $40 per 4x5 round bales.  The goal of this project is to help producers realize the cost of hay production and to make recommendations to help make production more efficient.  This project also teaches producers to use Integrated Pest Management principles to better manage their forage.  A verification field is one where the producer agrees to work with the County Extension Agent and follows Extension recommendations. Visits were made weekly to scout for pests such as weeds and insects.  Based on pest found, recommendations would be made.  Inputs were recorded on the field throughout 2021-22 and the State Agriculture Economic Specialist assisted in putting together an enterprise budget for the field. This information is reviewed with the producer to help them better understand the economics of producing hay.  The information is also used to educate producers through meetings and newsletter articles.  The producer baled 4x5 round bales that averaged 805 lbs. in 2021 and 831 lbs. in 2022.  The cost per bale was $36.09 per bale in 2021 and $51.69 per bale in 2022.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

A poster file has not been provided

Authors: Amy Heck, Brian Haller, Kevin Lawson, Zack Gardener, James Mitchell
  1. Heck, A. County Extension Agent - Staff Chair/ Agriculture, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72543
  2. Haller, B. County Extension Agent - Staff Chair/Agriculture, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72143
  3. Lawson, K. Ozark District Director, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72204
  4. Gardener, Z. County Extension Agent Agriculture, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72034
  5. Mitchell, J. Assistant Professor - Livestock Marketing and Management, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72204