NC Hay Samples Rank High at the Southeastern Hay Contest

Oct 28, 2024

By Miguel Castillo

Since 2015, forage samples from North Carolina have continuously been submitted to the Southeastern Hay Contest and have consistently placed in the top-3 positions of several categories, specially alfalfa. Beeson Farms from Climax, NC and Mountainside Farm from Taylorsville, NC have consitently ranked high in the contest and specially in the alfalfa category. See a historical summary. Alfalfa hay samples from North Carolina farmers have been the overall contest winners for the last three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) with the highest Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) index values ≥327.

In 2024, the cool-season perennial grass category top-three positions were obtained by NC hay samples from Cline Farms (Valdese, NC), Brandon Creech (Zebulon, NC) and Mountainside Farm (Taylorsville, NC). In addition, sample from Brandon Creech ranked 3rd in the legume baleage category.

Following the contest motto, “prove your hay is the best”, NC farmers continue to produce high quality hay in the Southeast USA. Congratulations to our producers and their County Extension Agents.

Source : ncsu.edu

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta