Indianhead Holsteins of Barron, Wisconsin, was named Champion Forage Producer and received a $2,500 check from Nutrisave Forage Management Systems.

 Atwater Farms of Banker, New York, was named Champion First Time Entrant and received $1,500 from Kuhn North America.

Champion forage producers were honored on October 3, at the Mycogen Seeds World Forage Analysis Superbowl Awards Luncheon, held at World Dairy Expo.

In total, over $22,000 in cash prizes were awarded to contest winners. Other champions include:


Dairy Hay: Rainbow’s End Dairy; Waldo, Wisconsin; division sponsor: W-L Research

Dairy Haylage: Tim Mater; Deckerville, Michigan; division sponsor: Ag-Bag

Dairy Corn Silage (Standard): Sunrise Lake Farm; Cuba City, Wisconsin; division sponsor: Kent Nutrition Group

Dairy Corn Silage (BMR): Co-Vista Holsteins; Arcade, New York; division sponsor: Mycogen Seeds

Grass Hay: Pounder Bros Inc; Delavan, Wisconsin; division sponsor: Barenbrug USA

Commercial Hay: Lazy 2K Farm; Wheatland, Wyoming; division sponsor: Bridon Cordage             

Commercial Baleage: Heatherstone Enterprises; Baraboo, Wisconsin; division sponsor: Agri-King

Quality Counts Awards (Corn Silage): Merrell Farms Inc; Wolcott, New York; Croplan Genetics

Quality Counts Awards (Alfalfa/Grass): Dee’s Dairy Inc; Morgan, Utah; division sponsor: Croplan Genetics

The first place entrant in each category received a check for $1,500. Second place winners received $500, third place were awarded $250, and $100 was given to fourth place finishers.

Quality Counts Awards reward quality forage production; however, the criteria for selection are unknown to contestants at the time of entry.

There are two categories. This year’s Corn Silage winner and the Alfalfa/Grass winner were selected based on Total Tract Digestibility. Croplan Genetics presented each of the Quality Counts winners with a $1,000 cash prize.  

The World Forage Analysis Superbowl (WFAS) invites growers from across the United States and Canada to send their best samples in either dairy or commercial divisions.

Dairy samples are judged on lab analysis (60 percent), visual judging (20 percent), herd production information (10 percent) and calculated milk per ton (10 percent).

Commercial entries are judged on lab analysis (70 percent) and visual judging (30 percent).

Visual judging consists of analyzing the color, texture, maturity and leafiness, depending on the category. Dairyland Laboratories, located in DePere, Wisconsin, tested the samples.

The WFAS provides a unique opportunity for World Dairy Expo visitors to view quality forage entries, hear forage experts speak about forage production and milk profitability, and ask questions about forage research.

All Forage Tool Box seminars have been approved for credit with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS). Find a complete list of seminars at www.foragesuperbowl.org.

Generous sponsors and capable volunteers make WFAS possible. Organizing partners include AgSource Cooperative Services, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay and Forage Grower/Penton Media, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and World Dairy Expo.  FG

—World Forage Analysis Superbowl press release

PHOTOS

FIRST: From left to right: Sponsors Eugene Rodberg and Todd Johnson, Winners Karyn and Bob Schauf, and Sponsor Pat Couillard. Indianhead Holsteins of Barron, Wisconsin, won Champion Forage Producer.

SECOND: From left to right: Winner Duane Hegna, Winner Mike Holschbach, Sponsor Roland Walters, Winner Chase Holschbach and Sponsor Mark King. Heatherstone Enterprises of Baraboo, Wisconsin, won Commercial Baleage, which was sponsored by Agri-King.

THIRD: From left to right: Sponsor Greg Walker and David Hinman, father of the winner Kellie Hinman. Lazy 2K Farm of Wheatland, Wyoming, won Commercial Hay, which was sponsored by Bridon Cordage.

FORTH: From left to right: Sponsor Nick Francois, Winner Terry Kieler and Sponsor Clay Zimmerman. Sunrise Lake Farm of Cuba City, Wisconsin, won Standard Corn Silage, which was sponsored by Kent Nutrition Group.

FIFTH: From left to right: Spnsor Mike Peterson with Chris Kestell and Jen Benzschawel, representing Rainbow's End Dairy. Rainbow's End Dairy of Waldo, Wisconsin, won Dairy Hay, which was sponsored by W-L Research. Photos by Harlen Persinger.