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Telfair County's Kerry Knowles wins GFB Quality Hay Contest

by Georgia Farm Bureau


Posted on Dec 21, 2020 at 0:00 AM


Kerry Knowles of Telfair County won first place in the 2020 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Quality Bermudagras Hay Contest.

Knowles, who won with a sample of Tift 85 Bermudagrass, receives the use of a Vermeer 604R Baler for one year, with the option to purchase at a reduced price at the end of the year. In addition to hay, Knowles raises beef cattle.

The goal of the GFB Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest is to encourage producers to improve the quality of their hay via forage analysis from the University of Georgia Feed and Forage Lab. GFB members producing bermudagrass hay within Georgia compete in terms of relative forage quality (RFQ). RFQ is a measure of the hay’s nutrient content and palatability for livestock. The contest drew 33 entries statewide and the average RFQ score was 122.

Knowles’ sample achieved an RFQ of 177.6.

Jeff Bacon of Laurens County was second with his sample of Coastal Bermudagrass with an RFQ of 147. Bacon receives a $200 gift card provided by GFB, a hay bale sample probe and a gift bag provided by the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) and GFB. 

Jimbo Crumley of Morgan County (Tift 85, RFQ 140.8) was third. Crumley receives a $100 gift card from GFB and a gift bag provided by GCA and GFB.

James Hawkins of Glascock County (Coastal Bermudagrass, RFQ 138) finished fourth and receives a $100 gift card from GFB and a gift bag provided by GCA and GFB.

Jamie Tate of Jeff Davis County (Russell Bermudagrass, RFQ 133) was fifth and receives a $100 gift card from GFB and a gift bag provided by GCA and GFB.


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