Publication Date
1993
Description
A hay marketing association was formed in Kentucky in 1989 as a means of increasing farm income and ·10 hedge against the uncertain future of tobacco production. The Kentucky Pride Hay Grower's Association (KPHGA) was designed to work in concert· with a hay testing and inspection service operated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). This testing service used near• infrared reflectance (NIR) technology as well as a visual appraisal by trained hay inspectors. The association may sell hay only which had been tested and inspected by the KDA. The hay association is a non-profit organisation designed to market Kentucky hay to available markets and to educate farmers on the art and science of producing a high quality, marketable product. The KPHGA has been successful in facilitating the sale of quality hay both within Kentucky and in states lo the south east. Challenges faced by the association have Included teaching producers how to grow hay for cash sales, getting sufficient visual and physical descriptions to sell hay to dairy and horse markets, and generating sales tonnage commission such that the association is self-supporting.
Citation
Henning, Jimmy C.; Lacefield, G D.; and Sims, B, "A Quality-Tested Hay Market Association in the South-Eastern USA" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session15/6
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
A Quality-Tested Hay Market Association in the South-Eastern USA
A hay marketing association was formed in Kentucky in 1989 as a means of increasing farm income and ·10 hedge against the uncertain future of tobacco production. The Kentucky Pride Hay Grower's Association (KPHGA) was designed to work in concert· with a hay testing and inspection service operated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). This testing service used near• infrared reflectance (NIR) technology as well as a visual appraisal by trained hay inspectors. The association may sell hay only which had been tested and inspected by the KDA. The hay association is a non-profit organisation designed to market Kentucky hay to available markets and to educate farmers on the art and science of producing a high quality, marketable product. The KPHGA has been successful in facilitating the sale of quality hay both within Kentucky and in states lo the south east. Challenges faced by the association have Included teaching producers how to grow hay for cash sales, getting sufficient visual and physical descriptions to sell hay to dairy and horse markets, and generating sales tonnage commission such that the association is self-supporting.
