Grand Champion in Dairy Hay Category

Mycogen Seeds alfalfa varieties had a strong showing in three separate divisions: dairy hay, dairy haylage and commercial hay at the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl. A Mycogen Seeds grower was named Grand Champion of the Dairy Hay category.

“We are very pleased with the results our customers achieved in the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl,” says Greg Cannon, Marketing Specialist, Mycogen Seeds. “We offer elite alfalfa varieties that perform well under a wide range of conditions.”

The sponsors of the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl are AgSource Cooperative Services, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay and Forage Grower/Webb Publications, USDA Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin-College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and World Dairy Expo.

Hay and haylages are analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) and relative forage quality (RFQ). RFQ is a ranking based on digestibility and should not be confused or compared to relative feed value (RFV). All entries of haylage must have been ensiled and show signs of fermentation.

The hay/haylage finalist samples were judged according to the following criteria:

Forage Analysis              60%
Visual                            20%
Herd Production Info       10%
Milk Per Ton                   10%

The commercial division of hay/baleage were judged on these criteria:

Forage Analysis              70%
Visual                            30%

“Hay samples from Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, that placed in the competition represented a broad range of alfalfa varieties,” explains Cannon. “Our diverse lineup allows growers to choose the proper variety for their geography and management practices.”

The Grand Champion Dairy Hay division was won by Mike Beun, Waterloo, Wis., who planted Mycogen 4A421. Also earning sixth place was Sievert Heritage Home, Bonduel, Wis.

In the dairy haylage division, Mycogen Seeds growers who were finalists include:

Triple G Farms LLC, Neillsville, Wis.; John Schaendorf, Allegan, Mich.; and McNallan Farms, Kellogg, Minn.

In the commercial hay division, Jahn Farms, Port Hope, Mich. was a finalist.

“Our alfalfa varieties offer excellent yield potential and provide superior forage quality for increased returns per acre,” Cannon concludes.

Mycogen Seeds is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Mycogen Seeds is the leader in Silage-Specific^™ corn, the largest sunflower seed producer, and a leading producer of seed corn, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum.

^âäMycogen and the Mycogen M Logo are trademarks of Mycogen Corporation.