The Southeastern Hay Contest is more than just a competition – it's an extesion-led regional effort effort to raise awareness about the importance on how managing/matching hay testing and livestock needs can lead to better results for farmers. Now in its 21st year, the 2025 contest is building on a strong legacy, with a record of 496 samples submitted in 2024.

Since 2015, North Carolina producers have consistently excelled in all of the 14 categories of the contest (see summary). Noteworthy, North Carolina producers won the overall contest (grand prize) in the last 3-consecutive years (2022-2024) in the alfalfa category. Alfalfa is one of the most valued forage crops in the USA. We can confidently say that North Carolina knows hay.

Living up to the contest's motto, “prove your hay is the best”, farmers across the state are producing top-tier forage year after year. We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store!The awards will be presented during the SunbeltAgExpo in Moultrie, Georgia (October 14-16, 2025).

To submit samples, please contact your local county extension agent and see the 2025 contest rules.