NEXGROW® variety 6422Q takes Commercial Hay Grand Champion three years running
Dave Hinman of Hardrock Farms, Wheatland, Wyo., left World Dairy Expo 2013 a World Forage Analysis Superbowl (WFAS) Commercial Hay Grand Champion, beating out his daughter Kellie, who came in second place. The father-daughter duo both placed with the same variety, NEXGROW® 6422Q Alfalfa, which has taken top honors for the past three years.This isn't the first year the Hinmans have gone toe-to-toe at the Superbowl. In 2012, hay from Kellie's farm, Lazy 2K Livestock, beat out her dad for top honors in the Commercial Hay division, also with the 6422Q variety.
"I really rely on the consistency and the quality of 6422Q," said Hinman of his winning variety. "It seems like year in and year out it's at the top and as far as regrowth, it continually comes back quickly and the stems stay fine."
Hinman's winning entry scored 277 for relative forage quality (RFQ) and tested 24.01 for percent crude protein (CP) and 24.73 for percent neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Hinman also took second in the baleage division, again entering with 6422Q. NEXGROW® varieties took two of the top three entries in baleage this year.
"6422Q continues to be a variety that growers are extremely satisfied with, especially those looking for top quality forage for dairy," said Brent Johnson, NEXGROW® Alfalfa brand manager. "This is the third year in a row we've seen 6422Q come out as a Commercial Hay Grand Champion and we're very excited for the Hinmans who continue to see exceptional results from this variety."
This year marked the 30th year of the World Forage Analysis Superbowl and producers submitted 321 entries in seven forage categories, representing 17 states. The winners were announced Oct. 2 at the World Forage Analysis Superbowl Awards Luncheon at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
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, Wis., tested the samples.
Hinman received $1,500 for taking top honors. Additionally, NEXGROW® Alfalfa matches the cash prize for growers who place in the WFAS with a NEXGROW® Alfalfa variety.
*The organizing partners of the World Forage Analysis Superbowl are AgSource Cooperative Services, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay & Forage Grower/Penton Media, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, and World Dairy Expo.
For more information on NEXGROW® alfalfa, talk to your local Syngenta retailer or seed advisor, or visit www.plantNEXGROW.com.
10.11.2013