Maine Hay Contest recognizes farms and families that produced the best hay in 2024
Waterville, Maine — At the 2024 Maine Forage Conference in November, University of Maine Cooperative Extension recognized the winning farms of the Maine Hay Contest: Hardy Farm in Farmington, Melody Ridge Farm in Pittsfield and Conant Acres in Canton.
Hardy Farm is an organic dairy operation run by Henry and Teresa Hardy. The well-diversified farm has around 85 registered Ayrshires and 20 Holsteins, including cows and young stock. Michael and Hillary Clewley, owners of Melody Ridge Farm, raise grass-fed lamb, Dorper and Katahdin hair sheep, meat rabbits and ducks. They also sell rough-sawn lumber, cedar fence materials and seasoned firewood. Matthew Sneller is the forage manager at Conant Acres, a fifth-generation family farm that offers farm-fresh milk, cheese, meat, seasonal produce and other specialty Maine products.
With over 100,000 acres, hay is the state’s third largest crop and was valued at $38,988,000 in 2023, second only to blueberries and potatoes. Hay quality is based on factors such as moisture and fiber content, protein concentration and digestibility which together make up the relative feed quality (RFQ) index. For good hay, the RFQ index should be greater than 150. This year’s winners received RFQ scores of 180, 166 and 165, exemplifying the quality hay that can be produced right here in Maine.
The Maine Hay Contest is an annual event that seeks to help producers grow better hay. Extension staff visit each participant’s farm to collect the hay sample and provide guidance on improving growing and management practices. Staff handle the transportation and analysis in a certified laboratory, and follow up by sharing and interpreting the results. Through this process, growers can gain a better understanding of the quality of their hay and how to improve it. Registration for next year will open in June 2025. More information, including contest rules, can be found on the program website.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.