WORLD’S FORAGE ANALYSIS SUPERBOWL ANNOUNCES 2009 WINNERS

Madison, Wis. – More than 320 entries from 25 states competed for top honors and over $17,000 in cash prizes at the 26th annual World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo. South Town Dairy Farm of South New Berlin, N.Y. earned Grand Champion honors and received a $2,000 check from Kuhn North America Farm Machinery, Inc. David Sensening of Platteville, Wis. was named Champion First Time Entrant and received $500.

Other champions include:

The first place entrant in each category received a check for $1,500, while second place received $500, and third place received $250.

The World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl provides growers from across the United States and Canada an opportunity to vie for forage awards by entering their high quality samples in a dairy or commercial division. Dairy samples are judged on lab analysis (60%), visual judging (30%), and calculated milk per ton (10%). Commercial entries are judged on lab analysis (70%) and visual judging (30%). Visual judging consists of analyzing the color, texture, maturity and leafiness, depending on the category. AgSource Soil and Forage Laboratory, Bonduel, Wis., tested the samples.

New to the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl was the addition of the Quality Counts categories. The Quality Counts awards were implemented to reward producers submitting quality samples. The winner of the Corn Silage Quality Counts winner was David Sensening of Platteville, Wis. The winner of the Quality Counts award for Alfalfa/Grass was Meggie Walz of Glen Haven, Wis. Each of the winners received a check for $1,000. The Quality Counts categories are sponsored by Croplan Genetics.

The champion forage producers were honored Sept. 30, at the Mycogen World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl Awards Luncheon held at World Dairy Expo. Additional sponsors included Aitchison/Tigerco Distributing Co. and the National Hay Association.

The World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl provides a unique opportunity for World Dairy Expo visitors to view quality forage entries, hear forage experts speak about forage production and milk profitability, and ask questions about forage research.

Organizing partners who volunteer to manage the program include AgSource Cooperative Services, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay and Forage Grower/Penton Media, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and World Dairy Expo.