The 2025 Austin County Hay Show and Fall Forage Program took place on October 20 at the American Legion Hall on the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville. Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service โ Austin County Office, the event celebrated the dedication and skill of local hay producers and ranchers. The show was organized by County Extension Agent Stacie M. Villarreal, MS, with support from the Austin County Beef & Forage Committee.
This yearโs event was held in conjunction with the Austin County Fair, providing an opportunity for producers to have their forage samples tested and evaluated for quality. The program also included educational presentations on best practices in agricultural management and livestock care.
Educational Presentations
Participants at the Austin County Hay Show heard from several experts in the field, including:
- Nicholas Villarreal of Trailโs End Services, who discussed โMethods of Herbicide Applications from IPT to Drones.โ
- Dr. Joe Paschal, retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Livestock Specialist, who provided insights on โExternal Cattle Winter Pest Control and Screwworm Update.โ
- Representatives from Nutrien Solutions, who shared expertise on โBasic Herbicide Weed Management.โ
Overall Winners
- Grand Champion: Kiley Krueger (Coastal)
- Reserve Champion: Matt Waak (Cheyenne)
Category Winners
Coastal Bermudagrass
- Kiley Krueger (Coastal)
- Matt Waak (Alicia)
Other Bermudagrasses
- Matt Waak (Cheyenne)
- Dean Allred (Tifton 85)
Warm Season Annual Grasses
- Nicholas Herr (Sorghum Almum)
- Nicholas Herr (Sorghum Almum)
Other Warm Season Perennial Grasses
- Matt Waak (Johnson grass)
- Katie Huebner (Klinegrass)
Cool Season Grasses
- Kaesee Brune (Ryegrass)
All Other Mixed Grasses
- Katie Huebner (Coastal/Johnson grass)
- Hunter Krueger (Coastal, Bermuda)
Competition and Awards
A total of 54 forage samples from Austin and Waller counties were entered in this yearโs Austin County Hay Show competition. Overall winners received custom belt buckles, a signature honor recognizing excellence in forage production. Winning entries were displayed in the Ag-Ventures Building during the Austin County Fair.
Community Participation
The Hay Show was open to all hay producers in Austin and surrounding counties, fostering community collaboration and agricultural education. The event not only encouraged friendly competition but also highlighted the importance of forage quality in maintaining strong local cattle operations.
For more information about future Hay Shows or to learn how to enter next yearโs competition, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County at 979-865-2072.
