The annual Austin County Hay Show is just around the corner, and local hay and forage producers are invited to participate by submitting samples of their hay for free analysis. Organized by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in partnership with the Beef & Forage Committee of Austin County, this event plays a vital role in helping producers evaluate the quality of their forage.
Samples will be accepted from August 1 through August 31, 2025, at multiple drop-off locations across the county:
- Bellville: Bellville Farm & Ranch, Linseisen’s Feed & Supply Inc, and the Austin County Extension Office
- Sealy: Steinhauser’s
- Cat Spring: Bernardo Farm & Ranch
- New Ulm: 4M Feed & Ranch
- Industry: Lindemann Store
Each location will provide hay sample boxes and instructions on proper collection techniques. There is no cost for the forage testing, and the program is open to any hay producers from Austin County or surrounding areas.
Testing will be conducted by the Texas A&M Forage Testing Lab, with results available at the Fall Forage Seminar on October 3rd at the Austin County Fairgrounds or sent directly to producers after the event.
The hay analysis measures key nutritional indicators including crude protein, total digestibility, and acid detergent fiber. This data allows producers to make informed decisions about supplementation strategies, particularly in preparing for winter feeding.
Participants may enter samples in the following categories:
- Improved (Hybrid) Bermudagrass (e.g., Coastal, Jiggs, Alicia)
- Other Bermudagrasses (e.g., Common Bermudagrass, Tifton 85)
- Warm Season Annual Grasses (e.g., Hay Grazer, Sorghum Alum)
- Other Warm Season Perennial Grasses (e.g., Bluestem, Kleingrass)
- Cool Season Grasses (e.g., Wheat, Oats, Ryegrass)
- Legumes (e.g., Clover, Cowpea)
- Legume/Grass Mixtures (e.g., Rye/Clover)
- NEW: All Other Mixed Grasses (e.g., Bermudagrass/Johnsongrass)
Full guidelines for the Austin County Hay Show can be found at: https://austin.agrilife.org/hay-show
For questions or further assistance, producers are encouraged to contact Stacie Villarreal, County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, at the Austin County Extension Office: 979-865-2072.
