NATIONAL HAY QUALITY AWARDS
Presented by Feed Central
Welcome to the prestigious National Hay Quality Awards, Australia’s only annual celebration of excellence in the hay industry. Every year, Feed Central proudly recognises outstanding achievements in hay production, showcasing the dedication of farmers to the quality of their products.
Feed Central is Australia’s largest domestic hay distributor and provider of NIR feed testing, and developer of the only nationally recognised system for hay quality assessment.
Awards Categories
Our awards are designed to recognise various aspects of hay production, highlighting both the science and hard work behind creating top-tier fodder. Awards are presented in the following categories:
- Feed Test Results: Recognising hay with superior nutritional content, ensuring optimal animal health and performance.
- Visual Appearance: Celebrating the hay that meets our coveted FCAA rating, with the greenest and freshest hay, grown and cut at the ideal time.
- Bale Weight: Acknowledging precision in baling and ensuring consistent bale weights, a critical factor in feed management for both cereal hay and straw production.
- Farmer of the Year: Celebrating those dedicated farmers who actively engage with our training and consistently uphold the highest standards of quality hay through visual grading and feed testing.
Eligibility and Selection
Every Feed Central customer whose hay has undergone both a visual inspection by our Hay Quality Inspectors and a Quality Test in our testing laboratory during the previous season, is automatically eligible for these prestigious awards. The winners are chosen from the best results in each category at both the state and national levels. We only award the best hay, and in years where we feel no hay has met our minimum quality requirements, we reserve the right to not award certain categories.
State and National Recognition
The recognition extends beyond individual farms. Winners are celebrated not only within their own state but also on a national level, showcasing the best hay production practices from around the country. We also recognise the contractors whose hard work ensures hay is expertly harvested and baled, ensuring optimised weight and nutritional quality.
AFIA Conference Presentation
The National Hay Quality Awards presentation takes place at the yearly Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA). This annual event gathers industry professionals, farmers, and the wider agricultural community to share knowledge, insights, and innovations in the fodder industry. The award ceremony is a highlight of the conference, celebrating hay producers’ dedication and hard work.
Join us in celebrating excellence in hay production and promoting the advancement of the industry. At Feed Central, we are committed to recognising and encouraging the highest standards in hay quality, and we look forward to honouring the outstanding contributors who fuel the success of the Australian hay industry.