Ronnie Sullins wins 2008 Rusk County Hay Show contest

Ronnie Sullins' hay was deemed the best during the 2008 Rusk County Hay Show, held Oct. 28 at the Rusk County Exposition Center.

Producers from Rusk County entered 106 hay entries, which were evaluated for protein content. Hay quality was reported very good overall. The top 10 hay samples were auctioned to area businesses to raise money to support the cost of the hay show, including the cost of hay testing.

Lone Star Farm & Home purchased the highest scoring bale of hay grown by Sullins for $325, and the 10th place bale grown by Robert Floyd sold for $175.

Fish & Still Equipment purchased the second highest scoring bale of hay grown by Galan White for $325; the 6th place bale grown by Lynn Mosdell for $175; the 8th place bale grown by Robert Floyd for $150; and the 9th place bale grown by Galan White for $200.

Farm Bureau of Rusk County purchased the 3rd place bale grown by Charles Kinard for $275. Lowe Tractor purchased the 4th place bale grown by Robert Floyd for $225. Citizens National Bank purchased the 5th place bale grown by Alan Vaught for $250. County Line Feed purchased the 7th place bale grown by Oscar Johnson for $225.

At the conclusion of the auction, an educational program was presented by Rick Leopold, area agronomist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The title of his presentation was "IPM and Sustainable Management of Pasture and Hayland."

Lone Star Farm & Home sponsored and served the meal at the event. Music during the meal was provided by Hattie Bridges, a Henderson High School ninth grader.

In addition, over one dozen teams of four participated in the Youth Hay Judging contest earlier that evening. Youth from Rusk County 4-H, Mount Enterprise FFA, Tatum FFA, Laneville FFA and West Rusk FFA competed in the event conducted by the local USDA NRCS office.

An estimated 60,000 acres are used annually to produce hay in Rusk County and support a $40 million per year beef industry in the county.

Applications are available for anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener. The program is in its sixth year in Rusk County. The Texas Master Gardeners program offers participants an intensive horticulture training course consisting of topics including lawn care; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition.

In addition, Master Gardeners also receive instruction in vegetable gardening, home fruit production, and many other relevant topics. In return, Master Gardeners provide volunteer service to the community.

A new class will begin in January 2009. Students will receive 50 hours of instruction during the training period. The class will meet once per week, primarily on Wednesdays, from January through April. The class includes lectures and field trips to areas of interest in the surrounding area. Contact the Extension office for more details by calling (903)657-0376.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.