Two of the winners, Jerome Shirley of Bunnaloo, southern NSW, and the Peacock Family Group from Timmering, northern Victoria, scored multiple successes.
The Peacock Family Group won the Victorian and national titles for the best lucerne feed test and visual appearance score.
The Peacock Family Group was also recognised as contractors for the best vetch hay feed test analysis and visual appearance for Shirley Farms, as well as NSW best vetch visual appearance for Anthony and Karl Bibby of Berriwillock.
The best cereal hay visual appearance score and vetch feed test analysis was won by Josh Lanyon, Lanyon Hay Making, Boort.
Feed Central managing director Tim Ford said that like last year, overall hay quality had been affected by the wet season.
“The winners this year put in a massive effort to dodge rain and storm events to produce good quality hay under very trying conditions,” Mr Ford said.
“Surprisingly, there was still some reasonable volumes of good hay produced along with a lot of downgraded hay.
“The market is always chasing good quality hay and the majority has sold.”
Mr Ford said separate visual appearance and feed test analysis awards were important.
“Many sectors of the market seem to only measure feed tests these days, but we’re as strong as ever on the visual component.
“Buyers expect to see good quality and reports indicate that lower visual grade hay, even if it feed tests well, seems to cause more health and consumption issues for livestock.”
The awards cover lucerne, cereal and vetch, and contractors are also acknowledged alongside farmers.
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