Torrington farmer leads pack at Wyo Hay Show

Douglas – The Wyoming Hay Show wrapped up with great results at the 2008 Wyoming State Fair. Nearly 100 exhibitors entered hay in 10 classes featuring alfalfa, mixed, grass hay and hay cubes.
    The Premier Exhibitor is Ervin Gara of Torrington. Gara brought in 11 samples, eight of alfalfa and three of grass. Gara says his success was just about getting lucky, but it’s evident that experience and hard work play a role in his quality hay. He also attributes part of the success to his eight employees, who he says are ready to act when the hay is just right to bale.
    “It was about Mother Nature and the luck of the draw coming together,” says Gara.
    Gara has shown in the Wyoming Hay Show for four years and placed at the top of the alfalfa class two years ago. His samples were then sent on to the World Dairy Expo, where he won World Forage Producer.
    Scott Keith, livestock and forage program manager for the Wyoming Business Council, headed up the hay show. He says the show’s purpose is to showcase Wyoming’s hay crop and alfalfa is the predominant entry due to its popularity among hay producers in the state.
    Several other outstanding entries were recognized at this year’s hay show. Dave Greer from Big Horn County won Best of Show. Keith says the Best of Show category is the hardest to judge because it is the highest quality hay among all categories.
    Greer also topped out with Champion Alfalfa Hay and Gara came in Reserve Champion Alfalfa Hay. Champion Mixed Hay went to David Hinman of Platte County and Reserve Champion Mixed Hay was given to Danny Tadewald of Niobrara County. Champion Grass Hay went to Gerry Danko from Park County and Reserve Champion Grass Hay went to Gara. Two hay cube entries were also represented at this year’s show with Jim Woodward coming in as Champion and Shirley Woodward receiving Reserve Champion.
    Liz LeSatz is the 2008 Summer Intern for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at liz@wylr.net.