Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Dairy Business Communications, Penn State Extension Dairy Team, Professional Dairy Managers, and the Center for Dairy Excellence are hosting the second annual Dairy Summit “Forage Analysis Competition”, being held in conjunction with the 2015 Dairy Summit.

Pennsylvania residents who are dairy or crop producers can submit 2014 harvested forage sample entries only by December 31, 2014, using the online registration form. Samples should arrive at CVAS Labs no later than January 5, 2015 with completed entry form printed and enclosed with one full gallon sample of forage.

All forage samples should be mailed to Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, 14515 Industry Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742. When mailing samples to CVAS, label each sample bag with the correct category entry number assigned to it on printed entry form. Samples will be judged on 65% Forage Analysis, 25% Visual Appearance, and 10% Yield. No checks or other forms of payment should be mailed with samples.

All payments can be processed online or sent to Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, c/o Forage Analysis Competition, 174 Crestview Drive, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 no later than January 15, 2015. The cost per sample entered is $20 and payment must be received to be considered as a finalist in the competition.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 4, during the opening session of the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit at the Lancaster Marriott in Lancaster, Pa. Winning entries and finalists will be on display in the trade show area during the Dairy Summit February 4 – 5. Prizes will be awarded for 1st ($1,000), 2nd ($500) and 3rd ($250) in each of the six categories. Prizes are funded by category sponsorships. Sponsors of each category class will be announced within the coming weeks.

Contest entry forms are available to download at online under “Program” and entries must be submitted by December 31. Those who participate in the contest will also receive free forage analyses for their samples from Cumberland Valley Analytic Services. However, for analysis requests beyond contest parameters, Cumberland Valley Analytical Services charges will apply.