County's Hay Rocks With The Flock
By Diane Booth Conway,
Merced County Fair Communications & Marketing Director

The theme of the 2008 Merced County Fair was “Come Rock With The Flock,” and sheep were the featured agricultural product, but the county's hay also was in the spotlight.

The results are in for the Fair's Hay Growers' Contest. The annual competition is open only to hay growers living in Merced County. Judging was done and lab tests were conducted before the fair, which was July 15-20. The contest limits each grower to one bale of hay per division.

All entries must be from the current 2008 crop. Lab tests include testing a sample of the hay for specific nutrient content and the physical judging is based on baled conformation.

The results are:

Alfalfa Hay (Lab test):

• Charles Cooper, Merced, first
• Holly Pellicano, El Nido, second
• Dustin Mancebo, Dos Palos, third
• Edward Silva, El Nido, fourth

Alfalfa Hay (Physical Judging):

• Ashley Oliveira, Gustine, Gustine FFA, first
• Charles Cooper, Merced, second
• Patrick Borrelli,  Gustine, third
• Edward Silva, El Nido, fourth

Oat Hay (Physical Judging):

• Holly Pellicano, El Nido, first
• Pimentel and Fagundes, Atwater, second
• Billy Pimentel, Atwater, third
• Frank A. Fagundes, Atwater, fourth

Winter Forage (Physical Judging):

• Patrick Borrelli, Gustine, first
• Frank A. Fagundes, Atwater, second
• Pimentel and Fagundes, Atwater, third
• Billy Pimentel, Atwater, fourth

For information, call the fair office at 722-1507 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com or fax at 722-3773. Visit the 2008 Merced County Fair’s award-winning website, www.MercedCountyFair.com

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