Danendale Holsteins tops Tavistock standing hay competition

Rob and Andrew Danen of Danendale Holsteins, west of Sebastopol, were named the 2026 champions in the Tavistock Agricultural Society's annual Standing Hay Competition. Judge Kevin Crispin said all 13 entries featured excellent-quality hay, with very little separating the competitors. Gary West photo

By Gary West

High-quality forage is essential to livestock operations, and this year's Tavistock Agricultural Society Standing Hay Competition once again showcased the region's top hay producers.

The annual competition recognizes area farmers for producing quality forage crops that support dairy, beef, sheep, goat and horse operations.

Judging took place May 20 after producers entered the competition earlier this spring. This year's judge was Kevin Crispin of the Palmerston area, who works with C&M Seeds and previously worked with Speare Seeds. Crispin has extensive experience with forage crops and is also a farmer.

Following the judging, Crispin praised the quality of this year's entries.

"All 13 entries had excellent hay crops and very little difference from top to bottom," he said.

Competition convener Bill Brown accompanied Crispin as he evaluated entries across Perth and Oxford counties.

Fields were judged on several criteria, including the appearance of the entry point, overall field condition, uniformity of the stand, freedom from weeds, diseases and insect damage, plant colour, stand thickness and yield potential.

Entries could consist of pure alfalfa, pure grass or mixed stands.

Brown said 13 farms participated in this year's competition.

The 2026 winners are:

Rob and Andrew Danen, Danendale Holsteins, Line 29 west of Sebastopol.

Tom Kiestra and family, south of Tavistock on the 13th Line.

Steveleigh Farm, Steve and Karen Witmer and family, east of Hickson.

Nathan and Amy Yantzi and family, east of Sebastopol on Line 29.

Daneholm Farms, Janice, Nick, Mitch and Adrianna Danen, on Line 33 (Pork Street), southwest of Shakespeare.

Brown encourages area farmers who grow hay to consider entering the competition next year.

Anyone interested in participating in the 2027 Standing Hay Competition can contact Brown at 519-462-2211 for more information.