EPHRATA - Hay growers around the Basin can start preparing their best bales of hay for the Grant County Fair's upcoming Hay King contest.

The annual competition draws hay growers from both big and small operations, Christy Price, county director for Washington State University's Grant-Adams Extension office, said.

"Entries come from anybody and everybody throughout the Basin," she said.

The contest is sponsored by the Mid Columbia Basin Hay Growers Association.

The title of Hay King, or Queen, is awarded to the entry with the highest score among the dairy, export and feed store classes of alfalfa.

Big bale entries are accepted in all but the feed store class.

The bales are evaluated using both visual and laboratory quality tests, Price said.

"They take a core sample and do a lab analysis to find out the nutritional content and things like that," she said.

The visual evaluation is done to make sure the bales are nicely wrapped and free of mold, among other criteria, Price said.

"Usually the entry that comes out on top in both is the winner," she said.

Contestants can deliver their hay entries to Ag Building No. 15 between 1 and 5 p.m. on Aug. 10. Contestants should enter through the purple gate on the west side of the fairgrounds. The winner of the Hay King contest will be announced sometime during fair week.

"After entries come in, it takes some time for the analysis part," she said. "We'll know the winner before the end of fair." The Hay King or Queen receive a metal sign they can attach to their fence or hay barn.

"It's their claim to fame, and in some respects a designation of the quality of their product," Price said. That ties back to the contest's purpose of highlighting the quality of the area's hay industry, she said.

The winner will also be recognized at the annual state Hay Growers Association Conference, according to the press release.

Contest details can be found in the 2013 Grant County Fair Exhibitor Guide. Copies of the guide are available at the fairgrounds office and at the WSU Grant-Adams Area Extension Office inside the county courthouse in Ephrata.