The late Ivan Duncan of Decatur used an old single-row corn planter fitted with the bottom half of a 55-gallon barrel to hold sprigs to establish his first Bermuda grass planting "too many years ago to remember." Ivan (Sept. 6, 1919, to Aug. 12, 2009) was considered the patriarch of quality Bermuda-hay production in Benton County. As a final tribute, the Quality Forage producers agreed to name their annual event the "Ivan Duncan Invitational Bermuda Hay Contest." One of the first producers to recognize the importance of good management, Ivan's Bermuda advice was often sought by others.

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