Employees of MFA Incorporated won all three top prizes in the 2025 PrimeTime Photo Contest, sponsored by Burlingham Seeds, according to an announcement on Apr. 21. The contest awarded cash prizes for photos showcasing PrimeTime seed lawns, fields, sports turf or other areas where the product was used. Participants included distributors, sales teams, employees, landscapers and contractors who had experience with PrimeTime.
The competition recognized Seth Blattel, MFA Agri Services Manager in Chaffee, with first place and a $1,000 prize for his photo of a thickly carpeted lawn. “I started this project late summer with a burndown application of the grass I had out there,” Blattel said. “Then I worked all the ground to a nice seedbed. Sowed the grass in the fall, applied fertilizer and rolled it all in. Spring time, I applied crabgrass preventer and a very good broadleaf residual herbicide. I applied urea early and ammonium sulfate later in the season.” E.J. Rodgers received second place and $500 after planting PrimeTime seed in a former garden plot at home: “My wife and I decided not to plant any row crops in this year’s garden and keep the boxes for various plants,” Rodgers said. “The grass can be transplanted as sod as needed. We’re possibly going to sell property in near future, so the new owners will have the option to re-establish row crops.” Brad Toedebusch earned third place with $250 after using PrimeTime around his family’s new Binzebo structure: “In the fall of 2023…I sowed PrimeTime turf fescue with a little bit of wheat cover…we got an excellent stand…our dog Carpenter approves as well,” Toedebusch said.
PrimeTime is described as including tall fescue varieties that resist brown patch disease while providing dense turf throughout growing seasons.
MFA supports profitable and sustainable farming to strengthen rural communities according to its official website. The organization functions as a farmer-owned cooperative according to its official website serving more than 45,000 farmer-owners according to its official website. It aims to provide economic benefits through cooperative purchasing and sales according to its official website, led by a board of 14 elected farmers who offer governance on behalf of members according to its official website.
Founded in 1914 as an agricultural cooperative serving Missouri and neighboring Midwest states according to its official website, MFA offers agronomy services, livestock nutrition solutions, grain marketing and farm supplies while focusing on sustainable operations.
