Plant breeders are working hard to increase yield in key commodities. The improved genetics are being leveraged in farmer fields to produce impressive yield. This is especially clear in the results, released Dec. 13, of the National Corn Growers Association’s 2023 National Corn Yield Contest.
The National Corn Yield Contest, now in its 59th year, in 2023 received almost 7,000 entries from farmers growing corn in 46 states. Entrants applied across 10 production categories.
The pilot category for nitrogen management, Class J, had verified yields averaging 269 bushels per acre, up 55% over the projected national average of 173 bushels per acre.
The contest also set a new national record yield of a whopping 623.8439 bushels per acre, grown by Charles City, VA, David Hula. This topples by more than 7.5 bushels per acre the previous record of 616.1953 bushels per acre.
“Year after year, the National Corn Yield Contest remains the most popular program for NCGA members,” said Harold Wolle, president of the National Corn Growers Association in a release. “It is an opportunity for farmers across the country to put their skills to the test and show the true craftmanship it takes to grow a successful corn crop, and the agronomic data generated by the contest each year helps provide valuable information for future success.”
The contest awards 27 national, 526 state and 3 Class J winners. A complete list of winners is available at ncga.com/ncyc. The winners will all be honored by NCGA at its Commodity Classic in Houston, TX, February 28 – March 2, 2024.
