ST. LOUIS — Corn growers shattered yield records in a year beset with weather problems, using innovative production techniques and improved seed varieties to achieve top numbers in the National Corn Growers Association 2008 National Corn Yield Contest.
Not only was the number of entries (6,725) higher than ever before, and double the number in 2006, but several entrants scored yields of more than double the estimated national average.
Yield
Yield is the number of bushels of corn (56 pounds) grown per acre, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimated national average for field corn is 153.8 bushels per acre.
The 24 national winners in eight production categories had verified yields averaging more than 310 bushels per acre.
In this year’s contest, 19 entrants harvested yields of 300 bushels or more per acre.
While there is no overall winner in the contest due to the variety of growing climates and methods, the national winners with the first, second and third highest yields in each of the eight production categories ranged from 368.2742 to 284.5849 bushels per acre.
Honored
The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2009 Commodity Classic. Contest winners will also be featured in a special edition of Farm Journal magazine.
For the full list of state-level winners visit www.ncga.com.
National winners
Note: Class AA categories include the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Class A categories include all other states.
Legend:
Winner name
Winner home city, state
Hybrid brand and number
Yield
A NON-IRRIGATED
Henry G. Everman
Dansville, N.Y.
DEKALB, DKC61-69
294.8977
Seven Springs Farms
Cadiz, Ky.
Pioneer, 31D61
290.3042
Todd Nichols
Cadiz, Ky.
Pioneer, 31D61
287.5686
AA NON-IRRIGATED
Mark Dempsey
Fowler, Ill.
Garst, 8488IT
348.3748
Joe Linneweber
Vincennes, Ind.
Pioneer, 33N58
298.5498
Robert Little
Hebron, Ind.
Pioneer, 33N12
292.5281
A NO TILL/STRIP TILL NON-IRRIGATED
David Wolfskill
Wernersville, Pa.
DEKALB, DKC61-69
296.878
Mike Scholting
Louisville, Neb.
Pioneer, 32T84
288.6893
Lippy Bros. Inc.
Hampstead, Md.
Pioneer, 33N58
284.5849
AA NO TILL/STRIP TILL NON-IRRIGATED
K-K Farms #2
Purdy, Mo.
Pioneer, 35F40
320.8716
Kathy Little
Hebron, Ind.
Pioneer, 33W84
295.3463
Wes Burkhart
Oto, Iowa
DEKALB, DKC63-42
291.138
NO TILL/STRIP TILL IRRIGATED
David K. Hula
Charles City, Va.
Pioneer, 31D61
361.9252
K-K Farms #8
Purdy, Mo.
Pioneer, 32B29
329.7074
Ockels Acres
Milton, Del.
DEKALB, DKC61-69
316.31
RIDGE TILL NON-IRRIGATED
Michael Kosinski
Westfield, Mass.
DEKALB, DKC52-59
294.2662
Hardy Bros.
Roanoke, Ind.
DEKALB, DKC63-42
291.3313
Tanner Farms
Union City, Tenn.
Pioneer, 31P42
287.6928
RIDGE TILL IRRIGATED
Steven Albracht
Hart, Texas
Pioneer, 31N30
346.5204
K-K Farms #9
Purdy, Mo.
Pioneer, 32B11
330.5879
Michael R. Bostic
Church Hill, Md.
Pioneer, 34P94
299.5539
IRRIGATED
Double “SA” Farms, Inc.
Hart, Texas
Pioneer, 31N30
368.2742
Fern Wright
Walsh, Colo.
Pioneer, 31N30
327.5094
Chris Unruh
Grandview, Idaho
Pioneer, 34A14
317.2883
