Production Blog

Wheat is starting the 2022 season with some serious handicaps, but the resilient crop is never to be underestimated. The National Wheat Yield Contest's winners in past years are proof of that, and now is the time for wheat farmers to bet on their wheat fields once again.

Farmers interested in entering the contest for 2022 should note that the discount for early entries for winter wheat ends April 15 and June 15 for spring wheat. Final winter wheat entries for the contest are due May 16, followed by spring wheat entries due Aug. 1. Farmers must be members of their state wheat association to enter the national contest.

This year's contest features a few new rule tweaks. As with prior years, the contest requires keeping a six-pound sample of each plot harvested. This year, entrants are asked to keep the sample at home instead of sending the physical sample with the entry. Contestants must have their sample graded at a local elevator and upload proof that the sample is either Grade 1 or Grade 2 as part of their harvest record. If the submitted harvest report qualifies the producer as one of the winners, the entrant will then be required to send in the sample for official testing.

The 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest also features a new quality component. Each of the yield winners' samples will be tested for milling and baking qualities. If the samples meet all the markers for industry-desired quality, the farmer will receive an additional $500 cash award.

The contest makes awards on two levels:

-- Yield. The highest yielding entry is selected from each state for each category. National winners will be selected based on the highest yield from the state winners.

-- Above-average yield. Farmers whose fields yield the highest percentage above their county's five-year olympic average are selected and ranked, in an effort to level the playing field for producers in low yielding regions.

Each grower can only win one national award. The prize for the 24 winners is a trip to Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida in March 2023 and recognition at a winner's reception.

The 2022 National Yield Contest is sponsored by WestBred, U.S. Wheat Associates, BASF, John Deere, Ardent Mills, AgriMaxx, Elevate Ag, GrainSense, Grain Craft, Mennel Milling, Ohio Corn & Wheat, Croplan, GrowPro Genetics, North Dakota Mill and Elevator, Northern Crops Institute, Miller Milling, DynaGro, Limagrain, and CoAxium. DTN/Progressive Farmer is the official media outlet for the contest.

Learn more about the 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest or submit your entry at https://yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org/….

DTN Staff Reporter Emily Unglesbee contributed to this report.

Pamela Smith can be reached at pamela.smith@dtn.com

Follow her on Twitter @PamSmithDTN

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