Production Blog

Farmers growing spring wheat still have time to enter the National Wheat Yield Contest. Entries are due Aug. 1, 2023.

The wheat yield contest encourages contestants to strive for high yield, quality and profit. It's a great way to benchmark practices while trying new and innovative management strategies, said Anne Osborne, director of the contest, which is sponsored by the National Wheat Foundation (NWF). DTN/Progressive Farmer is the official media outlet of the National Wheat Yield contest, which is in its 8th year.

Awards are given based on the highest yielding entry from each state for each category (winter, spring, irrigated, dryland). A separate category levels the playing field for growers producing wheat in low yielding regions by looking at the percentage increase by which their measured yield exceeds the most recent five-year Olympic county average (USDA figure). More recently, a quality component has been added to the contest.

Each contestant must save an 8 lb. sample of their wheat and the 24 national winners will send their samples in for analysis of baking and milling characteristics. Additionally, there is a test weight requirement for eligibility to win the national contest. Depending on class, wheat must exceed 57 or 58 lb. test weight to compete.

"Growers who are shooting for high yields, select a good variety and provide the crop with proper management for their yield level usually end up with high quality wheat. Our quality testing over the past couple of years has proven this," Osborne said.

National winners will receive a trip to the 2024 Commodity Classic, which will be in Houston, Texas. They are invited to the winners' reception along with their families, seed suppliers and agronomists. Quality winners will be recognized per class and can earn an extra cash award. Each entry costs $100. There are many partners that provide entry vouchers to cover that cost.

The NWYC this year is partnered with these contributors: WestBred, John Deere, U.S. Wheat Associates, BASF, The McGregor Companies, Croplan, Eastman, AgriMaxx, Ardent Mills, DynaGro, Limagrain Cereal Seeds, PlainsGold, UPL, Ohio Corn & Wheat, Mennel Milling, FarmLogs powered by Bushel, GrainSense, Miller Milling, North Carolina Small Grain Growers, Grain Craft, Grow Pro Genetics, Michigan Wheat, Kansas Wheat, Northern Crops Institute and the North Dakota Mill and Elevator are all helping with the contest.

To learn more about the contest and how to enter to www.yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org.

DTN Crops Editor Jason Jenkins will get a first-hand look at the spring wheat and durum crop condition as part of the Wheat Quality Council's annual tour in North Dakota and western Minnesota on July 25 to 27, 2023. Read more about the tour: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

Follow her on Twitter @PamSmithDTN

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