Production Blog

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (DTN) -- Sorghum acres are expected to be up this growing season in the United States, and more planted acres mean more opportunities for farmers to participate in the 2025 National Sorghum Yield Contest, which began accepting entries today, May 1.

New this year, farmers have two protocol options for verifying yields in the contest, which has been organized by the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) since 1985. In addition to the traditional on-farm verification option that allows for supervised weigh-backs at harvest, farmers can now elect a market-based option, verifying yields based on grain delivered and ticketed at an approved scale. Detailed rules for measuring, weighing, moisture testing and calculating yield results will be sent to contestants upon receipt of entries.

"By adding flexibility to the contest and adapting to growers' needs, we're opening the door for more participation and innovation," said NSP CEO Tim Lust in the organization's announcement of the contest. "This is also a chance to celebrate the hard work happening in sorghum fields across the country and share success stories that lift the entire industry."

As in previous years, state and national winners will be selected from contestants in East and West regions across the Irrigated, Dryland No-Till and Dryland Tillage categories. In the Food Grade category, one national winner will be selected, regardless of region. The farmer producing the year's highest-yielding entry will earn the Bin Buster Award.

In 2024, K&M Farms, operated by Kenny Rathjen and his farming partner, Monte Simerly, in Dalhart, Texas, took home the Bin Buster Award with an entry in the Irrigated Western category that yielded 240.01 bushels per acre (bpa). The highest yield ever recorded in the contest was 245.86 bpa, set by Ella Johnston of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in 2020 in the Dryland No-Till Eastern category.

Sorghum grain production in 2024 was estimated 344 million bushels, up 8% from the 2023 total, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Grain yield was estimated at 61.3 bpa, up 9.3 bushels from 2023.

Planted area for 2024 was estimated at 6.30 million acres. This year, USDA estimated sorghum acreage at 6.57 million acres, roughly a 4% increase.

According to the national association, the goal of the yield contest is to increase grower yields, transfer knowledge between growers to enhance management and identify sorghum producers who excel in each state and throughout the country.

To enter, contestants must pay or be an existing member of NSP. More than one member of a family may enroll, but each member must have a separate membership. All entries will be reviewed and divisions will be placed based on yield only. National and state winners will be recognized at the 2026 Commodity Classic, Feb. 25-27, in San Antonio.

For complete yield contest rules and to access the online entry form, visit https://sorghumgrowers.com/…

The entry deadline for this year's contest is Nov. 26, 2025. All completed forms must be received at the NSP office no later than Dec. 3, 2025. For more information, contact the association at 806-749-3478 or yieldcontest@sorghumgrowers.com.

Read more about last year's yield contest here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jason Jenkins can be reached at jason.jenkins@dtn.com

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