The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) is excited to launch its 2023 Soybean Yield Contest. Organized to encourage the development of new innovative management practices that highlight the importance of using sound cultural practices in Wisconsin soybean production systems, the contest showcases growers’ dedication toward improving their operations. 

“The yield contest is a novel way for farmers to do research on their own farms, come up with innovative ways to push soybean yield and then be recognized for increasing yields in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner,” WSA Director Shawn Conley said. 

The contest, which has been held for over a decade, has been revamped to make it more efficient and time-friendly for participants. This year, there will be a statewide award for the highest yield from a contestant that implements a planting green system, along with a $25 entry fee, or a $150 option to enter the contest and purchase a 3-year WSA membership. Additionally, measuring wheel and Global Positioning System (GPS) are now acceptable methods for determining harvest area. 

“We made these changes to simplify the contest and make it easier for farmers and the technical service providers who enter the contest,” said Conley, who is also a professor in the agronomy department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “We also added a new planting green category to recognize those farmers that are looking at planting green into a cover crop and being able to show how we can push our yields even when integrating such a novel system.” 

Any soybean production system can enter the contest and two winners will be selected from each of the four geographical divisions in the state. Additional awards in the contest include the Planting Green Award, New Contestant Award and WI 100 Bushel Soybean Club. Contest fields must be at least five contiguous acres and contestants must be at least 14 years of age on or before Dec. 1, 2023.  

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to highlight your operation’s production practices and celebrate Wisconsin’s soybean industry. Entry forms must be postmarked by Aug. 31, 2023, to be eligible and harvest forms will need to be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2023.  

“Last year, there was one division that no one entered,” Conley said. “So, I encourage farmers to enter in all the divisions to ensure you get an opportunity to win, because if you don’t enter, you can’t win.”   

For more information, contact Shawn Conley at 608.800.7056 or visit the yield contest webpage to download the forms. 

The Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest is managed by the Wisconsin Soybean Association and sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and Wisconsin soybean checkoff dollars.