Without a healthy dose of competition, agriculture wouldn’t have progressed to where the industry is today.

The Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest encourages the continued development of innovative management practices, showcasing growers and their dedication to 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,” said Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) Director Shawn Conley.

As the 2023 growing season commences, Daniel Ballmer, winner of 2022’s new contestant award, reflected on his entry.

“My agronomist thought it would be a good idea to enter,” Ballmer said. “We’ll see how things shake out this July before I decide if I’m going to enter again. Hopefully we have timely rains so that the crop looks good.”

The 2023 contest has been revamped to be more efficient and time-friendly for entrants. New this year is 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.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to highlight your operation’s production practices and celebrate Wisconsin’s soybean industry.

“Why not enter just to see how you can stack up against everybody else?” Ballmer said. “My words of wisdom to those entering is to keep a good fertility program.”

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.

“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,” Conley said.

Entry forms must be postmarked by Aug. 31, 2023, to be eligible and harvest forms must be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2023.

For more information, contact Shawn Conley at 608-800-7056 or visit www.coolbeaninfo.org or www.wisoybean.org.