Wisconsin soybean harvest is right around the corner but before farmers get in their combines, the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) is reminding growers to enter the 2025 Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest before the Aug. 31, 2025, deadline. 

“You can’t win if you don’t enter,” said WSA Director Shawn Conley, a professor in the agronomy department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “It’s an opportunity to have fun, learn and grow.” 

Organized to encourage the development of innovative management practices, the contest highlights the importance of using sound cultural practices in Wisconsin soybean production systems and features growers’ dedication toward improving their operations. 

Any soybean production system can enter the contest. Two winners will be selected from each of the four geographical divisions in the state. Divisions are based on long-term county soybean yield averages. Additional awards in the contest include the Planting Green Award, New Contestant Award and WI 100 Bushel Soybean Club. To enter the contest, entry forms must be completed and returned on or before Aug. 31, 2025. The winners will be recognized at the 2026 Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo at the Kalahari Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.  

“Any farmer should enter the contest; there are opportunities for those that have been in it for a long time and have continued tweaking their production practices. We also have a category for someone that’s new to the contest and for farmers that are really focusing on conservation practices,” Conley said. “There’s plenty of room in the tent for everyone to join and participate because it’s great to learn from your fellow farmers and be recognized for what you’re doing on your farm.” 

Supported by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and Wisconsin soybean checkoff dollars, the yield contest is marking 15 years of commemorating Wisconsin soybean management practices this year. 

“Wisconsin’s soybean growers are diligent stewards of the land and savvy businesspeople,” said WSA Executive Director Adam Kask. “WSA’s 2025 Soybean Yield Contest spotlights how these two attributes come together on farms across the state to produce superior quality soybean crops.” 

WSA wants to know – does your operation have that big bean energy? Prove it by entering the 2025 Soybean Yield Contest. Visit wisoybean.org for more information and to download the rules and entry form. Interested producers can also visit coolbean.info to download contest forms.