Ricky Stallings of Perquimans County placed first in the state in the annual North Carolina Most Efficient Soybean Yield contest, with a cost of $3.36 per bushel. He will receive an expense-paid trip to the Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla..

The Most Efficient Yield Contest recognizes producers for achieving the lowest cost of production for soybeans on a per bushel basis.

Other area winners in the contest were: (Southern Piedmont) — Frank Howey Family Farms of Union County, $3.81 per bushel, (Southern Coastal Plain) — Henry Dail of Duplin County, $4.03 per bushel, (Northern Coastal Plain) — Harris Farms of Greene County, $4.37 per bushel, and (Northern Piedmont) — Draughn Farms of Surry County, $4.82 per bushel.