Many things fell into place for New Jersey grower Sam Santini in 2020.

“The weather was right this year," he says. "We had a little bit of dry in June, and from then on, we had great rain, good heat, plenty of sun."

Santini came in first place in the National Corn Yield Contest in the Conventional Nonirrigated category with 381.55 bushels per acre, his best yield ever. He planted Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, a 120-day variety.  

“For a contest plot there is no maybe, there is no guessing," he says. "You have to do everything right, from tillage to planting, spraying, everything has to be right."

The contest plot was planted May 5. He worked with Jeff Draper of Vivid Life Sciences to develop a cocktail of “special stuff” to get the plot going with an application of InVigoron Z M2 fertilizer in-furrow, and then a fungicide, Growforce Zn/Mo Plus, at early post planting.

“They give me a lot of good recommendations. They know what I’m doing; they’re always experimenting with me,” Santini says of Draper and Growmark.

The rest of the season, he says, was essentially Mother Nature’s work.

“It was a great year. I didn't think we were going to have the great yield we did," Santini says. "I had people doing yield checks and all, and it wasn't coming up quite that high. But the test weight really changed it. … With the heat, it brought the test weight up, and that brings the bushels."

He’s been doing continuous corn for 40 years in the tilled ground of his contest plot.

“I think there’s something going on in the soil with the fertilizer I’m using," Santini says. "It breaks the stalk down, and I don’t think it’s bothered me one bit."

Experimenting for success

Santini farms 1,600 acres, including 900 acres of corn, 600 acres of soybeans and 100 acres of sorghum. He does tillage and no-till, and will adjust his farming practices based on the soils he plants in. He plants 15 to 20 different corn varieties a year.

He is a third-generation farmer. The operation was a dairy for most of its existence, but in 2010, the cows were sold, and he turned his focus to grain. The corn goes to a local chicken farm, while the soybeans get shipped to Lancaster County, Pa., and the sorghum goes to a bird seed company.

Santini started sorghum eight to 10 years ago as a rotational crop, but he says it grows well in New Jersey.

Over the years, he’s applied things he’s learned in the contest plots to the rest of his acres.

Fungicides, for example, Santini toyed with in his test plots, but now he applies them in his regular plots, too. Same goes for starter fertilizer.

His plant populations also have increased. This year, Santini planted 38,000 in the contest plot, 35,000 in the regular plots.

Six years ago, he had a contest plot with 15-inch corn and thought it gave him his best yields ever. Soon after, he transitioned all his corn to 15-inch rows.

But it wasn’t the game changer he thought it was going to be. Santini said that he struggled to get more than 300 bushels an acre in his plots. So, last year, he switched his contest plot back to 30-inch rows. The results? He got much higher yields, hitting 350 bushels for the first time.

This past year, Santini switched everything back to 30-inch rows.

“Getting more air flowing through the corn, more sunlight down through, it really does help,” he says. “It’s not ready for 15-inch corn yet here. It gives decent yields, but not outstanding.”

Family affair

There were several Santinis who entered this year’s contest, and they did well, too. Sam's nephew, Robert, came in third in the Conventional Nonirrigated category with 365.6 bushels using Pioneer P1197.

Sam’s wife, Chris, also entered the contest, scoring second place in the No-Till Nonirrigated category with 357.45 bushels using Pioneer P1464AML.

A son-in-law, Jeff Barlieb, who farms with Santini, scored first place in the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated category with 358.7 bushels using Pioneer P1197 seed.

Getting other family members involved gives his farm a better chance to win, obviously, but Sam likes to learn from what he does, and that’s the true value of the contest.

“I like playing around in contests. Makes you, I think, a little better farmer,” he says.

State winners

Here is a list of Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Michigan and Ohio winners by state and category:

Connecticut

Conventional Nonirrigated

1. Jim Logue, Woodbury, Channel 210-79STXRIB, 265.4690 bushels

2. Michael Logue, Woodbury, Dekalb DKC59-82RIB, 239.6402 bushels

No-till Nonirrigated

Jeffrey M. Lipton, Somers, Channel 197-90, 218.5171 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

Louis Herman Lipton, Somers, Channel 213-19, 219.0695 bushels

Delaware

Conventional Nonirrigated

Bill Alfree, Middletown, Dekalb DKC64-87RIB, 281.4622 bushels

No-Till Nonirrigated

1. Alan Garey, Felton, Channel 219-77VT2PRIB, 238.8068 bushels

2. G. Dennis Wilson, Smyrna, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 237.4903 bushels

3. Aaron R Thompson, Hartly, Channel 218-44VT2PRIB, 234.4400 bushels

No-Till Irrigated

1. Gary C. Ockels, Milton, Dekalb DKC63-91RIB, 278.8221 bushels

2. Mark Collins, Laurel, Dekalb DKC65-95RIB, 257.2932 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

1. Michael Wicks, Middletown, Pioneer P1847AML, 260.7464 bushels

2. B. Mark Wilson, Smyrna, Pioneer P1442AM, 222.9955 bushels

3. Ben M Wilson Jr., Smyrna, Dekalb DKC65-95RIB, 222.7059 bushels

Massachusetts

Conventional, Nonirrigated

Frederick Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 197-90STXRIB, 230.5556 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

Dan Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 206-11STXRIB, 229.2153 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Matt Parsons, Hadley, Pioneer P0306AM, 231.4086 bushels

2. Susan Kosinski, Westfield, Channel 200-67VT2PRIB, 222.1054 bushels

No-Till Irrigated

Gene Kosinski, Westfield, Channel 198-17VT2PRIB, 308.5152 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

Sarah Henry, Southampton, Channel 199-29STXRIB, 225.1015 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

William Edward Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 209-15STXRIB, 215.0453 bushels

Maryland

Conventional Non-Irrigated

1. Brenda J. Walsh, Hampstead, AgriGold A647-46 STX, 265.0861 bushels

2. Brad D. Rill, Hampstead, Mid-Atlantic Seeds MA8128 VT2P, 259.5376 bushels

No-Till Nonirrigated

1. Drew Haines, Middletown, Dekalb DKC68-69RIB, 324.1849 bushels

2. Harrison Rigdon, Jarrettsville, Dekalb DKC64-35RIB, 320.6821 bushels

3. Chad Rigdon, Jarrettsville, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 286.4171 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. John Alexander Rigdon, Jarrettsville, Dekalb DKC65-95RIB, 324.0153 bushels

2. Chris Weaver, Finksburg, AgriGold A6499 STXRIB, 266.8401 bushels

3. Thomas W. Walsh, Hampstead, AgriGold A647-46 STX, 264.0395 bushels

No-Till Irrigated

1. Grant Smith, Keyser, Pioneer P1197AM, 296.5946 bushels

2. Bruce Bartz, Denton, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 278.1959 bushels

3. Dan K. Dulin, Queen Anne, Pioneer P1197A, 232.9054 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

1. Brian Tull, Seaford, Dekalb DKC63-91RIB, 277.7971 bushels

2. Christopher Davis, Galena, Pioneer P1506AM, 274.4015 bushels

3. Allen Davis, Galena, Pioneer P1213AM, 262.4674 bushels

Conventional Irrigated

1. Duncan Smith, Keyser, Pioneer P1197AM, 288.6009 bushels

2. Catherine G. Bostic, Church Hill, AgriGold A641-06 VT2RIB, 272.8811 bushels

3. Michael R. Bostic Sr., Church Hill, Pioneer P1847AML, 264.0474 bushels

Maine

Conventional Nonirrigated

Ryan James Crane, Exeter, Channel 185-30V2PRIB, 224.9383 bushels

No-Till Nonirrigated

Tyler G Bartlett, New Gloucester, Channel 192-08VT2PRIB, 199.6522 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till NonIrrigated

Alexander Hilton, Norridgewock, Channel 185-30V2PRIB, 210.8179 bushels

Michigan

Conventional Nonirrigated

1. Dick Suwyn, Caledonia, Golden Harvest G07F23-3211, 287.2089 bushels

2. Scott Bartz, Dorr, Golden Harvest G07F23-3111, 281.4852 bushels

3. Dale Suwyn, Wayland, Golden Harvest G10D21-3330 E-Z, 279.8246 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

1. Jay Ferguson, Yale, Pioneer P0075AM, 269.3473 bushels

2. Rudy Schutte, Alto, Pioneer P0806AM, 264.9863 bushels

3. Matt Scharl, Lawrence, Dekalb DKC54-64RIB, 260.3566 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Nick Suwyn, Wayland, Golden Harvest G09Y24-3220A EZ, 286.2796 bushels

2. Jim Schaendorf, Dorr, Dekalb DKC58-35RIB, 283.4495 bushels

3. Warner Lind, Wayland, Golden Harvest G07F23-3111, 280.6082 bushels

No-Till, Irrigated

1.Ryan Drozd, Allegan, Pioneer P0806AM, 271.7443 bushels

2. Doug Myers, Marshall, Pioneer P0843AM, 270.3316 bushels

3. Ron King, White Pigeon, Golden Harvest, G07F23-3111, 261.9895 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

1.T. Jon Drozd, Allegan, Pioneer P1197AM, 307.5574 bushels

2. Marshall Landis, Schoolcraft, Dekalb DKC61-40RIB, 289.5291 bushels

3. J. P. Clover, Ionia, Dekalb DKC54-64RIB, 284.9052 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

1. Don Stall, Charlotte, Pioneer P0720AM, 476.9052 bushels

2. Tyler Schaendorf, Dorr, Dekalb DKC59-82RIB, 304.5414 bushels

3. Bryan E. Hammis, Howard City, Pioneer P0306AM, 295.5036 bushels

New Hampshire

Conventional, Nonirrigated

Jack Letourneau, Northfield, Channel 199-29STXRIB, 234.0910 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

William Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 206-11STXRIB, 176.8616 bushels

New Jersey

Conventional, Nonirrigated

1. Sam Santini, Stewartsville, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 381.5595 bushels

2. Robert A. Santini Jr., Phillipsburg, Pioneer P1197, 365.6086 bushels

3. Kelly Truszkowski, Stewartsville, Dyna-Gro D58VC65, 308.1079 bushels

No-Till Nonirrigated

1. Chris Santini, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1464AML, 357.4564 bushels

2. Thomas R. Meyer, Pittstown, Dekalb DKC64-87RIB, 274.2008 bushels.

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Jeffrey K Barlieb, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1197AMT, 358.7429 bushels

2. Leonard Truszkowski, Stewartsville, Dyna-Gro D55VC80RIB, 329.7905 bushels

3. Scott Clucas, Califon, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 301.4784 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

1. Carly Santini, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1213AM, 303.8641 bushels

2. Michelle Lynn Doyle, Newfield, Dekalb DKC70-27, 256.8676 bushels

3. Tim Doyle, Clayton, Hefty Seed H6524 252.3045 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

Eric Matthew Eachus, Mullica Hill, Dyna-Gro D58VC65, 276.4755 bushels

New York

Conventional, Nonirrigated

1. Henry G. Everman, Dansville, FS InVISION FS 6202V, 299.8039 bushels

2. Tyler Curtin, Cassville, LG Seeds LG5465VT2RIB, 289.0819 bushels

3. Ryan Swede, Pavilion, Dekalb DKC59-82RIB, 277.8311 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

1. Craig Phelps, Groverland, Hubner Seeds H6134RCSS, 239.1686 bushels

2. John Macauley, Mount Morris, LG Seeds LG5525VT2RIB, 238.3885 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Andrew McIlroy, Pavilion, Dekalb DKC55-54RIB, 273.8394 bushels

2. Joe McIlroy, Piffard, Dekalb DKC52-85RIB, 272.4134 bushels

3. Mike Ellers, Schodack Landing, Chemgro 7305RDP, 250.1720 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

1. Thomas W. Jeffres, Wyoming, Pioneer P0843AM, 286.6724 bushels

2. Robert Pawlowski, Verona, Channel 201-67STXRIB, 231.2110 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

1. Adam Kirby, Albion, Pioneer P1197AM, 271.8228 bushels

2. Paul Campbell, Nichols, Dekalb DKC52-84RIB, 229.6449 bushels

Ohio

Conventional, Nonirrigated

1. Cory Atley, Cedarville, Dekalb DKC63-91RIB, 320.2415 bushels

2. Carl Atley, Xenia, Dekalb DKC66-18RIB, 305.5379 bushels

3. Jon Everett, Conover, Dekalb DKC64-87RIB, 284.7744 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

1.Doug Swaim, Cedarville, NK Brand NK1082A, 286.6184 bushels

2. Steve Neill, Waterford, Dekalb DKC59-82RIB, 283.9792 bushels

3. Rob Schmidt, Arcanum, Pioneer P1197YHR, 283.1070 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Don Jackson, Camden, Dekalb DKC66-17RIB, 319.4033 bushels

2 Jeff Martin Greenville Specialty Hybrids 42A843, 307.2394 bushels  

3. Michael Vallery, London, Channel 216- 36DGVT2PRIB, 292.0712 bushels

No-Till, Irrigated

1. Scott Haerr, Springfield, Pioneer P0720AM, 294.3297 bushels

2. Catherine Kelbley, Fostoria, AgriGold A6499 STXRIB, 274.1839 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

Justin Haerr, Springfield, Pioneer P1077AM, 305.9341 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

1. Curt Potter, Sherwood, Pioneer P1197AM, 280.1659 bushels

2. Nathan Ewing, Waverly, Pioneer P1359AM, 279.4864 bushels

3. Greg Waters, West Lafayette, DEKALB DKC63-90RIB, 276.4853 bushels

Pennsylvania

Conventional Nonirrigated

1. Brad Kiefer, Bangor, Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 298.0828 bushels

2. Robert Kiefer, Bangor, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 289.5858 bushels

3. Glen R. Krall, Lebanon, Pioneer P1415Q, 276.6569 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

1. Matthew William Beam, Elverson, Dekalb DKC59-82RIB, 296.1146 bushels

2. David Wolfskill, Wernersville, Dekalb DKC64-34, 282.1263 bushels  

3. Kristen L. Grumbine, Lebanon, Pioneer P1847AML, 276.9445 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

1. Daryl L. Alger, Lebanon, Dekalb DKC64-35RIB, 297.2382 bushels

2. Kyle L. Henninger, Breinigsville, Dekalb DKC61-40RIB, 277.3418 bushels

3. Scott W. Snyder, Montoursville, Pioneer P0720AM, 236.6526 bushels

No-Till, Irrigated

1. Karl Dirks, Mount Joy, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 294.0827 bushels

2. Ernest W. Mast, Morgantown, Pioneer P1197AM, 273.2591 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

Eric Charles, Lancaster, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 288.6110 bushels

Conventional, Irrigated

1. Clifford Charles, Lancaster, Pioneer P1077AM, 289.1484 bushels

2. Doug Scipioni, Newmanstown, Pioneer P1442AM, 282.9564 bushels

3. Eric Nelson Meyers, Mercersburg, Pioneer P1847AML, 265.8565 bushels

Vermont

Conventional, Nonirrigated

1. Theodore Grembowicz, North Clarendon, Dekalb DKC45-66RIB, 210.4412 bushels

2. Jason Bourdeau, Sheldon, Pioneer P0075Q, 200.0314 bushels

3. Rene Bourdeau, Swanton, Pioneer P7005AM, 181.5553 bushels

No-Till, Nonirrigated

1. Jacob Bourdeau, Sheldon, Pioneer P0075Q, 198.0144 bushels

2. Brian Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 203-01STXRIB, 138.3498 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Nonirrigated

Jeffrey T Grembowicz, West Rutland, Dekalb DKC45-66RIB, 212.9069 bushels

Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated

Caroline Pinto, West Rutland, Dekalb DKC45-66RIB, 215.4440 bushels