David Hula, Charles City, Virginia, produced 602.1694 bushels per acre to top the 2021 National Corn Growers Association’s National Corn Yield Contest.  

Andy Cover’s 338 bushels was the highest yield in the Southwest Farm Press coverage area—Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Cover farms near Dalhart, Texas.

“This contest offers farmers a chance to come together both for good-natured competition and to help innovate the future of our industry,” said Lowell Neitzel, chair of NCGA’s Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team.

(Photo by Shelley E. Huguley)

“These contestants grow to be leaders in other ways as well. For many, the contest may be their first interaction with NCGA. As they learn more, the value of the work we do to build a better tomorrow inspires greater achievement. Whether getting involved in advocacy, leadership or sustainability efforts, the contest breeds champions for corn farmers in many areas.”

Southwest yields

Cover’s yield came from a no-till, irrigated field planted in Pioneer’s P1108Q.

Tommy and Valerie Cartrite, Sunray, Texas, made 331.9 bushels in the Conventional Irrigated category, with P2042AML.

Todd Reinart’s 318.5-bushel yield took top honors in Texas in the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated category. Reinart planted P1828AM.

Tops in Conventional, Non-Irrigated yield went to Justin Hansen, Lorena, Texas, with 237.9 bushels from a Dyna-Grow hybrid, D58SS65.

Hansen’s 233.2-bushel yield was also tops in Texas in the No-Till, Non-Irrigated category, with D57VC51.

Brian Fink, Cost, Texas, planted P1847VYHR to top the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Non-Irrigated category with 197.47 bushels.

Oklahoma yields

In Oklahoma, top yield was Richard Rathjen’s 316.4 bushels in the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Irrigated category. Rathjen, Clayton, Okla., planted P1359AM in the winning plot.

Austin Sage, Texline, Okla., made 311.5 bushels with P1108Q to top the state’s Conventional Irrigated category.

Abel DeBoer, Felt, Okla., made 291.4 bushels with P1108Q in a No-Till Irrigated plot.

Lauren Foutch, Okmulgee, Okla., planted Dekalb’s DKC69-99RIB to top the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Non-Irrigated category with 269.69 bushels.

Zachary Rendel, Miami, Okla., produced 213.4 bushels with AgriGold’s A6572 VT2RIB to top the Conventional, Non-Irrigated category.

New Mexico

Jared Gordon, Dalhart, produced 276.7 bushels with P1108Q to top the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Irrigated entries for New Mexico.

Angilene Jim, Farmington, NM, produced 263.8 bushels with Channel’s 203-01STXRIB hybrid in the Conventional Irrigated category.

The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 57th year, according to a NCGA press release.

The 27 national winners in 9 production categories had verified yields averaging more than 376.7593 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 177 bushels per acre. Yields from first, second and third place farmers' overall production categories averaged 285.5971 bushels per acre.

For more than half a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers with the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. Participants also have the opportunity to learn from their peers.

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. Winners will be honored in March of 2022 during Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Please visit the National Corn Growers Association NCYC for the complete list of 2021 National and State winners, including the list of all 2021 NCYC entrants.