Maryland farmer Drew Haines has outdone himself again with another record-breaking performance in the National Corn Yield Contest.
His contest plot yielded 422.35 bushels, enough for first place in the No-till, Nonirrigated category and third-highest yield overall.
For Haines, who farms in Middletown, Md., the foundation for another record-breaking growing season was laid in the spring.
“We had a great window to plant and with optimal soil moisture at planting no rain for five days after. Our Dekalb 68-69RIB corn was up and running,” he says.
2018 was a wet year in the Northeast. As a result, he spread out his nitrogen and potassium applications, running a “vigorous foliar program by helicopter.”
“We ran a full cocktail over the corn five times, keeping it hitting on all cylinders as you would pulling a tractor. Having the corn happy is a must, and never wanting for anything,” he says. “Other things that help add test weights and kernel fill like my home-brew dillweed juice and super energy source nectar help keep the plant healthy longer.”
The dillweed juice is a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; boron and zine; humic and fulvic acids; and other things Haines likes to keep a secret. He applies 3 gallons an acre.
But “spoon-feeding” the corn doesn’t matter if the soil isn’t in good shape.
“As the years of being in the contest move on, I have implemented more and more of the same practices on all our corn acres and found that they responded with yield increases also,” he says. “The first step, though, is building that soil foundation. The soil is what makes it all grow and, of course, Mother Nature.”
Dominick Santini of Phillipsburg, N.J., won the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated category with 339.09 bushels, planting Pioneer P1197.
Other high placings for regional growers:
No-till, Nonirrigated
Second place, Chris Santini, Stewartsville, N.J., Pioneer P1464AML, 344.51 bushels
Third place, Darren Charles, Lancaster Pa., Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 335.93 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Second place, Scott Clucas, Califon, N.J., Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 335.03 bushels
Third place, Daryl L. Alger, Lebanon, Pa., Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 319.84 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Third place, Carly Santini, Stewartsville, N.J., Pioneer P1197AMT, 345.28 bushels
Shattered records
David Hula of Charles City, Va., achieved the highest yield on record with 616.19 bushels per acre.
The 27 winners in nine production categories had verified yields averaging more than 383 bushels per acre, according to the National Corn Growers Association. That’s more than double the national average of 167 bushels per acre in 2019.
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR: Drew Haines likes to spoon-feed his crops, but the foundation of his record yields started with building the soil, and a good planting season.
Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. The winners will be honored during Commodity Classic 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.
State winners across Mid-Atlantic, Northeast
Here is a list of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast winners by state and category. Please note that some names are not listed with a placing. This is because contestants are only allowed to win one class even though they might have high yields across multiple classes.
Connecticut
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Jim Logue, Woodbury, Channel 209-51VT2PRIB, 277.58 bushels
Michael Logue, Woodbury, Dyna-Gro D52VC63RIB, 275.7918 bushels
Michael Logue, Woodbury, Dekalb DKC55-20RIB, 245.9905 bushelsHarris Cohen, Ellington, Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 243.5136 bushels
Delaware
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Bill Alfree, Middletown, Dekalb DKC64-87RIB, 287.79 bushels
Jonathan Snow, Smyrna, Pioneer P1380AM, 239.80 bushels
Jonathan Snow, Smyrna, Pioneer P1077AM, 239.71 bushelsRussell Hudson, Frankford, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 226.37 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Aaron R. Thompson, Hartly, Channel 215-60TRERIB, 259.58 bushels
Whitney Snow, Smyrna, Pioneer P1464AM, 254.74 bushels
Sherry Hudson, Frankford, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 225.32 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Gary C Ockels, Milton, Dekalb DKC64-35RIB, 320.10 bushels
Gary C Ockels, Milton, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 318.83 bushelsMark Collins, Laurel, Channel 213-19VT2PRIB, 314.89 bushels
Mark Collins, Laurel, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 308.73 bushels.B. Mark Wilson, Smyrna, Dekalb DKC65-20RIB, 299.99 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till Irrigated
C. Melvin Wyatt Jr., Harrington, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 296.28 bushels
Conventional Irrigated
Brian Tull, Seaford, Dekalb DKC65-95RIB, 312.93 bushels
Zachary Collins, Laurel, Axis 62A58, 305.07 bushels
Clarence Gregory Dempsey Jr., Dover, Hubner H4890RC2P, 298.72 bushels
Maine
Conventional, Nonirrigated
James Hilton, Norridgewock, Mycogen Seeds MY84S86, 150.26 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Alexander Hilton, Norridgewock, Channel 187-49VT2PRIB, 186.71 bushels
Massachusetts
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Brian Llewelyn, Northfield, Pioneer P9840AM, 321 bushels.
No-till, Nonirrigated
Wanda Llewelyn, Northfield, Pioneer P9840AM, 324.37 bushels.
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Jack Letourneau, Northfield, Pioneer P9998AM, 302.15 bushels
No-till Irrigated
Sarah Henry, Southampton, Channel 197-90VT2PRIB, 270.64 bushels
Conventional, Irrigated
William Edward Llewelyn, Northfield, Pioneer P9998AM, 307.83 bushels
Maryland
Conventional Nonirrigated
Brenda J. Walsh, Hampstead, AgriGold A641-06 VT2RIB, 307.97 bushels
Michael R. Harrison, Woodbine, Dekalb DKC64-35RIB, 287.68 bushels
Gregory Monroe Dell, Westminster, Channel 213-19VT2PRIB, 271.68 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Drew Haines, Middletown, Dekalb DKC68-69RIB, 422.35 bushels
Brad D. Rill, Hampstead, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 311.08 bushels
Brad D. Rill, Hampstead, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 309.05 bushels
Brad D. Rill, Hampstead, LG Seeds LG5618VT2RIB, 299.53 bushelsWilliam F Willard, Poolesville, Dekalb DKC64-35RIB, 295.80 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
David Hill, Kennedyville, Pioneer P0574AM, 231.93 bushels
Edward Appenzeller Jr., Millington, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 216.29 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Marion Wilson, Centreville, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 288.82 bushels
David and Ronnie Andrews, Hurlock, Pioneer P1197AM, 266.90 bushels
William H. Layton, Vienna, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 258.94 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Irrigated
Bruce Bartz, Denton, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 318.69 bushels
Gary L. King, Princess Anne, Pioneer P1197AM, 286.76 bushels
Catherine G. Bostic, Church Hill, AgriGold A6544 STXRIB, 278.79 bushels
Conventional Irrigated
Jason Larry Sheubrooks, Sudlersville, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 296.19 bushels
David Denny, Queen Anne, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 285.91 bushels
Michael R. Bostic Sr., Church Hill, Pioneer P1464AML, 285.69 bushels
New Hampshire
Conventional Non-Irrigated
William Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 195-18VT2PRIB, 230.47 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Mary E. Llewelyn, Northfield, Pioneer P9998AM, 253.70 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Dan Llewelyn, Northfield, Pioneer P9998AM, 259.83 bushels
Conventional, Irrigated
Frederick Llewelyn, Northfield, Channel 203-44STXRIB, 233.03 bushels
New Jersey
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Sam Santini, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1464AML, 346.78 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Chris Santini, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1464AML, 344.51 bushels
Robert A. Santini, Phillipsburg, Pioneer P1197, 311.43 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Dominick Santini, Phillipsburg, Pioneer P1197, 339.09 bushels
Scott Clucas, Califon, Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 335.02 bushels
Leonard S. Truszkowski, Stewartsville, Dyna-Gro D52VC63RIB, 315.34 bushels
No-till Irrigated
Carly Santini, Stewartsville, Pioneer P1197AMT, 345.28 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Irrigated
Tim Doyle, Clayton, Pioneer P1197AM, 299.93 bushels
Eric Matthew Eachus, Mullica Hill, Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 287.79 bushels
Conventional Irrigated
Matt Santini, Phillipsburg, Pioneer P1197, 309.50 bushels
Alan A. Danser, Cranbury, Pioneer P1602AM, 295.74 bushels
New York
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Jeremy J. Silsby, Gasport, Dekalb DKC53-56RIB, 254.64 bushels
Henry G. Everman, Dansville, Dekalb DKC64-34RIB, 251.98 bushels
Jason Swede, Pavilion, Dekalb DKC57-75RIB, 243.03 bushelsPanayiotis Ioannou, Middleburgh, Dyna-Gro D35SS58RIB, 230.76 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
John Macauley, Mount Morris LG Seeds LG5470VT2RIB, 229.31 bushels
John Macauley, Mount Morris, LG Seeds LG5499VT2RIB, 216.85 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Adam Kirby, Albion, Pioneer P0843AM, 277 bushels
Jason Swede, Pavilion, Dekalb DKC52-84RIB, 259.83 bushels
Gary Swede, Pavilion, Dekalb DKC57-75RIB, 255.37 bushels
Conventional Irrigated
Paul Campbell, Nichols, Dekalb DKC52-84RIB, 258.54 bushels
Paul Campbell, Nichols, Dekalb DKC52-85RIB, 254.62 bushels
Pennsylvania
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Jess A. Powell, Greenville, Pioneer P0574AMXT, 266.88 bushels
Gavin Mast, Morgantown, Pioneer P1422AM, 263.80 bushels
Howard A. Deshong, Elizabethtown, Pioneer P0843AM, 263.19 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Darren Charles, Lancaster, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 335.93 bushels
Clifford Charles, Lancaster, Pioneer P1197AM, 335.01 bushels
Nelson Beam, Elverson, Pioneer P0843AM, 310.88 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Daryl L. Alger, Lebanon, Dekalb DKC62-53RIB, 319.84 bushels
Dave Kenneth Kratz, Hamburg, Channel 213-19VT2PRIB, 302.25 bushels
Glen R. Krall, Lebanon, Pioneer P1415Q, 293.18 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Eric Charles, Lancaster, Pioneer P1415Q, 318.99 bushels
Karl Dirks, Mount Joy, Dekalb DKC60-88RIB, 304.76 bushels
Eric Charles, Lancaster Seed Consultants SCS1087YHR, 303.56 bushelsPaul D. Mast, Morgantown, Pioneer P1443AM, 287.74 bushels
Rhonda Mast, Morgantown, Pioneer P1283AM, 285.25 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Irrigated
Eric Charles, Lancaster, Dekalb DKC62-52RIB, 323.19 bushels
Conventional Irrigated
Jeremy Sands, Shippensburg, AgriGold A647-46 STX, 317.28 bushels
Eric Nelson Meyers, Mercersburg, Pioneer P1197AM, 290.86 bushels
Christopher Mast, Morgantown, Pioneer P1197AMXT, 245.36 bushels
Vermont
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Theodore Grembowicz, North Clarendon, Dekalb DKC34-82RIB, 155.95 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Jeffrey T. Grembowicz, West Rutland, Dekalb DKC34-82RIB, 160.53 bushels
West Virginia
Conventional, Nonirrigated
Chris Miltenberger, Keyser, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 309.82 bushels
Grant Smith, Keyser, Pioneer P0843AM, 251.36 bushels
No-till, Nonirrigated
Justice Family Farms, Daniels, Dekalb DKC65-20, 273.29 bushels
Paul R. Miltenberger, Keyser, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 270.28 bushels
Grant Smith, Keyser, Pioneer P1197AM, 261.10 bushelsRonald L. Widmyer, Charles Town, Pioneer P1197AM, 224.71 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Nonirrigated
Margaret W. Miltenberger, Keyser, Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, 246.91 bushels
Lynn Widmyer, Charles Town, Pioneer P1197AM, 136.46 bushels
No-till, Irrigated
Todd Widmyer, Charles Town, Pioneer P1298AM, 246.11 bushels
Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-till, Irrigated
Ann Coleen Widmyer, Charles Town, Pioneer P1197AM, 237.38 bushels
Conventional, Irrigated
Grant Smith, Keyser, Pioneer P1197AM, 277.02 bushels
Louis Miltenberger, Keyser, Dekalb DKC67-44RIB, 259.92 bushels
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