Mississippi soybean producers can put their skills to the test this year in the first Mississippi Soybean Yield Contest.

Yield contests encourage growers to conduct on-farm research, evaluate their agronomic practices, and increase yields and profits.

The Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board funds the contest with producer checkoff funds. The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Soybean Association will administer the competition.

The 2017 Mississippi Soybean Yield Contest will be divided into four categories: Maximum Yield — Irrigated; Maximum Yield — Dryland; Maximum Economic Yield — Irrigated; and Maximum Economic Yield — Dryland.

Winners in each division receive $4,000, and those in second place receive $1,000.

The entry period will remain open through Aug. 1, with all harvest forms due by Nov. 1.

Contest winners will be announced in early November at the Mississippi Soybean Forum.

Information about the contest, rules, and necessary forms are available through the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board website, https://www.mississippisoybeanassociation.com/yield-contest.