Missouri's 2016 statewide average soybean harvest reached a new state record of 50 bushels per acre, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, soybean farmers were nearly doubling that number in the Missouri Soybean Yield Contest.

This year, results from the annual yield contest coordinated by the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council saw yields surpassing 95 bushels per acre.

Thomas White III, of Norborne, nearly doubled Missouri's statewide soybean average with his 96.5-bushel-per-acre yield. In the conventional tillage category, White achieved this yield planting Pioneer P45T48R soybeans under no irrigation. For irrigated soybeans, Ethan Stenger of Liberal realized 96.3 bushels per acre using Asgrow AG3832 seed.

"It is outstanding to see growers come together for friendly competition and continuous improvement through the annual yield contest," Matt McCrate, a southeast Missouri farmer and president of the Missouri Soybean Association, said in a news release. "Stewardship and efficiency are key to success on the farm, and our winners demonstrate innovation and commitment to those keys in reaching these high yields."

Winners will be recognized at district soybean meetings early this year, with the statewide winners recognized during the Missouri Soybean Association annual meeting in Jefferson City at the end of January. Here is the list of the top soybean producers in the contest statewide:

Statewide winners receive prizes including a trip to the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plus accessories, along with gift cards to Cabela's and for purchasing biodiesel, courtesy of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council along with its industry partners.

District winners in each category also receive their choice of $750 in biodiesel or in Cabela's gift cards. Here are the district winners:

Participants in the Missouri Soybean Yield Contest were required to enter their fields into the competition prior to harvest. The 2016 entry deadline was Sept. 1. At harvest, participants were required to have a designated judge verify their yield results for the competition, and to submit their verified results no later than Nov. 15.