Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 1/25/19

The 2018 Soybean Yield Contest results are now available on the Soybean Extension Portal.

We had 24 entries in 2018, down from 62 entries in 2017. The harvest windows were narrow in 2018; many growers were not slowing down to measure soybean yield contest plots. Nonetheless, we had some impressive entries with 15 of the 24 entries submitted over 70 bu/A.

Of the entries submitted over 70 bu/A, there are several trends we picked up in 2018:
• 87% used an MG III or MGIV soybean variety
• 93% used ≤20-inch row spacing
• 93% were full-season soybeans
• 86% used foliar fungicides
• 80% used foliar fertilizers

In our 2018 agronomic research trials, we often saw a yield advantage of narrow row spacing (15 in or 18 in) vs wider row spacing (30 in or 36 in). We saw consistent yield increases in our trials across the state from the use of foliar fungicides; 2018 had wet, humid, and hot conditions conducive for disease development. In our 2018 research trials, we did not see a positive impact on soybean yield from the use of various foliar fertilizer products. More in-depth information from these research trials will be available on the Soybean Extension Portal in the coming months.

We would like to acknowledge our 2018 Soybean Yield Contest winners and the County Extension Agents who worked with these growers to verify their contest submissions and production practices. These growers were recognized at the 2019 NC Joint Commodity Conference earlier in January.

Highest Yield in the State: Matthews Family Farm, 104.5 bu/A from Davie County in the Northern Piedmont Region submitted by County Extension Agent Marsha McGraw

2nd Highest Yield in the State: Johnny Moore, 94.0 bu/A from Iredell County in the Southern Piedmont Region submitted by County Extension Agent Laura Elmore

3rd Highest Yield in the State (TIE): James Allen, 91.5 bu/A from Washington County in the Tidewater Region submitted by County Extension Agent Rod Gurganus
AND
Doug and Billy Mercer, 91.5 bu/A from Pasquotank County in the Tidewater Region submitted by County Extension Agent Al Wood

Highest Yield in the Southern Coastal Plain: Locklear Brothers Farm, 84.0 bu/A from Robeson County submitted by County Extension Agent Mac Malloy

Highest Yield in the Northern Coastal Plain: Sharp Farms Inc., 82.4 bu/A from Wilson County submitted by County Extension Agent Norman Harrell

Most Efficient Yield in the State: Temple Family Farms, $4.75/bu from Pasquotank County submitted by County Extension Agent Al Wood

2nd Most Efficient Yield in the State: Matthews Family Farm, $5.13/bu from Davie County submitted by County Extension Agent Marsha McGraw

3rd Most Efficient Yield in the State: Blizzard Farms Inc. $5.21/bu from Greene County submitted by County Extension Agent Grayson Wells

Most Efficient Yield in the Southern Piedmont: Jason Starnes, $5.35/bu from Rowan County submitted by County Extension Agent Morgan Watts

Most Efficient Yield in the Southern Coastal Plain: Locklear Brothers Farm, $5.80/bu from Robeson County submitted by County Extension Agent Mac Malloy

The NC Soybean Producers Association has decided using various stakeholder feedback to modify the Soybean Yield Contest categories moving into 2019 and beyond. More information will be forthcoming on these changes through the NC Soybean Producers Association. Most notably the Most Efficient Soybean Yield Contest will be eliminated moving into 2019. There will now be division awards for both irrigated and non-irrigated soybeans across the state. Stay tuned for more details.

We again congratulate our 2018 Soybean Yield Contest winners. We appreciate all those who submitted entries into the contest as it is helpful to identify production practices associated with high-yielding soybeans across North Carolina!