Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 1/17/20


The 2019 Soybean Yield Contest results are now available on the Soybean Extension Portal.

The NC Soybean Yield Contest categories changed from previous years for the 2019 Soybean Yield Contest. You can find details about these changes in this press release from NCSPA.

Most notably, there is no longer a 'Most Efficient Yield Contest.’ There is now both irrigated and non-irrigated contests.

We had 38 entries in 2019, up from 24 entries in 2018. The average entry from the non-irrigated category was 77.2 bu/A. The average entry from the irrigated category was 95.0 bu/A. The state yield record of 107.4 bu/A was also broken in 2019 with a yield of 108.9 bu/A. Some of the production practices that contributed to these high yields are listed below:
• Early Planting: 50% of the entries were planted before May; 90% of the entries were planted before May 15
• Early Maturing Varieties: 68% used a MG III or IV, 26% used a MG V
• Narrow rows: 76% used ≤ 20 in row spacing

We would like to acknowledge our 2019 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 (NC soybean yield record, 1st place irrigated division): Matthews Family Farm, 108.9 bu/A from Davie County in the Northern Piedmont Region submitted by County Extension Agent Marsha McGraw

2nd Place Irrigated Division: Wilton Shooter and Sons, 89.7 bu/A from Robeson County in the Southern Coastal Plain submitted by County Extension Agent Mac Malloy.

1st Place Dryland Division: James Allen, 99.1 bu/A from Washington County in the Tidewater Region submitted by County Extension Agent Jalynne Waters.

2nd Place Dryland Division: 3B Farms, 93.1 bu/A from Washington County in the Tidewater Region submitted by County Extension Agent Rod Gurganus

The winner of Tidewater Region with a yield of 92.2 bu/A. is Boerema Farms, in Hyde County. The county agent is Andrea Gibbs.

The winner of the Northern Coastal Plain Region with a yield of 82.3 bushels per acre, is Boykin Farms, in Johnston County. The county agent is Tim Britton.

The winner of Southern Coastal Plain Region with a yield of 87.6 bushels per acre, is Locklear Brothers Farm, in Robeson County. The county agent is Mac Malloy.

The winner of Northern Piedmont Region with a yield of 87.5 bushels per acre, is Will Cox, of Randolph County. The county agent is Blake Szilvay.

The winner of Southern Piedmont Region with a yield of 76.9 bushels per acre, is Jason Smith, of Rowan County. The county agent is Morgan Watts.

We also want to recognize the top yield in the Southern Piedmont region, the NC State Mountain Horticultural Research Station with a yield of 91.5 bu/A. The research station is not eligible for a cash award, but they meet all requirements of the contest so we wanted to recognize their accomplishment.

We again congratulate our 2019 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!

For more information, click here.