Posted: 12.17.2010

The Steiger family from Bloomington, Wisconsin are the sole representatives in the National Corn Growers Yield Contest categories for 2010.

The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 46th year and had 7,119 entries!  The contest itself set a new participation record with a 2.3 percent increase over 2009 involvement. And there were big yields numbers too!

The 24 winners in eight production categories had verified yields averaging more than 301.721 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 154.3 bushels per acre in 2010.

 While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories ranged from 263.6 to 368.444 bushels per acre.

The Wisconsin winners were Eugene and Betty Steiger of Bloomington with two different DeKalb varieties that topped two different NCGA categories.

Betty Steiger took the number one spot nationally in the AA non-irrigated corn category with a yield of 299.8387 bushel per acre.  Eugene Steiger's entry topped the AA no till/strip till non-irrigated category with a projected yield of 299.6667 bushel per acre.

Steve Ebke, chair of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team said, “The very techniques and practices contest winners develop provide the basis for more widely used advances that benefit the industry.  This contest highlights how innovation, both from growers and technology providers, allows us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber in a sustainable manner.”

  “A large portion of our members first joined NCGA so that they could participate in the National Corn Yield Contest and test their skills as a grower,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “While many join to gain entry, their view of the organization, and corresponding level of participation, evolves.  Once a contest participant looks more closely at our activities and achievements on behalf of all American growers, they see the value in a grassroots approach that unites the voices of corn farmers across the country to affect change.  Reluctant joiners turn into vital members, spokespeople for their industry and active advocates of NCGA membership.” 

The National Corn Growers Yield Contest winners will be presented their plaques and honored during Commodity Classic this March in Tampa, Florida.

« back to news articles