Kansas Soybean Yield Contest 2023 - record entries and winners

By Scout Nelson

The Kansas Soybean Yield Contest saw a significant increase in participation due to environmental challenges during the 2023 crop season, with 40 entries, including new and returning participants, despite the challenges.  

The top honor for the highest yield in the statewide no-till irrigated division was clinched by Brett Froese of Inman, with his Pioneer 42A84E soybeans yielding an impressive 104.2 bushels per acre.  In the dryland category, Batchelder Farms of Highland took the prize with a yield of 101.3 bushels per acre using Xitavo X03922E soybeans. 

The contest also recognized achievements in various other divisions. Chad Neill of Effingham won the statewide value contest with a premium of $1.27 over cash value for his Pioneer 39A45X soybeans.  

Other notable winners included Gary Diveley and Jesse Clark in the conventional-till dryland category, Johnson Ag Inc., Paul C. Johnson, and Alex Noll in the no-till dryland category. 

In the northeast no-till dryland category, Vering Land and Pork emerged as the winner, while Rod Stewart and Ryan Stewart took first places in the north central divisions.  The east central no-till dryland category was topped by Robert Litch, who also secured second place in the statewide value contest. 

The southeast conventional-till and no-till dryland categories saw victories for Roger Draeger, Chris Payne, Luke Bellar, Dalton Draeger, Bradley and Emily McVey, and Jared Nash.  In the south-central no-till dryland division, Aaron Pauly and Bruce Seiler were the top performers. 

The statewide no-till irrigated division saw George Ensz and Menold Farms placing second and third, respectively, while in the conventional-till irrigated division, Doug Mills, Chad Penner, and Sam Miller showcased high yields.  

Roger Johnson earned the third place in the value contest, emphasizing the contest's focus on value-added qualities in soybean crops. 

The Kansas Soybean Commission rewarded the winners with monetary prizes, including a $1,000 award for the highest dryland and irrigated yields. Winners in each district and the value contest received tiered prizes. 

These achievements were celebrated at the 2024 Kansas Soybean Expo, recognizing the hard work and dedication of Kansas farmers in producing high-yield soybean crops despite environmental challenges. 

Photo Credit - istock-oticki