“Growers who are shooting for high yields, select a good variety and provide the crop with proper management for their yield level usually end up with high-quality wheat. Our quality testing over the past couple of years has proven this,” says Anne Osborne, director of the contest.
Contestants are encouraged to plan what management techniques they will adopt to reach their top-yield potential. The wheat yield contest encourages contestants to strive for high yield, quality, and profit.
There are a couple of changes to this year’s contest rules:
- There is now only one deadline and one price for entries per growing season
- Winter wheat entries are due May 15, 2023, and spring wheat entries are due Aug. 1, 2023
Each entry will cost $100. There are many partners with entry vouchers that contestants are encouraged to use. On the entry form, contestants will select the voucher they are applying to use for their entry payment.
Each contestant must save an 8 lb. sample of their wheat and the 24 national winners will send their samples in for analysis of baking and milling characteristics. Additionally, there is a test weight requirement for eligibility to win the national contest. Depending on class, wheat must exceed 57 or 58 pound test weight to compete.
National winners will receive a trip to the 2024 Commodity Classic, which will be in Houston, Texas. They are invited to the winners’ reception along with their families, seed suppliers and agronomists. Quality winners will be recognized per class and have the opportunity to earn an extra cash award.
»Related: 2022 Wheat Leader of the Year awardee announced
