Georgia farmer Alex Harrell shatters own world soybean record

Alex Harrell has built upon his own soybean yield world record with an astounding 218.2856 bushels per acre, marking the second year in a row that the ag industry has seen a massive leap in this global benchmark.

Harrell, a 34-year-old from the Smithville area of Georgia, operates between 3,000 and 4,000 acres growing corn, wheat, and watermelons, in addition to soybeans. He increased his yield from last year’s 206.8 Bu/A record, which itself beat the previous gold standard of 190.2 Bu/A, set by fellow Georgian grower Randy Dowdy.

Last year’s mark was reached in a 10-acre block within a 60-acre sandy loam field equipped with pivot irrigation. A total of 85,000 Asgrow AG48X9 seeds were planted in 30-inch rows that year. For 2024, however, he went with the Pioneer P49Z02E variety at a 105,000 planting population. According to Agweb, this year’s contest entry went into red clay watered by center pivot irrigation on the opposite end of Lee County from his previous year’s entry.

“We changed up a lot because we wanted to see if we could repeat what we did last year in a different environment,” Harrell told DTN/The Progressive Farmer in an interview. “We were in a different soil type on the opposite end of the county. We changed genetic traits. We changed herbicide traits.”

Harrell is recognized as the first farmer to ever top 200 Bu/A in soybeans, making his improvement this year even more impressive.

“This is the power of innovation,” Pioneer said in a congratulatory Facebook post. “Well done, Alex!”

Harrell also utilized BRANDT’s cutting-edge nutritional technology, working closely with BRANDT experts and a crop consultant to craft a fertility product that included BRANDT Smart Trio, BRANDT Smart Quatro Plus, BRANDT Smart B-Mo, and BRANDT Smart K B.

“Congratulations, Alex, on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture yet again,” said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. “Let me put this in perspective: The USDA average soybean yield last year was less than 50 bushels per acre. Alex’s yield is an extraordinary accomplishment. And it’s even more special in that he’s now done it twice. We are thrilled to be part of the team.”

BRANDT has been involved in previous records, helping both Dowdy with his soybeans and Virginia farmer Dave Hula in setting world records.