Corn
Yield Contest Early-Entry Deadline Only 16 Days Away (6-15-05)
The early entry
deadline for the 40th annual National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC)
is rapidly approaching, with July 1 only 16 days away. Entries must
be postmarked by July 1 to take advantage of the early bird entry
fee of $70. After July 1, the entry fee goes up to $95.
“Forty years is quite a milestone for the
contest and we’re hopeful this will be the biggest contest
yet. By sending in entry forms by the July 1 deadline, producers
can save $15 per entry,” said Max Starbuck, director of livestock
and economic analysis. “This year, we’ve put the entry
form online to make things that much easier.”
Corn growers
may download an entry form from www.ncga.com. Click
here for the form. Contestants may also fill out a form online
on NCGA’s Web site.
The NCYC is the largest agricultural production
contest in the United States. In 2004, 3,382 contestants from 46
states entered the NCYC. Winners receive recognition in national
publications, such as NCYC Corn Yield Guide, cash trips, and awards
from seed, chemical and crop protection companies.
Traditionally, the contest has been an avenue for
farmers to use different techniques in growing corn.
“The Corn Yield Contest is carried out to
encourage new and innovative ways to increase yields,” Starbuck
said.
“It’s a good way to keep up with the
technologies involved in farming and to utilize your resources well,”
said Rodney Moe, vice president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
and member of the Production and Stewardship Action Team. Moe has
participated in the contest for 2 years.
There are nine categories for growers:
* A Non-irrigated class
* AA Non-irrigated class
* A No Till/Strip Till Non-irrigated
* AA No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
* No Till/Strip Till Non-irrigated
* A Ridge Till Non-irrigated
* AA Ridge Till Non-irrigated
* Ridge Till Irrigated
* Irrigated
Class AA includes only Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Class A is for all other
states except those previously listed. No-till irrigated, ridge-till
irrigated and irrigated classes comprise all states.
Most national winners (first, second and third place)
and first-place state winners receive expenses-paid trips, sponsored
by seed companies, to the Commodity Classic in 2006 in Anaheim,
Calif.
The average yield of all participants in last year’s
contest was 219.49 bushels per acre.