Childs Walks Away With NCGA CYC for Third Consecutive Year
December 14, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Gary Bradley, NCGA Strategic Marketing Communications Manager, 636-733-9004, ext. 139

ST. LOUIS (December 14, 2001) -- For the third consecutive year, Francis Childs of Manchester, Iowa, with a record-breaking yield of 408.2 bushels per acre, has once again walked away with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 2001 National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). The previous record was 393.7 bushels per acre fielded by, (surprise!) Childs.

He wasn't alone in his success. More than 3,200 growers from 45 states entered the contest. The resulting top yields from farmers who placed first, second and third places in the respective categories ranged from 408.2 to 224.8 bushels per acre.

Success in the face of adversity was the story of corn growers in 2001. Nature sent the usual challenges of flood, hail, drought and heat. "The NCYC's goal is to educate farmers on improving their methods of production to increase profitability while addressing environmental concerns," said Tim Hume, NCGA president and corn grower from Walsh, Colo.

As an example of the environmental concerns, this year's national winners used an average of .95 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of yield, well within accepted agronomic recommendations. "This contest showcases the production potential of corn, the nation's number-one crop and our growers certainly did that this year," Hume said.

Hume went on to say, using another sports example, the Corn Yield Contest is similar to setting the land speed record with a car. "Only a few people can actually do it, but the rest of us are interested in the potential an automobile has."

Winners of this year's NCYC will be recognized at the 2002 Commodity Classic, the annual combined convention of the NCGA and the American Soybean Association, Feb. 21-23 in Nashville, Tenn. Along with national recognition, winners receive prizes from sponsoring seed companies and crop protection companies.

Contest participants also improve their operations by getting a unique opportunity to compare their own proven corn production capabilities with farmers in their states and across the country.

"As we close the 2001 contest and begin work on 2002," Hume concluded, "we thank the harvest supervisors in the communities for the hard work that keeps the National Corn Yield Contest a high-quality, credible contest. Finally, we congratulate the contestants and look forward to seeing their entries in the 2002 contest."

Watch www.ncga.com for a complete list of state winners.

Following are the 27 national winners by class:

Legend For Winners:

WINNER NAME
WINNER CITY, FIELD STATE, MEMBER STATE
HYBRID BRAND, HYBRID NUMBER
YIELD PER BUSHELS

A NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

David W Hatton
Salt Lick, KY, KY
Pioneer, 33R77
294.1783 bushels per acre

Schwenke Bros
Union, KY, KY
Pioneer, 31G98
275.8202 bushels per acre

J M Souza Farms Inc.
Lodi, CA, CA
Pioneer, 33B50
274.2533 bushels per acre

AA NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

Francis Childs
Manchester, IA, IA
Pioneer, 34M95
408.2187 bushels per acre

Ira Wagler
Montgomery, IN, IN
Pioneer, 33P67
281.1339 bushels per acre

Norman Wagler
Montgomery IN, IN
Pioneer, 33P67
262.953 bushels per acre

A NO TILL/STRIP TILL NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

David K Hula
Charles City, VA, VA
Pioneer, 32H58
309.5031 bushels per acre

Coastal Carolina Farms Inc.
Mocksville, NC, NC
Pioneer, 31G98
254.0245 bushels per acre

Keith Wood
Andrews, NC, NC
Pioneer, 32H58
247.2877 bushels per acre

AA NO TILL/STRIP TILL NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

Scott D. Hoerr
Quincy, MO, MO
Pioneer, 34B28
264.8958 bushels per acre

Mike Comer
Scottsburg, IN, IN
Pioneer, 33J24
263.3856 bushels per acre

Anna Hoerr
Quincy, MO, MO
Pioneer, 33P67
261.9256 bushels per acre

NO TILL/STRIP TILL IRRIGATED CLASS

Kenneth Beaver Jr.
Sterling, NE, NE
Pioneer, 33P67
312.4394 bushels per acre

Mike Meads
Hermiston, OR, OR
Pioneer, 34W67
296.9025 bushels per acre

Alvin Harris & Sons Inc.
Pasco, WA, WA
Pioneer, 33B50
294.2361 bushels per acre

A RIDGE TILL NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

Blane Anthony
Talmage, NE, NE
Pioneer, 33R77
260.0925 bushels per acre

Jon Marshall Hardwick
Newellton, LA, LA
Pioneer, 3223
229.622 bushels per acre

Charles Haines
Sudlersville, MD, MD
DEKALB, DKC56-71
224.7814 bushels per acre

AA RIDGE TILL NON-IRRIGATED CLASS

Eldon Gohn
Rochester, IN, IN
Pioneer, 34M95
238.1005 bushels per acre

Cox Farms
Delta, MO, MO
Pioneer, 31G98
234.3516 bushels per acre

Roger W. Wolfe
Baltimore, OH, OH
Pioneer, 33J24
234.2205 bushels per acre

RIDGE TILL IRRIGATED CLASS

Phil & Kayla Sharkey
Hermiston. OR, OR
Pioneer, 33B50
323.6595 bushels per acre

Chris Beaver
Sterling, NE, NE
Pioneer, 33B51
318.6327 bushels per acre

Marty Meads
Hermiston, OR, OR
Pioneer , 33P66
308.839 bushels per acre

IRRIGATED CLASS

Leila B. Beaver
Sterling, NE, NE
Pioneer, 33B51
321.3017 bushels per acre

Milferd Nichols
Dalhart, TX, TX
Pioneer, 33B51
313.2789 bushels per acre

Bruce McDaniel
Clayton, NM, NM
Pioneer, 32P75
299.3249 bushels per acre

ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE