Be part of corn’s history-making! Your contribution matters

At the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), they know that champions are forged not just in the wins, but also in the legacy they leave with the land. The  National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) is a legacy like no other and there is still time to enter your name in the contest’s 59^th year.

And your NCYC entry—your contribution to the contest—is what makes the difference. By adapting new practices, adopting new technologies and pushing for that next personal benchmark to do-more-with-less, America’s corn farmers are paving a path forward to help feed and fuel a growing world. The contest isn’t just about forging yield-busting champions, but also about creating a strong network of corn growers who have the knowledge, experience and grit to preserve each season no matter what challenges it may bring. It’s this network that commits each year to give their all and strives to set a new personal best so that future generations can carry the legacy onward and upward.

“The National Corn Yield Contest isn’t just about winning; it is also about storytelling,” said NCGA President and Minnesota farmer Tom Haag. “And corn has a very valuable story of continuous, historical progress to tell. Each year that we have growers participate in the contest, we weave together another impressive chapter to put in the books—and it reads about winning and persevering and pushing forward.”

And for growers looking to push forward with new opportunities within the contest, this year’s Nitrogen Management (Class J) pilot allows corn growers to continue experimenting with practices that reduce inputs to optimize economics and environmental stewardship. The pilot parameters are simple—growers decide what nitrogen forms to use and when to apply, but the total nitrogen applied must be 180 pounds or less. Pilot participation is limited to the first 100 growers located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, or Wisconsin.

So now is the time: Make the commitment! Contribute to 2023’s chapter in the NCYC story. Entry for all classes—including the new pilot class—is open until Wednesday, August 16. Visit ncga.com/NCYC for entry and harvest rules, resources, and information on how your entry fee could be eligible for our Voucher Program.

The National Corn Yield Contest is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of our partners:
Management (Class J) Pilot Sponsor: Verdesian Life Sciences
Gold Level Sponsors: BASF, John Deere and Pioneer Seeds

Thank you for your continued support of our NCGA farmers who commit each year to being their personal best!