The 2023 growing season presented a little bit of everything to soybean producers in North Carolina. Despite erratic conditions, we still saw some excellent yields this year, many of which are showcased in the North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest. Winners of the contest were announced at the Annual Commodity Conference.
We had 26 entries in the yield contest this year with an average of 80.2 bu/ac. There were 7 entries in the irrigated category and 19 entries in the non-irrigated category.
State Champions:
Overall State Champion and winner of the Irrigated Division:
Matthews Family Farms of NC, Inc. in Davie County
104.7 bushels per acre
Planted Pioneer 48A13E on May 5.
County Agent: Marsha McGraw
First Place Non-Irrigated
Cox and Watson Ag in Union County
100.8 bushels per acre
Planted Asgrow AG43XF2 on April 20
County Agent: Andrew Baucom
Second Place Irrigated Division
Danielle Venable in Davie County
101.6 bushels per acre
Planted Pioneer P48A13E on May 5
County Agent: Marsha McGraw
Second Place Non-Irrigated Division
Tyler Sholar in Pender County
98.6 bushels per acre
Planted Armor 50F96 on May 11
County Agent: Mark Seitz
Regional Champions:
Tidewater Region: The winner is Boerema Farms in Hyde County with a yield of 96.0 bushels per acre. They planted Asgrow AG39XF3 on April 26. The county agent is Andrea Gibbs.
Norther Coastal Plain Region: The winner is Austin Bryant in Northampton County with a yield of 88.4 bushels per acre. They planted Pioneer P46A36X on April 20. County Agent is Craig Ellison.
Southern Coastal Plain Region: The winner is Britt Family Farms in Duplin County with a yield of 83.5 bushels per acre. They planted Dyna Gro 58XT30 on April 24. The county agent is Della King.
Northern Piedmont Region: The winner is Walter Hill in Davidson County with a yield of 63.0 bushels per acre. They planted MorSoy 5110E on June 19. The county agent is Troy Coggins.
Southern Piedmont Region: The winner is Ray Horton in Rowan County with a yield of 81.5 bushels per acre. They planted Stine 37EC20 on April 21. The County Agent is Jenny Carleo.
Congratulations to all the winners! If you did not participate this year, talk to your county agent about how to enter the contest!
