Colorado Corn Cultivating Opportunities

A record-breaking year may lead to some refinements to America’s premier corn yield competition. The National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) Committee gathered at National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) last week to discuss how more entries and higher yields might affect the competition in future years.

“It was an outstanding meeting,” said NCGA Director of Production, Stewardship and Livestock Max Starbuck.” Along with the committee, we had growers, supervisors and seed company representatives participating. Every viewpoint was represented.”

One major area of discussion was yield rechecks, particularly with average contest yields increasing every year. Starbuck noted the 2007 contest has more than 4,900 entrants, and yields of more than 250 bushels per acre are becoming more common in all categories. The panel came up with several proposals to verify yield checks which will be discussed in more detail before 2008 contest rules are made final.

Other recommendations included some category changes to better reflect the mix of tillage practices used by growers. The panel also discussed ways to better use the data from the contest to help educate growers about the best management practices to improve both yields and stewardship.

“All the participants felt the meeting made significant progress in addressing important issues,” Starbuck said. “We will keep the state corn growers associations informed of what’s being discussed and how the process is taking place. We want to make sure everyone’s questions and concerns are heard and addressed.”

NCGA will announce the winners of the 2007 NCYC competition Dec. 17. The national and state awards will be distributed at the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 28 – March 1.