Three Brownstown farmers took the top three spots in Indiana in the annual National Corn Yield Contest.
Stephen Wischmeier placed first with a crop yield of 306.4515 bushels per acre with the winning field in Georgia, Jerry Wischmeier placed second with 307.2239 bushels per acre and Colton Wischmeier placed third with 300.1977 bushels per acre with fields in Indiana, all in the G:No-Till Irrigated Class.
The competition was sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, which included 6,337 entries from 46 states.
The Wischmeiers were three of the 539 state winners nationwide. Of the state winners, 27 growers — three from each of the nine classes — were named national winners representing 12 states.
The average yield among national winners was more than 340.7245 bushels per acre, which is more than double the projected 2022 U.S. average of 172 bushels per acre.
While there is no overall contest winner, yields from the first, second and third farmers’ overall production categories topped 262.7586 bushels per acre.
“Year after year, farmer participants contribute to building a better crop for tomorrow. By exploring adaption, innovation and the tools new technologies offer, farmers sharpen their game and set new standards for the industry,” said Tom Hagg, a Minnesota farmer and current president of the National Corn Growers Association. “One thing I know about corn farmers is how much they love to push themselves to be their best. The 2022 NCYC winners’ class is no exception. This group grew corn like champions.”
Farmers were challenged and encouraged through the contest to use new and efficient production techniques and adapting practices. Because of this, new agronomic data were revealed from the contest.
This contest has been taking place for more than half a century, providing corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world, according to a news release from the association.
All 2022 contest winners were invited to attend the 2023 Commodity Classic held March 9, 10 and 11 in Orlando, Florida.
The association represents nearly 40,000 members, 50 affiliated state corn grower and checkoff organizations and more than 300,000 corn farmers who contribute to state checkoff programs.