Nick Olson Pushes for the Win

Yield Contest boosts innovation through friendly competition.

Farming, in many ways, is a lot like playing football.

Coaches develop players, send out their starting teams and hope they have the skill, heart, and drive to win, ultimately leading to a championship season.

Farmers plant the seeds they believe will thrive in their fields, resilient enough to withstand South Dakota’s erratic weather, while applying optimal levels of nutrition and protection—all in the hope of producing a bumper crop that can be sold at a decent profit.

Just as the end of a football season culminates in playoffs, harvest time

is also around the corner, marking the moment when hard work should pay off.

For Nick Olson who farms in rural Vermillion, the competitive spirit of the Yield Contest drew him in and motivated him to participate. “I heard about the contest a few years back, and it sparked something in me to join. I grew up playing different sports, and the Yield Contest has a competitive spirit that I enjoy. The challenge of trying to maximize not just the contest acres, but all the row crop acres, is a fun process.”

Growing up in Meckling, SD, on the family farm, Nick began his own farming operation while attending South Dakota State University (SDSU). “I started small, farming 80 acres while I was in school. My dad had equipment that he let me borrow and use during my first few years in business. Additionally, I was able to take advantage of the first-time farmer program through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which allowed me to purchase some row crop land and start operating after graduating from SDSU in 2007. My uncle and grandpa also farmed together on my mom's side as I was growing up. My grandpa has since retired, and today I farm alongside my uncle and his son.”

In 2023, Nick competed in the Yield Contest for the first time, placing 2nd in the Strip-Till, includes Minimum-Till, Mulch-Till, Ridge-Till Irrigated category. He hopes to achieve an even better result this year. “I found the experience both fun and educational. Last year was my first time competing in the contest, so it was enjoyable to learn the process and planning involved. There’s a lot of thought that goes into selecting the variety, location and practices. It’s also rewarding to see how well your plan performs and the results it yields.”

Nutrien Ag Solutions agronomist Mason Mueller who works with Nick shares, “I provide Nick with knowledge of agronomic data to be successful on every decision he makes throughout the season whether it’s from the soil, which is where it all starts, specific hybrid placement or timing of different specialized products in season. The yield contest allows all those key decisions that Nick and I made together to be recognized on a state and national level, which is why I enjoy the contest as an agronomist.” He continues, “I aim for my clientele of producers to be involved in the contest because I know how much hard work it takes them, day in and day out, to be as successful as possible. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the results at the end and they should be recognized for it.”

Not just interested in competing with other producers, Nick believes the contest has driven him to be more innovative and effective in his own farming practices. “I see the contest as a tool for learning and interacting with other corn growers. Corn production is ever-evolving, and the Yield Contest provides an opportunity to push the envelope and discover the potential of those acres. Individually, you get to plan the process and see the results, but there are also opportunities to share those practices with other growers at the South Dakota Corn Growers Association meeting or even the National Corn Growers Association meeting, which can be beneficial.”

Another new experience for Nick was joining the South Dakota Corn Growers Association in order to compete in the Yield Contest. “I didn’t hesitate to purchase a three-year membership and look forward to future Yield Contests and the annual South Dakota Corn Growers banquet. My longer-term plan is to attend the National Corn Growers meeting and interact with other Yield Contest contestants.”

All winners and their seed corn representatives will have the opportunity to attend a Winner’s Circle celebration as well as an evening banquet to be recognized at the South Dakota Corn Conference held on January 18th, 2025 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls.

About the Annual Yield Contest

The Yield Contest is a National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) competition held annually. It has been organized to encourage the development of new, sustainable and innovative management practices resulting in higher yields and to show the importance of using sound agricultural practices in United States corn production. Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place national winners, and first, second and third place state winners in each class.

Contest Classes Include

Conventional Non-Irrigated

No-Till Non-Irrigated

Strip-Till, includes Minimum Till, Mulch-Till, Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated

No-Till Irrigated

Strip-Till, includes Minimum-Till, Mulch-Till, Ridge-Till Irrigated

Conventional Irrigated