South Dakota Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced

South Dakota winners in the 2010 Corn Yield Contest recorded yields as high as 287.6 bushels per acre.
That was the winning mark harvested by Justin Ogle of Harold in the ridge till irrigated division. South Dakota had 118 entries in six categories.
The contest, conducted by the National Corn Growers Association, is in its 46th year and remains the organization’s most popular program for members. With 7,119 entries, the national contest set a participation record again this year.
Winners in South Dakota’s contest:
Class A, non-irrigated: 1. Nick Fickbohm, Akron, Iowa, Pioneer Hybrid, 266.8837 bushels per acre; 2. Eric Fornia, Elk Point, Dekalb, 255.6672 bushels; 3. Frank Kralicek, Yankton, Pioneer, 237.6358 bushels.
Class A, no-till/strip till non-irrigated: 1. Dwight Fickbohm, Akraon, Iowa, Pioneer, 262.8413 bushels; 2. Randy Kienow, Aberdeen, Dekalb, 256.8135; 3. Lannie Mielke, Mellette, Dekalb, 256.0671.
Irrigated class: *Iron Nation, Pierre, Pioneer, 251.6088 bushels; Riverside Farms, Huron, Pioneer, 240.8371; Randy Svendsen, Volin, Dekalb, 237.6883.
No till/strip till irrigated: 1. Iron Nation, Pierre, Pioneer, 263.7376; 2. Prairie Creek Ranch, Yankton, Pioneer, 239.1427; 3. Greg McCann, Springfield, Pioneer, 236.1427.
Ridge till non-irrigated: 1. Scott McKee, Hawarden, Iowa, Pioneer, 231.7229.
Ridge till irrigated: 1. Justin Ogle, Harrold, Dekalb, 287.6093; David Ogle, Harrold, Dekalb, 254.0130; Stacey Ogle, Mitchell, Pioneer, 240.3139.
“While this contest certainly provides growers a chance to participate in a good natured competition with their peers, it also advances farming techniques as a whole,” said Steve Ebke, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The very techniques and practices contest winners develop provide the basis for more widely used advances that benefit the industry. This contest highlights how innovation, both from growers and technology providers, allows us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber in a sustainable manner.”
Nationally, the 24 winners in eight production categories had verified yields averaging more than 301.721 bushels per acre, compared with the projected national average of 154.3 bushels per acre in 2010.
While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories ranged from 263.6 to 368.444 bushels per acre.