Missouri farmers have consistently brought big numbers on soybeans in the annual yield contest, combining innovation and expertise throughout the growing season that pays off at harvest.

For the 2021 Soybean Yield Contest, the Missouri Soybean Association has made two changes to the rules to reflect the adoption of on-farm practices across the state:
1) New Category for District Competition- Cover Crop To qualify for this new category, soybean must be planted without tillage into a cover crop. There is no restriction on the type of cover crop used or on the termination timing of the cover crop. Irrigation is not allowed for this category. The Cover Crop category will be added to the existing District categories of No-tillage (dry land) and Tilled (dry land). Each district will have the opportunity to recognize winners in each of the three categories.

2) Recheck Yield Moved to 90 bu/acre- For many years, a recheck has been required at 75 bu/acre. With yields continuing to climb it is appropriate to raise that to 90 bu/acre. Weigh wagons may be used for yields up to 90 bushels per acre. Any contest yield in excess of 90 bu/acre must be rechecked and the recheck results will be the official contest yield. State-certified scales and moisture testers must be used for measuring and weighing processes for recheck yields in excess of 90 bushels per acre. On-farm scales may be used if they are state certified.

The higher recheck requirement is in keeping with the ever-increasing yields. Missouri’s statewide average soybean yield was nearly 50 bu/ac in 2020. The contest will continue to include district-level competition, recognizing winners in the tilled, no-till and cover crop categories. Top statewide winners will be recognized for dry land and irrigated production.

Entries topping 100 bu/ac will continue to receive special recognition in the 2021 contest. Entries must be from fields 10 acres or larger in size and located within Missouri, and all participants must be at least 18 years of age. Each entry must be submitted on a separate entry form. All contest entries must use soybean varieties available in the marketplace for Missouri. No experimental or research line(s) are eligible for Missouri’s soybean yield contest.

Prizes will be awarded during the Missouri Soybean Association’s district meetings and annual meeting in early 2022. Winners will also be recognized online and in Missouri Soybean Farmer magazine. Entry forms, rules and prize details are available on mosoy.org, or growers may request copies by calling the Missouri Soybean office at (573) 635-3819.