BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Registration for the Illinois Wheat Association’s (IWA) 2023 Wheat Yield Contest is now open to Illinois farmers competing for the top weight/yield of wheat harvested.
This year, entrants will compete statewide for the top three yields, which must be from a 2022 commercial seed purchase. Those interested in participating in the annual contest must be members of the Illinois Wheat Association and submit their entry by June 4.
“The Wheat Yield Contest is not just a competition but a great opportunity for farmers to learn from one another and see what worked or didn’t work,” said Megan Dieken, IWA interim executive director.
A farm or operation may enter more than one entry, but each entry must have a different individual name. Participants are asked to fill out separate forms for each entry. Contest field must be at least 10 continuous acres of one variety number.
IWA defines continuous as fields that are not separated by public roads, permanent field roads, or waterways that are delineated out of FSA maps or other structures of features that cause a field to be “farmed” separately.
Registrants are not required to have a supervisor for the state contest entry, but it is necessary for the national contest.
Although there will not be a separate organic category, USDA certified organic producers may use bin-run seed and enter the contest. A copy of the USDA certification must accompany the contest entry and be emailed to contact@illinoiswheat.org.
Contest entry is $50. Non-IWA interested in entering the contest may purchase and include a $50 one-year membership fee in their submission. Three-year memberships are also available for $150. Prizes for the 2023 contest are 1st place, $500; 2nd place, $250; and 3rd place, one-year IWA membership. Prizes are subject to contest participation.
Registration is available at https://www.illinoiswheat.org/wheat-yield-contest-2023.html. For more information, visit www.illinoiswheat.org, or email contact@illinoiswheat.org. Those interested in entering the national wheat yield contest should visit https://yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org/.
The Illinois Wheat Association is a member organization serving all aspects of the Illinois wheat industry, from producer to processor. Illinois Wheat Association provides educational opportunities, encourages research relating to wheat and wheat products, promotes marketing alternatives and represents its members in state and federal legislative activities relating to the needs of the Illinois wheat industry.
— Illinois Wheat Association