How to Enter
Interested in testing new practices and comparing how they perform against other fields? Looking to break yield barriers and push pods to their full potential?
The ISA Yield Challenge is the opportunity to experiment with on-farm trials, discover what works best on your soil and compete with your peers in Illinois, all for a chance at cash rewards and bragging rights come harvest.
Categories
100-Bushel Challenge
Growers compete in irrigated and non-irrigated categories state-wide. The grower who achieves the largest yield over 100 bushels per ace in each category takes home a $4,000 prize.
Crop Region Contest
Growers compete within their regions for the top yield. First place in each region receives $1000.
Double-Crop Competition
Growers who double-crop soybeans after wheat or another crop harvested that same season can now submit a yield entry. There are three districts in this category: district 1 is north of I-80, district 2 is I-80 to I-70, and district 3 is south of I-70. First place in each district receives $1,000.
Side-by-Side Region Contest
Growers compare standard practices (control plot) with improved practices (test plot). The grower with the highest percentage yield increase in their region receives $1000.
Documents
- Yield Challenge Guidelines
- 100-Bushel Harvest Form
- Crop Region Contest Harvest Form
- Double Crop Competition Harvest Form
- Side-by-Side Harvest Form
Who can enter?
Growers can enter the Yield Challenge on their own or with a sponsor. Promoters can include agronomists, ag retailers, distributors or manufacturers. Promoters often recruit growers to test either a single product or combination of products. We encourage growers to reach out to agronomists and crop advisers to try new practices.
Students Are Welcome to Compete
The Yield Challenge provides a great opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in innovative and effective crop production techniques. We encourage FFA chapters, 4-H clubs and college ag clubs to participate. They may register in their appropriate crop region or district(double-crop) competition.
2018 Instructions
Please fill out an interest forms; there is no registration fee. However, if you plan to enter the competition we ask that you email Mike Scheer with your name, county and category being entered.
One entry/harvest form is due November 15.
All forms must be submitted electronically. Please complete, scan and email forms to yieldchallenge@ilsoy.org. You will receive an email confirmation that the forms were received. Keep the original form for your records.
More Information
Subscribe to the Yield Challenge monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date on the program, activities and pending actions.
Timeline
- November 15, 2018 – Harvest Form submission deadline
- December 20, 2018 – Yield Challenge winners announced
- January 10, 2019 – Yield Challenge Awards Banquet
Questions?
Contact Mike Scheer at (309) 531-2610 or mscheer@ilsoy.org.
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