The application period for the 11th annual Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge is officially open. All soybean producers in Arkansas are eligible to participate in this contest, which is administered by the Arkansas Soybean Association and funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, with crop management assistance provided by the University of Arkansas Extension Service.
Participating producers from across the state compete for a chance to win a cash prize by producing the highest yield crop in their region. The contest was established to recognize and reward the top soybean producers in Arkansas, collect valuable production data, and promote best production practices in the state.
“The Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge has shown Arkansas producers that they don’t have to settle for 60 bushels an acre,” said Brad Doyle, contest chairman. “When the contest started the average harvest was between 60 and 70 bushels. Now, the entries are normally all over 85 bushels an acre.”
The 2021 edition follows the format of previous years in which the state is divided into seven geographic regions or categories, plus one conventional (non-GMO) category, that covers the entire state. These include:
1. Northeast Delta: Mississippi, Crittenden, and East of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross counties.
2. Northeast: Randolph, Lawrence and West of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross counties.
3. White River Basin: Independence, Jackson, Woodruff, White, Monroe counties.
4. Central & Grand Prairie: Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie, Arkansas counties.
5. East Central Delta: St. Francis, Lee, Phillips, Desha (Snow Lake Area) counties.
6. Southeast Delta: Jefferson, Lincoln, Drew, Ashley, Chicot, Desha counties.
7. Western: Remainder of the state.
8. Conventional Division: Entire State non-GMO production.
Cash prizes for each category will be awarded to the top three producers at the ASA Annual Meeting in January. Those who place first in each category will receive a cash prize of $7,500; second-place contestants will receive $5,000; and third-place contestants will collect $2,500.
Producers who achieve 100 bushels for the first time are eligible to receive a portion of an additional $5,000 in prize money and a paid registration to the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana. For existing members of the 100 Bushel Club, producers will compete in a new category against each other for a $10,000 grand prize. As an added bonus, producers who submit their harvest report are eligible to receive a $100 incentive.
“The growers who participate in this contest are leading the industry by putting the latest science into practice,” said Donald Morton, ASPB chairman and Prairie County soybean producer. “It is fitting to recognize the efforts of these producers whose commitment to production excellence helps drive the Arkansas soybean industry forward.”
Production data and contest results from 2020 and previous years are available on the ASA website. Entry forms and contest rules are available upon request from the ASA office at 501-666-1418 or your local county Extension agent. They can also be downloaded at www.arkansassoybean.com or www.themiraclebean.com.
This announcement comes during the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board’s year-long celebration of its 50th Anniversary.
The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board provided information for this article.