Several farms with outstanding production practices and more ideal weather conditions were honored for their top yields and grain quality at the Kentucky Commodity Conference in Bowling Green on Jan. 15. The various contests are administered by faculty of the University of Kentucky Department of Plant & Soil Sciences and sponsored by Kentucky Soybean, Kentucky Corn and Small Grain Growers and Kentucky agribusinesses. Grain producers interested in participating in the 2026 contest should contact their county Extension office.

Photo credit: Matt Barton, University of Kentucky.

Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest

State Champion No-Till Division
Hunt Farms, Christian, 134.62 bu/a
Hunt Farms of Christian County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest No-Till Division by producing 134.62 bushels per acre. They received the Don Halcomb Traveling Trophy sponsored by Siemer Milling Company. 1 – Pictured left to right are Chad Lee (University of Kentucky), Brandon Hunt, Neil Denton (Ky Small Grain Growers)

State Champion Tillage Division
Cates Farms, Henderson, 114.75 bu/A
Cates Farms of Henderson County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest Tillage Division by producing 114.75 bushels per acre. They received the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Traveling Trophy. Pictured left to right are Chad Lee (University of Kentucky), Brian Semple (Siemer Milling), Ab Cates, Neil Denton (Ky Small Grain Growers).

Quality Champion & Area 1 No-Till Division
Folz Farms, Christian
Folz Farms of Christian County was named the first Quality Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest. Their wheat had a test weight of 62.6 pounds, 9.3% protein and other grain characteristics that improve baking quality. Folz Farms was also the Area 1 No-Till Division winner, achieving a yield of 123.31 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Chad Lee (University of Kentucky), Thomas Folz, Tom Folz, and Neil Denton (Ky Small Grain Growers).

Supervisor Award
Matt Futrell, Christian, highest average yield
Matt Futrell of Christian County was honored as the supervisor with the highest average yield in the 2025 Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest. Pictured left to right are Chad Lee (University of Kentucky), Matt Futrell (Christian County Extension), Neil Denton (Ky Small Grain Growers), and Brian Semple (Siemer Milling).

2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest

The contest and awards are sponsored by the Kentucky Soybean Board and the Kentucky Soybean Association.

1 – State Champion & Champion Full Season – Irrigated
Hunt Farms, Christian, 100.71 bu/A
Hunt Farms of Christian County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest by producing 100.71 bushels per acre. Hunt Farms was also champion of the Full-Season Irrigated Division. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Brandon Hunt and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

2 – 2nd Place Full Season – Irrigated
Tanner Stroup, Daviess, 99.85 bu/A
Tanner Stroup of Daviess County earned second place in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Full Season Irrigated Division by producing 99.85 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Tanner Stroup and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

3 – Champion Full Season – Non-Irrigated
Wells Bros. Farm, Daviess, 100.03 bu/A
Wells Bros. Farms of Union County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Full Season Non-Irrigated Division by producing 100.03 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Clay Wells and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

4 – 2nd Place Full Season – Non-Irrigated & 2nd Place Double-Crop – Non-Irrigated
Goetz Brothers Farms, Daviess, 97.38 bu/A
Goetz Brothers Farms of Daviess County earned second place in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Full Season Non-Irrigated Division by producing 97.38 bushels per acre. They were also recognized as the second-place winners of the Double-Crop Non-Irrigated Division with a yield of 72.54 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Tate Smith, Scott Goetz, Joe Goetz, Justin Goetz, Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

5 – Champion Double-Crop – Irrigated
Ken-Maur Farms, Daviess, 69.05 bu/A
Ken-Maur Farms of Daviess County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Double-Crop Irrigated Division by producing 69.05 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Scott Ebelhar, Will Ebelhar, Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

6 – Champion Double-Crop – Non-Irrigated
Hendrickson Farms, Union, 88.39 bu/A
Hendrickson Farms of Union County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Double-Crop Non-Irrigated Division by producing 88.39 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Jim Hendrickson, Ann Hendrickson, Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

7 – District I Non-Irrigated
Dixon Farms, Graves, 68.97 bu/A
Dixon Farms of Graves County was named the District I winner in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Non-Irrigated Division by producing 68.97 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Kyle Dixon, Leah Dixon, Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

8 – District III Non-Irrigated
Alford Farms, Edmonson, 91.40 bu/A
Alford Farms of Edmonson County was named the District III winner in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Non-Irrigated Division by producing 91.40 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Jenny Alford, Andy Alford and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

9 – District IV Non-Irrigated – Rogers Farms, Hardin, 94.84 bu/A
2nd Place Quality Award – % Protein – Rogers Farms, Hardin, 0.3884
Rogers Farms of Hardin County was named the District IV winner in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest Non-Irrigated Division by producing 94.84 bushels per acre. The farm was also recognized for earning second place for protein content by achieving 38.84% protein. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Adam, Rhett and Phillip Rogers, and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

10 – 1st Place Quality Award – % Oil & 1st Place Quality Award – % Protein
Mitchell Farm, Webster
Mitchell Farm of Webster County earned first place for oil content and protein content in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest State Quality Awards. The farm’s soybeans tested 25.04% oil and 39.04% protein. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Brad Mitchell and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

11 – 2nd Place Quality Award – % Oil
MW Thomas Farm, Hardin, 0.2493
MW Thomas Farm of Hardin County earned second place for oil content in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest State Quality Awards by achieving 24.93% oil. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Mark Thomas and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

12 – Supervisor Award
Matt Futrell, Christian, supervisor of the state champion
Matt Futrell of Christian County was honored as the supervisor of the state champion in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Matt Futrell, and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

13 – Supervisor Award
Clint Hardy, Daviess, highest average yield
Clint Hardy, ANR agent of Daviess County, was honored as the supervisor with the highest average yield and most entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Clint Hardy (Daviess County Extension) and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

14 – Supervisor Award
Katie Hughes, Union, 3 or more entries
Katie Hughes of Union County was honored as a supervisor with three or more entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Katie Hughes and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

15 – Supervisor Award
Ashley Norton, Hardin, 3 or more entries
Ahsley Norton of Hardin County was honored as a supervisor with three or more entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Ashley Norton, and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

16 – Supervisor Award
Danny Adams, Wayne, 3 or more entries
Danny Adams of Wayne County was honored as a supervisor with three or more entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Danny Adams and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

17 – Supervisor Award
Jason Phillips, Simpson, 3 or more entries
Jason Phillips of Simpson County was honored as a supervisor with three or more entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are: Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Jason Phillips, Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

18 – Supervisor Award
Troy Muse, Daviess, 3 or more entries
Troy Muse of Daviess County was honored as a supervisor with three or more entries submitted in the 2025 Kentucky Soybean Yield and Quality Contest. Pictured left to right are Mohammad Shamim (University of Kentucky), Troy Muse and Fred Sipes (Kentucky Soybean Board).

2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest 

1 – State Champion NO PHOTO

2 – 2nd Place Non-Irrigated Division
Mitchell Farm, Webster, 321.19 bu/A
Brad Mitchell of Webster County earned second place overall in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest Non-Irrigated Division by producing 321.19 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Scott Ebelhar (Ky Corn Growers), Vicki Shadrick (Webster County Extension), Brad Mitchell and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

3 – 3rd Place Non-Irrigated Division & District 3 No-Till Winner
Goetz Brothers Farms, Daviess, 320.25 bu/A
Goetz Bros. Farms of Daviess County earned third place overall in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest Non-Irrigated Division by producing 320.25 bushels per acre. The farm was also recognized as the District III winner in the No-Till Division with a second yield of 313.28 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Scott Ebelhar (Ky Corn Growers), Justin Goetz, Joe Goetz, Scott Goetz, Tate Smith and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

4 – State Champion White Corn Division
Gene Glenn and Sons, Daviess, 258.72 bu/A
Gene Glenn and Sons of Daviess County were named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest White Corn Division by producing 258.72 bushels per acre. They received the White Corn Traveling Trophy sponsored by Pioneer. Pictured left to right are Scott Eblehar (Ky Corn Growers), Austin Glenn, Jacqueline Glenn, Gene Glenn and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

5 – State Champion Irrigated Division
Dixon Farms, Hickman, 316.45 bu/A
Dixon Farms of Hickman County was named State Champion of the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest Irrigated Division by producing 316.45 bushels per acre. They received a traveling trophy sponsored by H&R Agri-Power. Pictured left to right are Scott Ebelhar (Ky Corn Growers), Kyle Dixon, Leah Dixon and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

6 – 3rd Place Irrigated Division
Drew Langley, Hardin, 311.15 bu/A
Drew Langley of Hardin County earned third place in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest Irrigated Division by producing 311.15 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Scott Eblehar (Ky Corn Growers), Keith Tapp (mentor), Drew Langley and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

7 – District 2 No-Till Division
Folz Farms, Christian, 296.78 bu/A
Folz Farms of Christian County was named a District 2 winner in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest No-Till Division by producing a yield of 296.78 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Scott Ebelhar (Ky Corn Growers), Thomas Folz, Tom Folz and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

8 – District 4 No-Till Division
Peterson Farms, Marion, 300.68 bu/A
Peterson Farms of Marion County was named a District 4 winner in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest No-Till Division by producing a yield of 300.68 bushels per acre. Pictured left to right are Chad Lee (University of Kentucky), Scott Ebelhar, Grant Ziliak and Brandon Hunt (Ky Corn Growers).

9 – Supervisor Award
Troy Muse, Daviess, highest average yield, most entries
Troy Muse of Daviess County was named top supervisor in the 2025 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest for having the top average yields in both the tillage and no-till divisions. Pictured left to right are Scott Ebelhar (Ky Corn Growers), Troy Muse and Chad Lee (University of Kentucky).

Link To Original Article: https://graincrops.mgcafe.uky.edu/articles/photos-2025-kentucky-yield-contest-winners