St. Louis, Missouri
May 8, 2002

The 2002 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest is underway, with the initial deadline for entries set for June 15, 2002. For the last four consecutive years, the CYC has been the playground of Manchester, Iowa, corn grower Francis Childs, who won last year with a record-breaking yield of 408.2 bushels per acre.

Paul Bertels, NCGA's director of production and marketing, said the contest's goal is to highlight the production potential of corn. "Contest participants improve their operations by getting a unique opportunity to compare their own proven corn production capabilities with farmers in their states and across the country," he said. "This contest also demonstrates improvements in production methods while addressing environmental concerns."

Last year, more than 3,200 growers from 45 states entered the contest. The resulting top yields from farmers who placed first, second and third places in the respective categories ranged from 408.2 to 224.8 bushels per acre. 

Once again, NCGA has incorporated additional questions into the entry form regarding entrants' non-contest corn production. Bertels noted, "This limited information will allow NCGA to demonstrate that its contest entrants are not only outstanding farmers, but are committed stewards to the land."

NCGA President Tim Hume has said, using another sports example, the Corn Yield Contest is similar to setting the land speed record with a car. "Only a few people can actually do it, but the rest of us are interested in the potential an automobile has," said Hume, a corn grower from Walsh, Colo.

Winners of this year's NCYC will be announced Dec. 15 and honored at the 2003 Commodity Classic, the combined convention and trade show of the NCGA and the American Soybean Association (ASA), Feb. 27-March 1 in Charlotte, N.C. Along with national recognition, winners may receive prizes from participating seed and crop protection companies.

Deadlines for entries and fees are June 15, $50; July 1, $60; and Aug. 1, $80. Entry forms are located on the NCGA website at http://www.ncga.com/02profits/CYC/main/index.html. More information is available by calling NCGA at 314-275-9915.

The National Corn Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs.