MI Wheat Program announces the 2023 Michigan and National Wheat Yield Contest winners
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Wheat Program announced and honored the state’s top yielding wheat growers for the past growing season. The growers honored included entries in the Michigan Wheat Yield Contest, with two of them receiving high honors in the National Wheat Yield Contest, as well.
The Michigan Wheat Program supports growers’ participation in both the state and national yield competitions, which were developed to recognize growers finding new ways to ramp up production. The National Wheat Foundation’s (NWF) contest has as its goals to enable knowledge transfer between growers, encourage experimentation with new technologies and support new ideas in wheat yield.
When a Michigan wheat farmer enters the NWF contest, he or she is automatically entered into the Michigan Wheat Program Yield Competition – which seeks to identify the state’s “Wheat Warriors,” also known as the best producers.
Winners in the 2023 Michigan Wheat Yield Contest
Dryland Soft White Winter Wheat
Number one is Eschenburg Farms, Randy Eschenburg, Lapeer County at 169.8 bu./acre.
Number two is Krohn Acres, Jeff Krohn, Huron County at 167.1 bu./acre.
Number three is Milligan Farms, Dave Milligan, Tuscola County at 136.3 bu./acre.
Dryland Soft Red Winter Wheat
Number one is Clearview Farms, Nick Suwyn, Barry County at 162.9 bu./acre.
Number two is Bartle Farms, Dwight Bartle, Sanilac County at 139.6 bu./acre.
Number three is Bartle Farms, Nancy Bartle, Sanilac County at 137.4 bu./acre.
Irrigated Soft Red Winter Wheat
Number one is Clearview Farms, Nick Suwyn, Barry County at 171.1 bu./acre.
Number two is Briggs Farms, Gordon Briggs, Mason County at 160.3 bu./acre.
Number three is Clover Acres, Jordan Clover, Ionia County at 141.5 bu./acre.
Overall State Winner for Michigan
Nick Suwyn, Barry County for his Irrigated Soft Red Winter Wheat yield (171.1 bu./acre).
Michigan winners in the 2023 National Wheat Yield Contest
Dryland Soft White Winter Wheat
Number two in the U.S. is Randy Eschenburg, Lapeer County at 169.8 bu./acre.
Irrigated Soft Red Winter Wheat
Number two in the U.S. is Nick Suwyn, Barry County at 171.1 bu./acre.
Michigan State University wheat specialist Dennis Pennington noted that the Michigan wheat producers honored had a phenomenal year, especially considering the very dry weather in many parts of the state during grain fill last summer.
The Michigan Wheat Program board extends a hearty congratulations to all 2023 winners! Wheat growers feeling bullish about this winter wheat crop are reminded that the deadline to register for the 2024 contest is May 15. To enter the national (and Michigan) contest visit https://www.yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org/. There is a fee of $125 per entry, but many times growers can get this covered by one of the contest’s sponsors.
National winners are determined by the percent of their local county average wheat yield and broken down by marketing class. Top national winners receive a trip to the Commodity Classic.
Michigan follows the NWF rules and procedures for entering, collecting data and reporting yields. However, in Michigan, winners are determined based on bushel/acre yield, not percent of county yield. Winners will be selected in the categories of irrigated and dryland wheat, and in both red and white wheat. Michigan winners are announced at the Michigan Wheat Program’s Annual Meeting held each winter. The top winner in each category receives a trip to Michigan’s Great Lakes Crop Summit held in January.
The Michigan Wheat Program is funded by nearly 8,000 farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program board seeks to promote the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research on wheat production practices and grower education has been a continued focus for the organization.