The best farming practices and wisely selected seedstock varieties combined with favorable growing conditions to help Kansas farmers achieve high soybean yields and value in 2014.

"The annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests recognize outstanding Kansas farmers and provide fun incentives for them to improve," said Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Chanute, K-State Research and Extension southeast area agronomist, who began coordinating the contests this year. "They also allow the Kansas Soybean Association, with checkoff funding from the Kansas Soybean Commission, to share what participants learned to benefit all Kansas soybean farmers."

The yield contest included 33 entries, down four from 2013. The 24 winners in 12 categories had verified yields averaging 74.89 bushels per acre, compared to the reported state average of 36 bushels per acre in 2014. The contest winners' average decreased by 0.72 bushel per acre, while the state average increased 1 bushel per acre from 2013.

The value contest had 19 entries, five fewer than in the previous year. For their protein and oil contents, the top three entries averaged $1.52 (15.0 percent) in increased value over the $10.18 base cash price. In 2013, that average was $0.93 (7.1 percent) above a $13.05 cash price.

Bob Wietharn, Clay Center, topped the irrigated division with a no-till entry that made 99.81 bushels per acre. Meredith Jeschke, Highland, led the dryland division with a no-till entry of 84.30 bushels per acre. Harold Koster, Hoxie, won the value contest with $1.56 per bushel of increased value (15.3 percent over the cash price).

In east-northeastern Kansas, Jason Taylor, Highland, won the conventional-tillage, dryland competition with 82.15 bushels per acre. Behind Jeschke (Highland), Jeremy Olson, Everest, took second place in the no-till, dryland competition with 83.48 bushels per acre. Kyle Jeschke, Highland, placed third with 82.99 bushels per acre.

In northeastern Kansas, Alex Noll, Winchester, won the conventional-till, dryland competition with 80.73 bushels per acre. Armstrong Farms, Muscotah, took second place with 67.96 bushels per acre. Derek Gigstad, Valley Falls, won the no-till, dryland competition with 74.88 bushels per acre.