Tennessee Corn Grower Places Nationally in Corn Yield Contest

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has announced the winners of the 2023 National Corn Yield Contest. Among this impressive group of farmers proving the ingenuity and resiliency of the U.S. farmer, Tennessee farmer Joshua Will Watson of Sweetwater, TN, placed nationally in the Conventional Non-Irrigated category with a yield of 344.9090 bushels per acre. In addition to Joshua, other members of the Watson Family placed 1st in four different state categories.

In its 59th year, the National Corn Yield Contest saw nearly 7,000 entries from farmers in 46 states. Entrants across the 10 production categories, including the pilot category for nitrogen management, Class J, had verified yields averaging 269 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 173 bushels per acre. This includes a new national record yield of 623.8439 bushels per acre from David Hula in Charles City, VA, besting the previous record of 616.1953 bushels per acre.  

The 27 national, 526 state and 3 Class J winners will be honored by NCGA at Commodity Classic in Houston, TX, February 28 – March 2, 2024.

An interactive list of the 2023 National and State winners can be found at ncga.com/ncyc. 

Congratulations to all 2023 winners!