Nick Suwyn from Michigan has topped the 2024 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network wheat yield contest with 171.9 bushels per acre. Jeffery Krohn, also of Michigan, took second place at 170.1 bushels/acre, while John Kilbourne of Ontario finished third with a yield of 160.2 bushels/acre.
Hosted by Grain Farmers of Ontario, Michigan State University, Michigan Wheat Program, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and the University of Guelph, this year marks the fourth Great Lakes YEN contest. The project has been instrumental in fostering knowledge exchange among farmers seeking innovative methods to enhance their winter wheat yields, organizers say.
The 2023-24 season was a challenging one, as planting in much of the region was delayed into October due to delayed soybean maturity in the fall of 2023 and persistent rainfall. A mild winter and excellent winter survival meant the crop got a head start for much of the season, however extreme heat at grain fill took the top off yield expectations in Ontario, especially.
Growers in the YEN also noted increased insect and disease pressure and that generally an early harvest helped maintain good yield quality. This year’s average yield across all participants reached over 115 bushels per acre.
“Farming is a highly technical and skilled profession that is at its best when it incorporates data and knowledge and builds on that insight for innovative new practices and better sustainability. The Great Lakes YEN has helped farmers access those insights for winter wheat to understand their yield, achieve better results and incorporate innovation on their farms,” says Paul Hoekstra, vice president, strategic development, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We would like to congratulate the winners, and we look forward to working with farmers across the province and the U.S. to help enhance yields.”
The contest isn’t just about top yields, but also about farmers achieving as close to estimated yield potential as possible. Jeff Krohn of Elkton, Michigan won second place in yield had 155 per cent of yield potential. More details will be released over the winter conference season.
Participants of the program receive full data and reports of the entire project, including more than 200 data points entered on the wheat crop during the growing season. Registration for the 2024-25 program will open in early October and will close on January 31, 2025.
