Area farmer is second in wheat yield contest

    The National Wheat Foundation has announced state winners for the 2021 Contest which includes 64 growers from 21 states.
    One of the growers recognized in Nebraska is from this area—Aaron Keiser.
    He placed second in Nebraska in the winter wheat dryland division for the 98.2667 per acre yield he harvested in Dundy County. He used the Plains Gold Snowmass 2.0 variety.
    “Drought plagued most spring wheat growers and many winter wheat farmers faced the exact opposite fighting a wet harvest in multiple areas,” said National Wheat Foundation Board Chairman David Cleavinger.
    The challenges not only show the persistence of growers in this industry, he said, but also highlighted the diversity of wheat which is shown in the range of yields of each region.
    The contest recognizes winners in two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. Grain had to be Grade 1 or 2 by Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) standards to be eligible for awards.  
    There were 387 entries for the contest this year. Cleavinger said spring wheat entries were down a little due to the drought.
    “Yields and quality were excellent in this year’s entries and contestants tell us they are continuing to learn how to increase yields and quality on their farms,” he said.  
    The Foundation’s National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC) offers growers the opportunity to compete with farmers from across the United States and improve their production practices through new and innovative techniques.