FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Left to right: Delaware Soybean Board Directors Kellie Yeagar and Matt Szelestei recognize Zac Collins as the 2024 Delaware Soybean Yield Contest winner.
Mark and Zac Collins of DMC Farms in Laurel achieved the highest yield again this year in the Delaware Soybean Yield Contest. In the 2024 growing season, they came just shy of matching last year’s record with a yield of 98.56 bushels per acre with their full-season Pioneer 37a18E soybeans planted on April 26. Collins set the contest record in the 2023 growing season with a 98.91 bu/ac yield.
Other statewide winners taking honors in the contest were Ben Syester in the double crop division, with a yield of 77.30 bu/ac, planting Seed Consultants SC7444E following barley on June 20, and Syester Farms in the non-irrigated division, with a yield of 71.70 bu/ac using the same variety planted June 16.
Also recognized were county winners in both the full season and double crop division. Jesse Ellis of Sussex County achieved a high yield of 86.85 bu/ac using Asgrow 38fx3, and Alan Garey of Kent County yielded 83.53 bu/ac growing Channel 4523 in the full season division. There were no full season entries from New Castle County. Mel Wyatt of Kent County reached a yield of 76.30 bu/ac with Pioneer P36A94, and Michael Wicks of New Castle County yielded 70.27 bu/ac using Pioneer P46A09E. No double crop entries were received from Sussex County.
“Delaware soybean farmers continue to showcase how sustainable practices can result in high yields, even in years when weather challenges lead to less-than-ideal growing conditions,” remarked Delaware Soybean Board Chair Tim Rogers. “We saw an increase in entries this year demonstrating grower’s willingness to showcase their abilities.”
Established by the Delaware Soybean Board in 2012, the Delaware Soybean Yield Contest allows growers to discover varieties and management choices that have proven successful in local fields. Over the past twelve years, the contest has received nearly 200 entries, recognizing grower success in full season and double-cropped soybeans on irrigated and non-irrigated acres.
Complete contest information and results summary can be found on the DSB website at https://desoybeans.org/yield-contest/.
Delaware farmers plant about 150,000 acres of soybeans annually, producing over seven million bushels of beans and generating approximately $60 million in value to the state. The Delaware Soybean Board consists of nine farmer-directors and the Secretary of Agriculture. Funded through a one-half of one percent assessment on the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale, the checkoff works with partners in the value chain to identify and capture opportunities that increase farmer profit potential.
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For information, contact:
Steve Breeding
Yield Contest Coordinator
302-381-6129
spbreeding@gmail.com
OR
Danielle Bauer Farace
Executive Director
Delaware Soybean Board
443-812-4526
Danielle@desoybeans.org
www.desoybeans.org