DOVER, Del. — Delaware soybean growers are officially invited to put their best fields to the test as the Delaware Soybean Board opens registration for the 2026 Delaware Soybean Yield Contest. The annual competition, which has become a staple of the state’s agricultural calendar, is designed to recognize outstanding local agricultural yields while simultaneously gathering valuable agronomic data about the specific soybean varieties and management practices that perform best across the varied soils and microclimates of the First State.
To help streamline the official harvest check process and accommodate fields producing exceptionally large volumes, the Delaware Soybean Board has invested in a brand-new weigh wagon ahead of this year’s contest. This new piece of specialized equipment is expected to make official weight measurements significantly easier and more efficient, particularly for high-yielding fields where accurate and timely documentation is essential. By removing logistical bottlenecks at harvest time, organizers hope the equipment upgrade will encourage even greater participation from growers across all three counties.
Tim Rogers, chair of the Delaware Soybean Board, emphasized that producers of all scales should consider throwing their hats into the ring, noting that entering the contest is often its own reward. "Sometimes the winning entry is simply the one that shows up," Rogers said, highlighting the accessibility of the competition. "With prizes available across multiple categories, we encourage every Delaware soybean grower with a strong field to enter."
The statewide contest is structured to recognize excellence across several distinct divisions, ensuring that different farming systems and operational strategies are fairly evaluated. Categories include non-irrigated, double-crop, and full-season divisions, with honors awarded at both the statewide and county levels. Organizers point out that in previous years, several award categories have gone entirely unclaimed simply because no eligible entries were submitted for those specific divisions. This unique dynamic means that a grower does not necessarily need to achieve a historic, record-setting yield to walk away with official recognition and cash prize money; sometimes, simply having a valid entry in an uncontested or lightly contested division is enough to secure a win.
Beyond the competitive spirit and potential prizes, the contest serves a vital scientific and educational purpose for the broader agricultural community. The results compiled from the participating fields provide deep and useful insight into the production strategies, fertilizer regimens, pest management techniques, and seed selections that are actively helping Delaware farmers increase their overall yields and improve profitability under local growing conditions. By participating, individual growers contribute valuable, real-world data that can benefit soybean production throughout the state, offering fellow farmers a roadmap for success in upcoming planting seasons.
Growers interested in learning more about the competition guidelines, reviewing official rules, or submitting their fields for evaluation can visit the Delaware Soybean Board’s website at desoybeans.org/yield-contest. Alternatively, interested parties may contact Contest Coordinator Steve Breeding directly by phone at 302-381-6129 or via email at the designated board contact address.
About the Delaware Soybean Yield Contest
Established in 2012 and administered annually by the Delaware Soybean Board, the Delaware Soybean Yield Contest was created to capture and analyze the specific agronomic practices used by local producers to achieve high soybean yields, while simultaneously celebrating the hard work and dedication of the growers behind those impressive results. Over the years, the competition has tracked steady advancements in regional farming techniques and seed technology.
The benchmark for the competition remains high, with the current all-time contest record held by Blaine Hitchens of Sussex County. Hitchens etched his name into the record books by achieving an astonishing yield of 106.68 bushels per acre, demonstrating the immense agricultural potential of Delaware soils when optimal weather, management, and genetics align. Any agricultural producer with a contest field located entirely within the borders of Delaware is eligible to participate in the program.
— Delaware Soybean Board
