By Jamie Martin
The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) has named the winners of its 2025 National Wheat Yield Contest, announced during the annual fall meeting in Austin, Texas. Now in its tenth year, the event celebrates American wheat growers for their dedication to productivity, sustainability, and crop quality.
Since beginning in 2016, the contest has served as a learning platform for farmers nationwide. This year’s competition drew 465 entries, including 30 in the new Digital Yield pilot category. Farmers were recognized across four traditional 5-Acre categories and two digital yield divisions, representing diverse growing conditions.
“We are pleased to see winners from new states such as Wisconsin and Indiana as well as the traditional large wheat states like my home state-Montana. Congratulations to everyone who entered and completed the contest. It takes extra work and time, but it pays off in what is learned and then applied to raise productivity on our entire farm’s wheat acres,” said Gary Broyles, NWF Chairman (MT).
The 2025 results were exceptional, with new records achieved in two yield categories: 172.51 bushels per acre in Winter Dryland and 187.94 in Spring Irrigated.
Alongside yield performance, grain quality remains a central focus. Each national winner provides a 10-pound wheat sample for flour and end-use analysis. Testing is performed at top U.S. labs in Oregon and Kansas, following U.S. Wheat Associates’ quality protocols.
“We are learning that with the proper management, environment and variety selection these high yield growers can also achieve industry desired top-quality wheat. That is what the contest encourages everyone to do- strive for high yield, quality and profitability,” said Anne Osborne, NWF Executive Director.
NWF extended appreciation to sponsors such as John Deere, BASF, WestBred, and U.S. Wheat Associates for supporting this initiative, which continues to elevate excellence in American wheat production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: National