Alabama Farm Credit delivers prizes to Alabama Corn Yield Contest winners

CULLMAN, Ala. – Eighteen Alabama farmers have a new tool of the trade after placing first, second or third in the 2020 Alabama Corn Yield Contest.

Each farmer received a 5-gallon Yeti LoadOut bucket — a durable, food-safe hauler. The top winner in each of six production categories also received a $50 Visa gift card.

Alabama Farm Credit staff members recently delivered the prizes across the state.

“We are proud to partner with the Alabama Soybean and Corn Association to reward these row crop farmers for their dedication and hard work,” said Mel Koller, Alabama Farm Credit chief executive officer. “We are especially proud of our Alabama Farm Credit members who won and placed in the contest.”

The state contest is part of the National Corn Yield Contest, held by the National Corn Growers Association. It recognizes farmers who excel by using modern seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices.

“Doing a yield check is like taking your temperature to see how you’re doing,” says Mark Hall, Alabama Corn and Soybean Association executive director. “It takes concerted effort for farmers to improve their overall yield and profitability. This helps them know what works and what doesn’t.”

One state winner ranked among the top growers in the country. Chad Henderson of Madison had the highest conventional irrigated corn yield in Alabama and the fourth highest in the nation.

Up to 80% of the corn in Alabama is grown north of Cullman, Hall says. Of the 18 winners, 15 were in North Alabama and three were in Central and South Alabama.

Farmers entered the state contest last summer, then harvested and weighed their corn under the watch of a supervisor. The state’s top corn yields ranged from 200.629 to 320.081 bushels per acre. 

The list of winners and their yields is posted at www.alabamasoycorn.org/yield-contest/.

Alabama Farm Credit is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of customer-owned lending cooperatives. It provides financing for farms, timber and forestry operations, agribusinesses, country homes, recreational land, barndominium loans, equestrian property loans, and other rural property. The lender serves 27 North Alabama counties and has branch offices in Albertville, Athens, Cullman, Talladega and Tuscumbia.

Prize Winners

Amanda Stanton, Alabama Farm Credit senior loan officer in Cullman, presents prizes to Cullman County corn grower Ben Haynes. Haynes was the top winner in his production category in the 2020 Alabama Corn Yield Contest.

Amanda Stanton, Alabama Farm Credit senior loan officer in Cullman, presents prizes to Cullman County corn grower Ben Haynes. Haynes was the top winner in his production category in the 2020 Alabama Corn Yield Contest.