Dedication. Adaptability. Collaboration. Hard work. 

Those traits are rewarded and honored each year as the National Corn Growers Association crowns the season’s National Corn Yield Contest winners. From that group comes the AgriGold Yield Masters™ — those who won using AgriGold products for outstanding performance in the fields. These are the farmers who weathered the year’s challenges and whose harvests stood out above all others.

This year, AgriGold farmers achieved 15 NCGA state placements (from eight different states) and one national placement across five production categories.

Brandon Cardinal, from Oaktown, Indiana, earned third-place national honors with his 344.69 BPA yield on no-till, irrigated soil. He won using A646-30. Brandon is a prime example of a farmer who used best-in-class genetics to maximize the results on his operation.

“The NCGA contest is a great opportunity for farmers across the U.S. to push limits, achieve fantastic results and showcase to their fellow farmers what’s possible,” said Casey McGuire, AgriGold brand manager. “We love working alongside farmer customers who want to enter the contest, helping them get the right product on the right acre for optimal performance. AgriGold is thrilled to celebrate another year of customer success across many states and multiple categories.”

Through cutting-edge genetics and agronomic partnerships, AgriGold consistently delivers outstanding product performance. Six corn hybrids were represented in the NCGA winners, including top performer A643-52, which boosted farmers to victory in three different states (Alabama, Illinois and Louisiana). 

“AgriGold is a brand with a long legacy of leading performance,” said Kristen Thomas-Garriott, AgReliant Genetics national agronomy lead. “I’m continually impressed by this elite class of growers and what they do to take our products to their maximum potential. It’s truly inspiring to see what can be accomplished when industry-leading genetics are combined with practices and people that push the envelope.”

For a more detailed look at that group pushing the envelope, see all the state and national winners below.

Alabama — 3 State Winners

• Spencer Sanderson from Madison, AL 
  • Category: No-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A645-16VT2PRO
  • Yield: 297.0 
• Stuart Sanderson from Madison, AL
  • Category: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A645-16VT2PRO
  • Yield: 309.7
• Chad Henderson from Madison, AL
  • Category: Conventional Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A643-52VT2
  • Yield: 310.8

Florida — 4 State Winners

• Danielle Hall from Jennings, FL
  • Category: Conventional Non-Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A643-52VT2
  • Yield: 220.2
• Dusty Cone from Jennings, FL
  • Category: No-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A6659VT2PRO
  • Yield: 276.5
• Ethan Cone from Jennings, FL
  • Category: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A6659VT2PRO
  • Yield: 271.3
• Gary Cone from Jennings, FL
  • Category: Conventional Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A6659VT2PRO
  • Yield: 266.9

Georgia — 1 State Winner

• Logan Poppell from Jesup, GA
  • Category: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A6659VT2PRO
• Yield: 195.7 

Illinois — 2 State Winners

•  Dan Luepkes from Chana, IL
  • Category: No-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A641-85STXRIB
  • Yield: 319.8
• David Lupekes from Chana, IL
  • Category: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A643-52VT2RIB
  • Yield: 308.2

Indiana — 2 State Winners

• Brandon Cardinal from Oaktown, IN
  • Category: No-Till Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A646-30VT2RIB
  • Yield: 344.7 (*3rd place national rank)

• Brooks Cardinal from Oaktown, IN
  • Category: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated 
  • Hybrid: A647-79VT2RIB
  • Yield: 339.6

Kentucky — 1 State Winner

• Dennis Mckay from Owensboro, KY
  • Category: Conventional Irrigated 
  • Hybrid: A645-16VT2RIB
  • Yield: 298.8

Louisiana — 1 State Winner

• Russ Perkins from Oak Grove, LA
  • Category: Conventional Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A643-52VT2
  • Yield: 254.0

Mississippi — 1 State Winner

• Anna Hurt from Senatobia, MS
  • Category: Conventional Non-Irrigated
  • Hybrid: A6659VT2PRO
  • Yield: 263.2498

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Those who earn the Yield Master title are characterized by their willingness to take risks, try new products and work side-by-side with their AgriGold team to achieve the greatest results.

Performance matters. To maximize yours, reach out to your local AgriGold agronomist to strategize how to get the most from your acres next season.