Seed Genetics Direct, the Eastern Corn Belt's fastest-growing independent seed company, recently announced the winners of their annual Wheat Yield Contest. Randy Leib out of Prospect, Oh earned top spot with a first-place finish of 117.64 bushels per acre yield. Placing second was NS Farm Service of Columbus Grove, Oh. with a yield of 116.86 bushels per acre. Josh Eckstein of Sunman, In. earned third-place with a yield of 115.82 bushels per acre.

“We had several high-yielding entries!” said Todd Jeffries, vice president of Seed Genetics Direct. “While wheat yields were down across the board from last year, this was the first year that every entry we received was north of the 100-bushel mark.”

Randy Leib planted AGI 217B, which has been a yield monster in the Ohio Wheat Performance Trials, on October 10 at 135 pounds per acre. He harvested on June 28 with a test weight of 57.2.

Photo of Nathan and Steve Birkemeier (NS Farm Service), second-place wheat yield winner.

NS Farm Service planted AGI 114, a variety with an excellent disease package that is known to work across a variety of soils. NS planted 1.5 million seeds per acre on Oct. 18 and harvested on June 28. Eckstein planted AGI 217B at 100 pounds per acre on Oct. 20 and harvested on June 19.

All winners will receive free seed in amounts ranging from $1,000-$2,500, as well as free herbicide in amounts from $1,000-$2,500.

Photo of Josh Eckstein third place wheat yield winner

Seed Genetics Direct, located in Jeffersonville, Ohio, is again offering both AGI 217B and AGI 114 for the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons, as well as 2 returning and one new variety. The lineup includes bearded and smooth wheat from very early to medium-full maturity. Orders placed before Sept. 1 receive an additional $2 off per unit. A complete lineup, with pricing, is available by contacting Jeffries at toddj@seedgeneticsdirect.com.

2024 Wheat yield winners announced!