2025 entries make history in Kansas soybean yield and value contests

KANSAS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

After a roller coaster growing season, harvest revealed good news for soybean farmers. The Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests saw historic results, including a staggering new yield record and the highest number of qualifiers for the 100 Bushel Club in contest history. In addition to providing a snapshot of the growing year, these contests encourage friendly competition and learning from peers. A total of 63 unique entries were submitted, with 36 for value analysis and 37 for yield placement.

McClain Family Farms of Phillips County broke the yield record for the second year in a row to win the yield contest with a stunning 144.5 bushels per acre. In only two years, McClain has raised the record by more than 30 bushels. McClain’s Channel 2823RFX soybeans were entered in the Statewide No-Till, Irrigated division of the contest.

Stewart Family Farms LLC of Washington County won the dryland portion of the yield contest, also successfully defending their title from last year. Their Pioneer 40Z57E soybeans produced 111.7 bushels per acre, earning Stewart’s first entry into the 100 Bushel Club.

Lyle Longenecker of Dickinson County came out on top in the value contest with Beck’s 1888 soybeans that earned a $1.10 premium over cash value. Longenecker has been a long-time participant, winning his fourth first-place title this year.

The 100 Bushel Club recognizes progress in Kansas soybean farming. Since the first 100-bushel entry in 2017, the number of qualifying producers has steadily grown. This year’s six honorees include three dryland entries and three repeat members. 2025 100 Bushel Club members are:

1.  McClain Family Farms, Phillips County — 2nd time member
2.  Chad Penner, McPherson County — 3rd time member
3. Stewart Family Farms LLC, Washington County
4. Ryan Stewart, Washington County
5. Robbie Yost, Gray County — 2nd time member
6. Oltjen Farms, Brown County

The purpose of these awards is not only to recognize outstanding soybean producers, but also to learn from them. The published results include inputs used and other production information like row width and seeding rate, all organized by region so farmers can see what has worked in their area. These results can be found on the Yield and Value Contests page of the Kansas Soybean website.

Entries for irrigated soybeans fall into a statewide no-till or conventional-till division, while dryland entries are separated into eight regions. The results for the 2025 Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests are as follows.

Statewide – Conventional Till, Irrigated

1. Chad Penner, McPherson County — 118.0 bushels per acre
2. Andrew Ellis, Norton County — 91.4 bushels per acre
3. Jacob Fritschi, Marshall County — 91.1 bushels per acre

Statewide – No-Till, Irrigated

1. McClain Family Farms, Phillips County — 144.5 bushels per acre
2. Robbie Yost, Gray County — 105.3 bushels per acre
3. Grimm Bros Inc., Brown County — 84.6 bushels per acre

North-Northeast – No-Till, Dryland

1. David Olson, Brown County — 93.7 bushels per acre
2. Olson Family Farms, Brown County — 91.5 bushels per acre
3. Robert Henry, Brown County — 82.9 bushels per acre

North-Northeast – Conventional Till, Dryland

1.  Oltjen Farms, Brown County — 100.5 bushels per acre

Northeast – No-Till, Dryland

1. John C. Koelzer, Pottawatomie County — 95.3 bushels per acre
2. Menold Bros Inc., Brown County — 87.1 bushels per acre
3. Blythe Farms, Shawnee County — 83.9 bushels per acre

Northeast – Conventional Till, Dryland

1. Vering Land & Pork Inc., Marshall County — 87.1 bushels per acre
2. Grimm Bros Inc., Brown County — 84.1 bushels per acre
3.  Arganbright Farms, Marshall County — 74.4 bushels per acre

North Central – Conventional Till, Dryland

1. Stewart Family Farms LLC, Washington County — 111.7 bushels per acre

North Central – No-Till, Dryland

1. Ryan Stewart, Washington County — 105.8 bushels per acre
2. Gregg Sexton, Dickinson County — 74.9 bushels per acre

Northwest – No-Till, Dryland

1. Lauren Kats, Phillips County — 41.3 bushels per acre

East Central – No-Till, Dryland

1.  Meats Land & Cattle Inc., Coffey County — 88.4 bushels per acre
2. RNL Inc., Coffey County — 87.7 bushels per acre
3. Sowder Farms, Coffey County — 85.3 bushels per acre

Southeast – Conventional Till, Dryland

1. Hudson Farms, Neosho County — 80.8 bushels per acre
2. E&H Kepley Farms LLC, Neosho County — 77.7 bushels per acre

Southeast – No-Till, Dryland

1. Bradley McVey, Wilson County — 82.9 bushels per acre
2. Bradford Grain, Wilson County — 79.6 bushels per acre 
3. Rick Nelson Farms, Allen County — 69.5 bushels per acre

South Central – Conventional Till, Dryland

1. Don Applegate, Sumner County — 59.6 bushels per acre

South Central – No-Till, Dryland

1. Aaron Pauly, Sedgwick County — 93.8 bushels per acre

Value Contest

The Value Contest analyzes a 20-ounce sample of soybeans and calculates a premium-over-cash-value price based on protein and oil content and other value-added qualities.  

1. Lyle Longenecker, Dickinson County — $1.10 premium over cash value
2. Jacob Neill, Atchison County — $1.05 premium over cash value
3. Kendall Heiniger, Brown County — $1.00 premium over cash value

Placement prizes are set to be awarded at the annual Kansas Soybean Celebration January 30 in Salina. The Kansas Soybean Commission and Kansas Soybean Association thank FMC for their sponsorship of the contests and K-State Research and Extension and AGP for their assistance in conducting them. Full contest results are available at www.kansassoybeans.org/contests.