Winter wheat contest winner nets 173 bu/ac

GUELPH — London’s Jeff Cook posted the highest winter wheat yield among Ontario and Michigan growers who took part in the 2022-2023 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network competition.

Cook captured top spot with 173 bu/ac, followed by Michigan producers Nick Suwyn (171.43 bu/ac) and Jeffery Krohn (167.1 bu/ac). Average yield in the competition was 118 bu/ac, up 2 bu/ac from a year earlier.

This year’s winter wheat yields were higher than anticipated, according to event organizers. Competitors took the average yield from the field they entered in the competition.

Now in its third year, the competition is intended to foster enhanced winter wheat yields. It’s a joint initiative of the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Michigan State University, Michigan Wheat Program, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the University of Guelph. 

Farmers interested in participating in the fourth annual competition should visit greatlakesyen.com/how-to-participate and watch the hashtag #GreatLakesYEN 

Registration opens Dec. 4, 2023, and closes Feb. 2, 2024.  A $300 fee (paid in the currency of the participant’s home country) applies for each field registered in the program. Ontario participation is capped at 125 participants in 2024.