Hay Springs Wheat Growers Are Winners of 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest
December 31, 2018
Vern and Brock Terrell of Prairie Sky Seed achieve winning yield with WestBred® wheat
ST. LOUIS (Jan. 2, 2019) – A father-son grower team from Hay Springs, Nebraska, have been recognized for achieving one of the highest 2018 wheat yields in the country. Vern and Brock Terrell have been named winners of the National Wheat Foundation’s 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest. They also won an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2019 Commodity Classic, courtesy of the National Wheat Foundation and WestBred® wheat.
The Terrells took fourth place nationally in the Winter Wheat - Irrigated category with WestBred variety WB4303, to which they attribute their award-winning yield of 106.72 Bu/A — a yield that is 188.43 percent above their county average. They not only grow wheat; they also supply Certified Seed (including WB4303) for Prairie Sky Seed to sell to other growers in the area.
“Wheat growers require high-performance varieties, ensuring they can continue to provide an abundant, quality crop,” says Dr. Jeff Koscelny, Global Wheat Commercial Strategy Lead and WestBred Wheat Business Lead. “Vern and Brock Terrell achieved one of the highest wheat yields in the country this year, and we’re proud that they did so with a WestBred variety. Their management practices resulted in an outstanding test weight of 61.5 pounds per bushel and 12 percent protein. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievement at Commodity Classic this winter.”
“We had a wet season, and lots of wheat went down in this area — but WB4303 never lodged,” Vern Terrell recalls. “It was bred to be a great irrigated wheat. I’d put it up against any variety we’ve ever grown.”
The National Wheat Yield Contest recognizes the top five growers in the sectors of Winter Wheat - Dryland, Winter Wheat - Irrigated, Spring Wheat - Dryland and Spring Wheat - Irrigated. Winners were determined by evaluating the yield percentage increase above the USDA NASS county Olympic averages. Only first-place state winners within each sector compete for the national award.
About WestBred Wheat
WestBred wheat provides seed suppliers and their growers access to the highest yield potential wheat seed, as well as testing, education, resources and experienced representatives to help maximize their yield potential.