Local grower Gary Ockels is state winner in National Corn Yield Contest
Milton farmer Gary Ockels has been named a state winner in the National Corn Growers Association 2012 Corn Yield Contest.
Ockels is recognized for being one of the top-yielding competitors in the state. He placed first in the Irrigated category with his DEKALB DKC61-71 brand, yielding an impressive 283.2 bushels per acre. He also placed first in the No-Till/Strip Till Irrigated category with DEKALB DKC61-71 brand, yielding 272.8 bushels per acre.
“We’re very happy to have placed first in the state,” said Ockels. “Despite it being a dry season, the standability with DKC61-71 brand was near perfect. We’ve been planting DEKALB for 25 years.”
The local grower was one of 421 state winners nationwide. The 2012 contest had 8,263 entries from 46 states. Of the state winners, 18 growers - three from each of six classes - were named national winners, representing 13 states.
“Despite the fact that 2012 was a challenging production year, individual growers continued to provide a showcase for American production agriculture,” said NCGA Chairman Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill.
“That’s why this contest and its focus on safe, advanced corn production methods are so important,” Niemeyer said. “The top yield in this year’s contest - a tremendous 384.4 bushels per acre achieved by David Hula of Charles City, Va., - is a testament to these efforts.”
Farmers are encouraged through the contest to utilize new, efficient production techniques.
The winners were recognized March 1 at the 2013 Commodity Classic - the premier convention and trade show of the U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat industries - held in Kissimmee, Fla. For a complete list of winners and for more information about NCYC, visit www.ncga.com.
