By Blake Jackson
Lancaster County farmer A. Dale Herr, Jr. claimed the top spot in the 2024 Pennsylvania Soybean Yield competition, setting a new contest record with an impressive 117.30 bushels per acre.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board, the competition recognizes the best soybean growers across five regions in the state.
Herr’s record-breaking yield topped over 30 contestants and earned him the title of State Overall Champion, as well as the South-Central Region winner.
Other regional winners included Brad Kiefer from Northampton County (Southeastern Region) with 100.54 bushels per acre, Eric Myers from Franklin County (Central Region) with 88.21 bushels per acre, John Tebbs from Lycoming County (Northern Region) with 102.18 bushels per acre, and Ricky Telesz from Lawrence County (Western Region) with 86.31 bushels per acre.
In the Irrigated Class, Steve Chapin from Columbia County topped the competition with 85.06 bushels per acre.
The 2024 season presented both challenges and opportunities for growers. While mid- and late-summer rains helped many farmers, a dry summer led to fewer farms competing, with 33 entries this year compared to 2023.
Despite the dry conditions, six farms surpassed the 100-bushel-per-acre threshold, with four from the South-Central Region, one from the Southeastern Region, and one from the Northern Region.
The growing season was marked by a cool April and generally average temperatures, though temperatures were five to 15 percent higher overall, with early spring and fall seeing the most significant increases.
Harvest weather was favorable, but soybean dry-down was delayed due to the wet first half of September. Strong wheat prices led many farmers to plant wheat after harvesting their soybeans.
Herr’s crop was planted on April 27 using a no-till drill with Pioneer P35Z76E variety. His field received 17 inches of rain from planting to harvest, slightly above the state’s average.
As the state winner, Herr will receive an educational trip for two to the Commodity Classic, where he and regional winners will have the chance to network and learn more about the soybean industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-gilaxia
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Crops, Soybeans