The Michigan Wheat Program, Michigan State University, Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and the University of Guelph have announced the winners of the 2023-2024 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) competition. The competition is the culmination of their work over the past year.

The Great Lakes YEN was established in 2021 as a partnership between the organizations on both sides of the border to improve crop returns of winter wheat through greater understanding of crop performance and increased collaboration between industry and farmers. The data-heavy program allows for growers to enter and track information on their crop and at year end, see how they rank amongst their peers with a 30-plus page report that details information to keep them making gains in wheat production.

The winners of the highest yield are:

1. Nick Suwyn (Wayland, Mich.) – 171.9 bushels/acre 

2. Jeffery Krohn (Elkton, Mich.) – 170.1 bushels/acre

3. John Kilbourne (Mount Brydges, Ontario) – 160.2 bushels/acre

“Farmers greatly appreciate the knowledge and insights related to the potential of winter wheat and enhancing yield. The Great Lakes YEN has provided us with valuable data regarding yields and more,” says Paul Hoekstra, vice president, strategic development, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Grain Farmers of Ontario is thrilled with the achievements of the Great Lakes YEN. We extend our congratulations to the winners and look forward to what the future holds in subsequent years of the Great Lakes YEN.”

The YEN also recognizes growers’ percentage of possible yield achieved. The variables in this calculation are capture of light energy; conversion efficiency; harvest index and capture of all available water. The winners of the Great Lakes YEN competition for the highest yield potential include:

1. Jeffery Krohn (Elkton, Mich.) – 155 percent

2. Tim Layton (Charleston, Mo.) – 105.2 percent

3. Rich D’Arcy (Kingston, Mich.) – 105.1 percent

Great Lakes YEN participants continue to show that attention to detail when it comes to winter wheat management pays off, with this year’s average yield across all participants reaching over 115 bushels per acre. With delayed soybean maturity in the fall of 2023 and persistent rainfall, planting of winter wheat in much of the region was delayed into October. Despite the delayed planting, a mild winter resulted in early green up and excellent winter survival. Growers faced challenges with making timely fertilizer and crop protection applications due to persistent rainfall throughout the growing season. Increased insect and disease pressure was observed across the region as the season progressed. Despite a challenging growing season, harvest was early in much of the region and grain quality was generally good.

With four project years now completed, the Great Lakes YEN project has been instrumental in fostering knowledge exchange among farmers seeking innovative methods to enhance their winter wheat yields. This year’s Great Lakes YEN project participants will come together in January and February for wrap-up meetings, providing them with a valuable opportunity to connect and share successful farming practices with their peers.

“Yield increases and percentage of yield achieved are great monitors for farmers to track their gains in winter wheat production,” said Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director of the Michigan Wheat Program. “The detailed, written reports that are compiled and sent to growers provide valuable information on the more than 200 data points they enter on their wheat crop during the growing season. Through reviewing those reports to see how their farm stacks up and by participating in our grower networking opportunities, farmers are able to share what works on their farms to enhance their winter wheat yields and decide what they may want to try next year to boost it even more. The Great Lakes YEN is all about gathering data, sharing information and networking with others to grow the best wheat.”

A program of this caliber would not be possible without the support of sponsors. The sponsors for the 2023-2024 YEN program for the US are:  Mennel Milling, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, King Milling, Eastman, Star of the West, Ardent Mills, Michigan Ag Commodities, Mosaic, Chelsea Milling, Coop Elevator and Knappen Milling.

Farmers interested in participating in the 2024-2025 Great Lakes YEN are encouraged to visit https://greatlakesyen.com/how-to-participate/ for more information. 

Registration for the program will be opening soon and will close January 31, 2025.