An Idaho farmer from Rexburg has set a new record in the National Wheat Yield Contest with an impressive yield of 170.14 bushels per acre. Dallin Wilcox, in partnership with his father and uncles, took the top honors in the irrigated spring wheat category of the 2023 competition, after years of consistently placing among the top contenders.
Wilcox’s win is a testament to his dedication and commitment to pushing the boundaries of wheat production. He comes from a family that has made entering the contest an annual tradition, with his uncle Terry having previously claimed the title of Bin Buster in 2020. Inspired by his uncle’s success, Dallin started participating in 2017 and has been amazed by the outstanding performance of his crops.
The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) organizes the contest every year to encourage farmers to pursue high yields, exceptional quality, and profitable strategies through innovative management techniques. The event is highly regarded in the industry, with DTN/Progressive Farmer serving as the official media outlet.
For his award-winning yield, Wilcox opted to plant WestBred WB7589, a hard white spring wheat variety renowned for its suitability in irrigated environments. The variety boasts exceptional yield potential, protein content, and stripe rust tolerance, making it an ideal choice for high-performance farming. It also offers advantages such as excellent standability, test weight, and milling and baking quality.
Interestingly, this marks the third consecutive year that Wilcox has achieved national recognition with WestBred WB7589. In 2021, he secured second place with a yield of 147.65 bushels per acre and improved to first place with a yield of 160.63 bushels per acre the following year. This time, he has finally clinched the highly coveted Bin Buster title, awarded to the entry with the highest bushel-per-acre yield in each competitive category.
Reflecting on the growing season, Wilcox mentioned the challenges posed by a late spring due to lingering winter conditions. Nevertheless, the delay proved beneficial in preserving soil moisture for a strong start. However, the planting was still delayed by approximately three weeks compared to previous years. Wilcox utilized a Great Plains 3S-4000 drill for planting on May 5 and maintained a seeding rate of about 1.43 million seeds per acre on 6-inch row spacing. The seeds were coated with CruiserMaxx Vibrance, an innovative solution combining various fungicides and an insecticide.
Since the Wilcox family also cultivates potatoes, which have high nutrient demands, they prioritize soil fertility management throughout their crop rotation. The wheat crop followed the potato harvest, allowing it to benefit from any residual fertility in the soil. Pre-plant applications of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur were implemented, with additional nitrogen provided through starter fertilizer at planting and irrigation.
Due to the arid climate of the Snake River Plain region, where the Wilcox farm is located, irrigation plays a crucial role in sustaining crop production. With an average annual precipitation of less than 13 inches, water management is essential. Consequently, Wilcox applied approximately 10 inches of water to his wheat crop during the growing season.
Wilcox’s remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration for wheat growers across the nation. His success highlights the importance of selecting the right crop variety, implementing effective management strategies, and embracing innovation in pursuit of higher yields. As the National Wheat Yield Contest continues to push the boundaries of wheat production, the agricultural community eagerly anticipates future breakthroughs and outstanding performances from farmers like Dallin Wilcox.
