Chris Weaver of Carroll County set a new world record for no-till, non-irrigated soybeans with a yield of 156.73 bushels per acre in the Maryland Soybean Board’s inaugural Yield Contest.

The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural Maryland Soybean Yield Contest, recognizing outstanding soybean production across multiple growing systems during the 2025 growing season. The contest was designed to showcase the agronomic skill, innovation, and yield potential of Maryland soybean farmers while also generating valuable production data to help guide future soybean research and best management practices.

Chris Weaver of Carroll County captured the top honor in the full-season category with an extraordinary yield of 156.73 bushels per acre, setting a new world record for no-till, non-irrigated soybeans. Weaver planted First Choice Seed 4250XF on April 24, 2025, following a barley radish cover crop mix, demonstrating what is possible through disciplined management and conservation-focused farming practices.

Hutchison Brothers of Talbot County claimed top honors in the double-crop category with a yield of 70.60 bushels per acre, planted on June 28, 2025, following barley, using the Pioneer 37T51PR (Plenish) variety. Hutchison Brothers also earned recognition in the non-irrigated category, producing 76.96 bushels per acre with Pioneer 48A94PR (Plenish), planted on May 6, 2025, following corn with a barley-radish cover crop.

“This inaugural contest demonstrates just how much yield potential exists in Maryland soybean fields with sound agronomic management,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “Chris Weaver’s world-record-setting yield is especially noteworthy and puts Maryland soybean growers on the global stage. These results also show the productivity that can be achieved across both full-season and double-crop systems.”

Winners in each contest category will receive $1,000 in prize money and will be formally recognized at the Maryland Commodity Classic, scheduled for July 23, 2026, at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park in Centreville, Maryland, where growers from across the state will gather to celebrate achievements in Maryland’s grain and soybean industry.

The Maryland Soybean Yield Contest is funded by the soybean checkoff and is designed to promote knowledge-sharing, highlight best management practices, and support data-driven improvements in soybean production across the state. All reported yields were standardized in accordance with official contest rules. The Maryland Soybean Board congratulates all participating growers on a successful first year of the contest and looks forward to expanding the program in future seasons. For more information about the Maryland Soybean Board and the Maryland Soybean Yield Contest, visit www.mdsoy.com.

Maryland farmers grow about half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops.
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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

The Maryland Soybean Board is excited to announce the launch of its first-ever Maryland Soybean Yield Contest, a pilot program for the 2025 growing season designed to showcase the skill, innovation, and resilience of Maryland’s soybean farmers.

The new contest recognizes the top soybean yields in three categories—Full Season, Double Crop, and Dryland—while also gathering valuable production information to help all farmers learn from each other’s successes. Winners in each category will receive a $1,000 prize and be recognized at the Maryland Commodity Classic on July 23, 2026, at Queen Anne’s 4-H Park in Centreville, MD.

“This contest gives Maryland farmers the chance to be recognized for their achievements while helping us share innovative practices across the state,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “By celebrating high yields and good management, we’re also highlighting the importance of soybeans in Maryland agriculture.”

How It Works

• Farmers may enter one Full Season and one Double Crop
• Each contest plot must consist of two contiguous acres in one block.
• Harvest checks must be supervised by a University of Maryland Extension agent, USDA, or Soil Conservation District employee, who will measure, verify yields, and confirm official results.
• All entries must be harvested and submitted by December 15, 2025.

The contest is open to all Maryland soybean growers, including current Directors of the Maryland Soybean Board. Entry is $30 per field. Yields will be corrected to 13% moisture and 1% foreign matter, in accordance with USDA standards.

By entering, participants agree to share production details such as seed variety, planting date, crop protection methods, and fertility practices. This information will help the Maryland Soybean Board identify production trends and provide valuable insights to farmers across the state.

For more information, contest rules, or to enter online, visit www.mdsoy.com/yield-contest

Maryland farmers grow about half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. For more information on MSB, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is now accepting pre-proposals for 2026 soybean research projects, with submissions due by October 15, 2025.

Each year, MSB invests soybean checkoff dollars in research projects designed to improve profitability, production efficiency, and market opportunities for Maryland farmers. The Board’s current research priorities focus on two equal areas:

• Production Research – including variety development and trials, nematode resistance, weed and pest management, drought and irrigation strategies, cover crops, disease control, wildlife damage, and yield-enhancement products.
• Animal Agriculture – including soybean meal and oil use in livestock and aquaculture diets

“Research is one of the most important investments we make with checkoff dollars,” said MSB Research Committee Chair Shane King. “These pre-proposals give us a chance to see fresh ideas that can directly impact our farms—whether it’s through improving yields, protecting against pests, or expanding markets for our soybeans.”

Submission Guidelines

• Researchers must submit pre-proposals through the Maryland Soybean Board’s project management platform: mdsoy.com. No other method will be accepted.
• Access to the platform may be requested by contacting the Board’s Executive Director.
• Pre-proposals should be limited to a 2–3 sentence description of the research concept. This concise format allows the MSB Research Committee to evaluate the ideas quickly and determine whether to invite a full proposal.
• Please note: being invited to submit a full proposal does not guarantee funding.

Deadline

Pre-proposals are due October 15, 2025.

Project selections will be made by the farmer-leaders who volunteer their time to serve as Directors on the Board. MSB administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. It is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board.

Maryland farmers grow about half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. For more information on MSB, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

ANNAPOLIS, MD – June 10, 2025 – The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) last week announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This significant agreement, signed during the trade team’s visit to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, marks a commitment to foster greater cooperation and strengthen trade relations between Maryland’s soybean industry and Vietnamese partners.

This strategic MOU, effective June 6, 2025, through December 2027, builds on an existing strong trade relationship, specifically aiming to foster robust business linkages and mutual agricultural development centered on Maryland soybeans and soy-based products between Maryland and Vietnam.

“Exports to growing markets like Vietnam are incredibly valuable to Maryland’s soybean industry, providing crucial demand and strengthening farm profitability,” said Maryland Soybean Board Director Tyler Rill, who signed the MOU on behalf of the organization. “This MOU is a strategic step to further cultivate these essential trade relationships and expand opportunities for our farmers and the broader agricultural sector.”

Director General Duong Tat Thang of the Department of Animal Health and Production signed the MOU on behalf of Vietnam.

This initiative highlights the Maryland Soybean Board’s ongoing dedication to promoting the growth and sustainability of the state’s soybean industry, fostering international partnerships that expand access to vital markets and contribute to mutual agricultural development.

About the Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board directs the national soybean checkoff program within the state. MSB’s Board of Directors is made up of ten soybean farmers, each appointed for a three-year term, along with ex-officio members representing agribusiness, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the University of Maryland. Directors represent local soybean farmers as they serve on the board. The number of Directors serving each region is determined by the soybean production of the region.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com