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