During National Agriculture Week, the Maryland Soybean Board is highlighting the important role animal agriculture plays in both Maryland’s economy and the healthy food choices available to consumers.

Agriculture is Maryland’s number one industry, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing billions of dollars to the state’s economy. Poultry, beef, pork, and aquaculture production are key parts of that success, helping provide nutritious, affordable food for families while supporting rural communities across the state.

Behind every chicken house, cattle pasture, hog barn, and oyster farm are Maryland soybean farmers who grow the crops used to feed those animals. Soybeans are one of the most important ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. When processed into soybean meal, they provide a high-quality protein source that helps animals grow and thrive. In fact, the poultry industry is the largest market for Maryland soybeans, underscoring the close connection between the state’s grain farmers and its animal agriculture sector.

With an estimated $17.4 billion economic impact across the Delmarva Peninsula, the poultry industry is the largest agricultural revenue driver for Maryland. Chicken growers across the Eastern Shore produce high-quality food enjoyed by families throughout the United States and around the world. Maryland soybean farmers are an important part of that system, growing crops that are processed into feed used to nourish those birds.

Animal agriculture is also an important part of a healthy diet. Foods like chicken, beef, pork, seafood, eggs, and dairy provide complete protein along with essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12—nutrients that support muscle development, energy, brain health, and overall wellness.

“Maryland’s soybean farmers are proud to grow the crops that help feed the animals producing food for our families,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “It’s a connection many consumers may not see, but it’s an important part of how our food system works.”

The partnership between grain farmers and animal producers supports a wide range of local businesses—from feed mills and equipment suppliers to transportation companies and veterinarians—helping strengthen rural communities and keep farmland in active production.

Many of Maryland’s farms have been family-owned for generations, with farmers working year-round to care for their land, grow crops responsibly, and raise animals that help feed people across the country.

“As we celebrate National Agriculture Week, it’s a great time to recognize the many farmers working together to produce the food we enjoy every day,” Boyle remarked.

Maryland farmers grow nearly 500,000 acres of soybeans each year, producing more than 20 million bushels annually. Valued at nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans rank among Maryland’s top crops and play an important role in supporting the state’s broader agricultural sector. The Maryland Soybean Board administers the soybean checkoff program in the state, investing in research, education, and market development to strengthen opportunities for Maryland soybean farmers. To learn more about the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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

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