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Petersburg Today
By the People, for the People
Petersburg Farmer Wins National Corn Yield Award
Jared Brown's 302.8 bushels per acre crop sets new record.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:03am
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A prestigious national award recognizes the exceptional corn yields achieved by a dedicated Illinois farmer.Petersburg TodayJared Brown, a farmer from Petersburg, Illinois, won a national award in the 2025 National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest with a yield of 302.8 bushels per acre growing DeKalb DKC68-35RIB Brand Blend in the Nitrogen Management Class. DeKalb corn secured 16 of 27 national awards, the most of any single brand in the competition.
Why it matters
The National Corn Yield Contest is a prestigious annual competition that recognizes the top corn producers in the United States. Winning this award highlights Brown's exceptional farming practices and the high-performing genetics of the DeKalb brand, which has become a leader in the industry.
The details
Brown's record-breaking yield of 302.8 bushels per acre was achieved by growing DeKalb DKC68-35RIB Brand Blend corn and utilizing advanced nitrogen management techniques. DeKalb, a leading corn seed brand, had an impressive showing in the contest, securing 16 of the 27 national awards, the most of any single brand. In total, 248 state-level honors went to DeKalb farmers, including 98 first-place finishes, and 152 DeKalb entries topped the 300-bushel-per-acre mark.
- The 2025 National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest took place in 2025.
- The winners were recognized at the annual yield winner banquet on February 24, 2026, held in conjunction with Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas.
The players
Jared Brown
A farmer from Petersburg, Illinois, who won a national award in the 2025 National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest with a yield of 302.8 bushels per acre.
DeKalb
A leading corn seed brand that secured 16 of the 27 national awards in the 2025 National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest, the most of any single brand.
Dipal Chaudhari
The brand lead for DeKalb, who congratulated Jared Brown on his exceptional results and attributed DeKalb's impressive yield contest performance to the brand's exclusive genetics and the partnership between field teams, seed dealers, and growers.
What they’re saying
“We congratulate Jared for delivering exceptional results this season.”
— Dipal Chaudhari, Brand lead for DeKalb
“We're grateful for the confidence farmers place in DeKalb and proud to support their success year after year.”
— Dipal Chaudhari, Brand lead for DeKalb
What’s next
The 2026 National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest will take place later this year, and farmers will be eager to see if Jared Brown can defend his title and if DeKalb can continue its dominance in the competition.
The takeaway
This award highlights the importance of innovative farming practices, high-performing crop genetics, and the strong partnerships between seed companies, dealers, and growers in achieving record-breaking corn yields. It showcases the ongoing advancements in the agriculture industry and the dedication of farmers like Jared Brown to push the boundaries of what's possible.
