National Sorghum Producers Announces 2026 Yield Contest

Growers can enter East and West regional divisions across Irrigated, Dryland No-Till and Dryland Tillage categories.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium sorghum grains, stalks, and seeds on a clean, monochromatic background. The objects are lit with dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the pursuit of excellence in sorghum production.The National Sorghum Yield Contest celebrates the innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of higher yields among the industry's top growers.Lubbock Today

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) is now accepting entries for the 2026 National Sorghum Yield Contest. State and national winners will be selected from contestants in East and West regions across the Irrigated, Dryland No-Till and Dryland Tillage divisions, with one overall winner chosen in the Food Grade category. Growers have the option to choose between a market-based verification or traditional on-farm verification protocol.

Why it matters

The National Sorghum Yield Contest aims to increase grower yields, transfer knowledge between producers, and identify top-performing sorghum growers at the state and national levels. It's an important annual event that recognizes innovation and pushes the boundaries of sorghum production.

The details

The entry deadline for the 2026 National Sorghum Yield Contest is November 24, 2026. Harvest report forms will be available beginning May 1, 2026, and all completed forms must be received at the NSP office no later than December 2, 2026. To enter, contestants must be members of NSP, and more than one member of a family may enter, but each participant must hold an individual membership. National and state winners will be recognized at the 2027 Commodity Classic.

  • The entry deadline for the 2026 National Sorghum Yield Contest is November 24, 2026.
  • Harvest report forms will be available beginning May 1, 2026.
  • All completed forms must be received at the NSP office no later than December 2, 2026.
  • National and state winners will be recognized at the 2027 Commodity Classic.

The players

National Sorghum Producers

A national organization that represents sorghum growers and promotes the sorghum industry.

Tim Lust

The CEO of National Sorghum Producers.

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What they’re saying

“This contest is about more than just yield—it's about recognizing innovation, sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sorghum production.”

— Tim Lust, CEO, National Sorghum Producers

What’s next

The 2027 Commodity Classic, where the national and state winners will be recognized, is the next major event related to this story.

The takeaway

The National Sorghum Yield Contest is an important annual event that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and the pursuit of higher sorghum yields among growers. By offering flexible verification options and recognizing top performers, the contest helps drive progress in the sorghum industry.