Hula Sets World Corn Yield Record with 623 Bushels

David Hula, a first generation farmer from Charles City, Va., set a new world corn yield record of 623.84 bushels per acre in the 2023 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) yield contest. Rising to the top of the irrigated strip-till category, Hula is the only farmer in the contest to exceed 600 bushels per acre, beating his previous 2019 record of 615.19 bushels per acre. His son, Craig Hula, managed the second-highest yield in the 2023 contest — and highest no-till yield — at 590.02 bushels per acre in the irrigated no-till category. 

No-Till & Cover Crops Reduce Prevent-Plant Risk

Data from the 2019 Conservation and Crop Insurance Research Pilot found that consistent use of cover crops and no-till results in a 24% reduction in the odds ratio of prevent-plant loss in 2019. These conservation practices lead to faster rainfall infiltration, erosion control and improved soil structure, and water holding capacity, minimizing the risk on insurance companies of prevent-plant loss claims. 

Fire, Electricity Dangerous Methods of Weed Management

Bryan Young, professor of weed science at Purdue, says that new weed management technologies may be dangerous and unrealistic in high residue no-till environments. Weed electrocution has the potential to set fields aflame because of the sparks that land on dry residue. Similarly, using flame weed control is a dangerous and potentially uncontrollable method of weed management, especially in dry conditions. While these technologies may be garnering some attention, it is not a…