News  Agriculture  Crops

Corn Growers Launch Annual Yield Contest with New Short-Season Corn Class

National Corn Growers First VP Matt Frostic joins us to discuss their 62nd annual yield contest, the new short-season corn pilot class, and what farmers can expect as the season gets underway.

May 05, 2026 05:07 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF

APPLEGATE, MICHIGAN (RFD NEWS) — As the planting season picks up, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is launching its 62nd annual yield contest, with a new addition this year aimed at expanding participation.

NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share details on the contest and what farmers can expect.

In his interview with RFD News, Frostic discussed key information about this year’s yield contest, including the introduction of a new pilot class focused on short-season corn and the parameters surrounding that category. He also highlighted past success stories and feedback from participants over the years.

Finally, Frostic shared an update on the current conditions at his corn operation in Michigan, along with his outlook for the growing season ahead.

LEARN MORE & ENTER THE CONTEST: www.ncga.com/get-involved/yield-contest

Related Stories
prairie wildfire producing voluminous, billowing smoke
Sustainability
Forest Service Tests ‘Operation Sky Hammer’ to Strengthen Wildfire Response
Nebraska cattle rancher Joe Van Newkirk joins us to discuss wildfire recovery in Nebraska’s Sandhills athe challenges ranchers face restoring basic infrastructure after the fire.
May 04, 2026 02:02 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
sI3nST7I.jpg
Crops
Winter Wheat Quality Declines While Weather Uncertainty Supports Corn, Soybean Prices
Seasonal pricing strength is lining up with crop stress, giving wheat producers another weather-driven marketing window. Shaun Haney joins us to discuss concerns from ag bankers on farm profitability.
May 04, 2026 12:44 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
cherry blossoms cherry trees washington dc_adobe stock.png
U.S. Farm Bill
Farm Bill Advances as Lawmakers Stress Need for Stability in Ag Policy
In an exclusive interview with RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) expresses frustration with delays and increasing political divisions surrounding the bill.
May 04, 2026 11:45 AM
 · 
Frank McCaffrey
Crop Progress Graphic
Agriculture
RFD-TV Weekly Crop Progress and Livestock Production Regional Update — Monday, May 4, 2026
Spring Fieldwork Advances As Weather Stays Uneven
May 04, 2026 10:19 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
Model house with a bunch of paperwork and person signing a document in the background
Business
Farm Prices Received Rose in March, But Margins Stayed Tight
March brought better prices for several commodities, but rising fuel and feed costs kept margins under pressure.
May 03, 2026 12:00 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Aerial view of a container ship in export and import business and logistics. Shipping cargo to the harbor by crane. Photo by MAGNIFIER via Adobe Stock.
Trade
Corn Export Sales Lead Weekly Report as Soybeans Slow, Cotton Stays Strong
Corn and cotton gave the strongest signals this week, while soybean demand remained softer than in the previous report.
May 02, 2026 07:00 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Load More

Spring Planting Harvesting Corn
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

CLAAS tractor aerial_Photo By Countrypixel via AdobeStock_397730636.png
FarmTech
Purdue Long-Term Farm Study Finds Precision Ag ROI Not Guaranteed Across Operations
Chad Fiechter joins us to discuss Purdue’s precision ag study, challenges in capturing value from technology, and what farmers should consider when investing in and adopting these tools.
April 30, 2026 04:40 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Ethanol gasoline fuel nozzle and corn kernels. Biofuel, agriculture and fuel price concept
Energy
Slower Ethanol Production Offset by Export Surge and Steady Demand Signals
Ethanol demand held together last week, but lower production and thinner stocks put more focus on export strength. Production capacity is also strengthening over time and benefiting soybean farmers.
April 30, 2026 01:38 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
LMGaCAdV.jpg
Trade
AFBF Economist: USDA Efforts to Boost Fertilizer Supply Will Not Ease Short-Term Price Pressure on Farmers
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum discusses USDA’s efforts to expand fertilizer capacity, signals for farm profitability, and AFBF’s Farm Bill expectations.
April 30, 2026 01:22 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
farm bill new.PNG
U.S. Farm Bill
U.S. House Passes Farm Bill with 224-200 Vote, Now Heads to Senate for Debate
Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt joins us to discuss House passage of the Farm Bill, its potential impact on farm profitability and stability, key policy compromises, and the outlook for Senate consideration.
April 30, 2026 11:18 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
All Eyes On Washington.jpg
U.S. Farm Bill
House Farm Bill Debate Moves into Second Day After Long Night of Amendment Work
The farm bill is still moving, but the toughest amendment fights were pushed into today’s session. ASA President Scott Metzger joins us to discuss the risks of tariff actions on soybean exports, concerns over trade policy and production costs, and the importance of Farm Bill updates.
April 30, 2026 10:22 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
w7gVXZaw.jpg
FarmTech
Purdue Students Transform Soybeans into $20K-Winning Tape
The Purdue student team joins us to discuss how they developed Soy-Seal, their innovative soybean-based adhesive tape, and its potential ag impact.
April 29, 2026 03:33 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
Load More
Agriculture Shows
Kevin Kalb shows off his Corn King championship ring
Two cowboys on horseback, and a dog, driving a herd of cattle to a new pasture.
AmericasHeartland_21101498-g.jpg
TheAmericanRancher_HdrGrphcSANSLogo_r20250404_1280x720.jpg
Corn Warriors
This high-yield corn contest showcases real-life Corn Warriors dealing with elements that every farmer knows well. Get an authentic look at what it takes to compete in a high-yield corn contest, and see who will take the title of Corn King.
Cattlemen to Cattlemen
As the trusted voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry, the National Cattlemen Beef Association strives to share timely, relevant news. NCBA’s “Cattlemen to Cattlemen” is the leading TV show for beef producers to receive cattle industry news, education, and information.
America’s Heartland
America’s Heartland brings positive, heartfelt stories about American agriculture to viewers in both urban and rural areas.
American Rancher
Hosted by Pam Minick, “The American Rancher” focuses on the people and places that make ranching an American lifestyle. This half-hour magazine format series features livestock producers and their ranches, animals, and ranching practices.