Cape County's Cox Grain Farms wins state soybean contest

For the third time in four years, a Cape Girardeau County farmer has won the Missouri Soybean Association's high-yield contest.

Jerry Cox of Cox Grain Farms LLC, 3892 Bloomfield Road, just outside Cape Girardeau's city limits, earned the honor with an irrigated field that averaged just less than 103 bushels per acre. The state's average is 49 bushels per acre. According to the association, Cox planted a variety of Pioneer soybeans.

Cox said the award-winning field was part of his overall best soybean crop.

"The average this year was between 75 and 80 bushels. It was the best year we've ever had" he said. "The worst beans we had this year were 60 bushels [per acre], and I had to replant those because of some big, heavy rains. ... The beans right beside them made 80 bushels."

"The results of our annual Missouri Soybean Association yield contest exemplify the dedication of soybean farmers across the state," said Ronnie Russell, a farmer from Richmond, Missouri, and president of the Missouri Soybean Association. "Statewide, we had a pretty good growing season and contest submissions reflected both stewardship and attention to detail. I always enjoy the friendly competition this contest presents, as well."

Cox, a third-generation farmer, said he began entering yield contests as a way to improve his entire crop.

"We really push on a few acres to see what we can do," he explained. "That's one of the reasons I like to enter the contests."

He said deciding what portion of the farm's 1,500-acre crop to enter in such contests is an easy decision.

"I've been farming this ground since the '60s, and you know where you best land is. If you're going to enter a contest, you put it on your best dirt," he said. "We might do a little extra, but it's not something like we're doubling our input costs to try to get and extra five or 10 bushels to the acre."

Soybeans aren't the only calling card for Cox and his son, Matthew. The father and son grow corn, too. Well.

"I've probably had more success in the corn contests. I've entered those for a long time. The farm and farm family have won 25 national awards -- first, second or third," he said, noting such contests have various categories for the way the crop was grown.

His highest yield for a field of corn was 349 bushels.

As planting season approaches, Cox said he couldn't hazard a guess about this year's potential.

"Prices are much better than they have been in about seven years, but as to what kind of crop we'll have, who knows?"