Despite one of the most-challenging growing seasons ever, eight contestants in a contest sponsored by the South Dakota Corn Growers Association raised corn that yielded more than 270 bushels an acre.

For the second consecutive year, Scott McKee of Hawarden, Iowa had the highest yield in the contest at 291.82 bushels per acre on a South Dakota field near the Iowa border. State and district place winners in six categories will receive plaques.

Spring rains and flooding delayed planting throughout much of the state and prevented many fields from being planted at all. In addition, standing water, cool weather, hail and green snap took a toll on yields. Harvest was also delayed. The yield contest still drew a solid number of entries.

The South Dakota contest is held in conjunction with the National Corn Yield Contest, which is organized by the National Corn Growers Association and in its 55th year.

Here’s a list of South Dakota winners, including seed brand, hybrid and yield. For a list of district winners, visit www.sdcorn.org.

CONVENTIONAL NON-IRRIGATED

1. Dean Bosse, Elk Point, 277.61

2. Brian Hefty, Baltic, 274.44

3. Ben LeBrun, Flandreau, 270.54

NO-TILL NON-IRRIGATED

1. Scott McKee, Hawarden, 291.82

2. Richard Arneson, Tulare, 217.43

3. Garrett Masat, Redfield, 215.83

STRIP, MINIMUM, MULCH, RIDGE-TILL NON-IRRIGATED

1. Brennen Reid Bird, Elk Point, 277.68

2. Brennen Reid Bird, Elk Point, 274.15

3. Daryl Akland, Beresford, 244.88

NO-TILL IRRIGATED

1. Jim Sheehan, Pierre, 168.39

STRIP, MINIMUM, MULCH, RIDGE-TILL IRRIGATED

1. Tyler & Jerry Poeschl, Yankton, 280.83

2. John Yaggie, Yankton, 277.89

CONVENTIONAL IRRIGATED

1. Tom & Don Logue, Volin, 257.03

2. Kory Standy, Platte, 239.39

3. Adam Wiese, Flandreau, 219.37