Every year growers use their skill and knowledge to produce profitable corn and soybean crops. PEPS was founded on the vision that profitability is the ultimate goal in crop production. Now in its 20^th year, PEPS goes beyond typical yield contests by encouraging profitability, efficiency and conservation rather than productivity alone.

Two options are available to growers in the PEPS program: contest and verification only. In the contest option, the top-three contestants of each district and division are recognized at the state level and in various publications. In the contest option, a plaque and cash award is given to the top contestant.

The verification only option allows farmers to compare the economics of their cropping system without entering the public contest. It is a way to confidentially compare your system to other farmers, and learn ways to increase your competitiveness, especially during the tough seasons when ‘mother nature' may not be so kind.

We are again offering a Corn Silage division. Many corn grain growers are entering cooperative agreements to produce corn silage for large dairies. Understanding the economics of silage yield and quality and its influence on milk production is critical for developing fair contracts.

Four new "Yield" and "Quality" Awards will be given in 2006. A plaque and cash award will be given to the highest yielding corn grower, the highest yielding soybean grower, the corn grower producing the most ethanol per acre, and the soybean grower producing the most protein and oil per acre.

Economic data of individual fields is kept strictly confidential. Each participant in the PEPS program receives an:

economic summary of their fields entered,
historical economic summary of their previously entered fields providing a perspective on how management affected their operation over time,
overall summary report ranking contestants on profitability, efficiency and grain yield.

Yield and records verified in the PEPS program may also qualify for other contests such as the National Corn Yield Contest. An entry form and previous PEPS reports are found at the website: http://corn.agronomy.wisc.edu/PEPS.htm.

The PEPS program provides an outstanding opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, technical insight and demonstrate your farming skills. It also provides a unique method to compare the economics of your cropping systems to others.

If you have any questions, please call Colleen Smith at (608) 262-7702 or e-mail at: clsmith8@wisc.edu