FAQs

The Great Lakes YEN is open to growers of winter wheat across Ontario and the Great Lakes region of the United States. Participants should have access to at least one field where they can follow the program protocols and submit the required data. Growers of all experience levels are welcome, as the focus is on learning and improving crop management.

When registration opens, participants can apply by completing the online survey available on the “How to Participate” page. The link will also be shared through social media channels. Because space is limited, interested participants are encouraged to submit their applications early once registration begins.

Yes. Each participant pays a registration fee of $300 in their country’s currency for entry of a single field site for one growing season. This fee helps cover the costs of soil, tissue, and grain sample analyses, as well as data processing and program events. Payment is due upon completion of the registration survey. The program also receives support from sponsors to help offset additional expenses and keep participant costs as reasonable as possible.

The program starts with a virtual kick-off meeting, usually held in February, and follows the crop season through harvest. Participants are guided through each stage of sampling and reporting, with a final report and recognition provided after harvest.

Participants receive detailed sampling instructions and guidance on the YEN protocol. Detailed video tutorials for field sampling and online data submission are available on the “Participant Login” page. The leadership team and affiliated agronomists are available to answer questions and provide support throughout the season.

Completing all required sampling and data submission is necessary to qualify for analysis and recognition. If challenges arise, participants should contact the leadership team promptly for guidance and to explore alternatives.

Yes. Participants may enter multiple fields, provided each field meets the program requirements and a separate entry fee is paid for each field. Each field will receive its own detailed report.

To successfully take part in the program, participants are expected to complete the YEN protocol and submit all required data. Participants should:

• Represent a range of geographies across Ontario and the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as diverse soil types.
• Be willing to share information and learn more about their wheat crop.
• Provide key agronomy data, including seeding details, crop inputs, harvest date, and related information.
• Collect and submit one soil sample in the spring, tissue samples at growth stage 31 & 39, and a grab sample of 100 stems at maturity.
• Submit a grain sample for analysis and provide a verified harvested weight through a certified crop advisor or another independent verifier. Yield monitor data is not accepted.

Participants are recognized for both highest yield achieved and percent of yield potential achieved, with awards presented to the top three growers in each category.

Regional networking events brings together participants, agronomists, researchers, and extension specialists to celebrate achievements, share insights from the season, and discuss opportunities for continued learning and improvement.

All participant data is treated with care and confidentiality. Data is used to generate individual field reports, support program analysis, and contribute to broader insights about crop management. When shared publicly, results are aggregated and anonymized to ensure participant privacy.

The Great Lakes YEN leadership team works closely with participants to confirm all submitted data and yield results. Participants must provide verified yield weight, moisture, and harvested area information, either directly or in collaboration with a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or another independent verifier.

Questions about your field, samples, or data collection? Contact:

• Ontario – Joanna Follings, Cereals Specialist at OMAFA (joanna.follings@ontario.ca; 519 400-7124)
• US – Dennis Pennington, Wheat Systems Specialist at Michigan State University (pennin34@msu.edu; 269 832-0497)

Questions about the YEN program? Contact:

• Ontario – Alexandra Dacey, Agronomy Project Coordinator at Grain Farmers of Ontario (adacey@gfo.ca; 519 830-5633)
• US – Jody Pollok-Newsom, Executive Director at Michigan Wheat Program (jody@miwheat.org; 517-490-0280)

All participant data is treated with care and confidentiality. Data is used to generate individual field reports, support program analysis, and contribute to broader insights about crop management. When shared publicly, results are aggregated and anonymized to ensure participant privacy.

The Great Lakes YEN focuses on percent of yield potential achieved, not just raw yield, emphasizing efficiency, sustainability, and agronomic insight. Participants receive a detailed field report analyzing soil, tissue, and grain results alongside management data to highlight successes and areas for improvement. Beyond competition, the program fosters learning and collaboration among farmers, agronomists, and researchers, providing a deeper understanding of what drives yield and how to maximize a field’s potential.

Potential yield represents the gap between maximum yield a crop could achieve under optimal management, and the actual yield achieved given the season’s weather and soil conditions. It is calculated by modelling the crop’s growth, development, and resource use – including light, water, and temperature – to estimate how efficiently the plant could convert available resources to biomass and grain. This provides a benchmark to compare actual yields and identify opportunities for improved efficiency and management.

Participants may enter any field they choose. The program is designed to provide insight and learning, so selecting a field where you can gain the most understanding — whether it’s high-performing or presents challenges — is encouraged. Remember, the yield awards are only a small component of the Great Lakes YEN; the primary goal is to improve knowledge and management across your farm.

YEN projects operate in multiple countries and across a variety of crops, including wheat, oats, edible beans, and potatoes. Key insights from wheat programs in the U.K. include:

• Extremely high yields are achievable with careful management.
• Success depends more on attention to detail rather than on the amount spent per acre.
• Large, healthy crops capture more sunlight and water, supporting higher yields.
• Proper nutrition, disease management, and minimizing lodging risks are critical.

For more information about the global YEN network, visit YEN UK.