Hardin County has just under 60,000 acres of grain production which is mainly corn, soybeans, and wheat. The market value of those crops in 2022 was around $47.5 million dollars. With increasing pressure on productive farmland, maximum output and efficiency are of the upmost importance to our area farmers. We have several farmers who utilize extension agents for measuring yield contest entries for state and national contests. In 2023, the Hardin County Agriculture Agent measured 14 corn entries and 6 soybean entries. Hardin County Farmers were recognized at the annual state commodity conference for highest oil content, District 4 yield winner, 2^nd place irrigated full season soybeans, state champion irrigated white corn and state champion irrigated corn. These contests are held each year thanks to partnerships with Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Soybean Association, and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association. Our farmers enjoy the friendly competition, and it gives them encouragement to try new production practices and technologies to push their yields higher each year. Production practices are also sent to UK with all yield measurements to help provide data that can help UK Specialists in their research.