A Pantego farmer was recently recognized for being a top producer among farmers throughout the nation.

Neil Manning won an award for a yield of 89.9 bushels per acre with Asgrow soybean product AG4934 brand in the 2015 Asgrow National Yield Contest, according to a press release from Monsanto Company.

Manning and other winners were presented the awards at the 2016 Commodity Classic, an annual farming convention held in New Orleans in March. The winners were celebrated at an awards banquet and private concert featuring country music star Easton Corbin, the release said.

In the contest, 52 farmers were recognized, with 14 accomplishing yields over 100 bushels per acre.

“Congratulations to Neil on his outstanding achievement,” said Jesse Hamonic, Asgrow DEKALB brand lead, who presented the trophy at the banquet, in the release. “It’s exciting to see farmers like Neil push yield boundaries through a winning combination of management skills and Asgrow soybean products.”

The company’s first national yield contest was held in 2012 to encourage soybean producers to challenge their peers in pushing yield limits, according to the release. Through the contest, farmers are afforded the opportunity to learn more about the latest seed technologies and production practices, something that contributes to overall advances for farmers across the nation.

According to Anna Beth Williams, an agent with Washington County Cooperative Extension, Manning also placed second in the N.C. State Soybean Yield Contest. Manning Bros. Farms, his farming company, predominantly farms land in Washington County, but also some in Beaufort County.

Intensive fertility management — maintaining high levels of soil fertility — keeping nutrients at adequate levels and irrigation techniques to reduce drought stress are among techniques Manning uses, which led to the high yield, Williams said.

Manning also follows recommendations given by N.C. State University through the Extension, private industry and other sources available to him such as using fungicides for diseases pressure, herbicides to keep weeds at a minimum and higher levels of fertilizer, Williams said.

“He managed (his soybeans) in a way to produce a very high yield so he was striving for the best possible yield,” Williams said. “The Manning Bros. farming operation are a good family farm that they’re using up-and-coming, new technologies to produce higher yields, and they’re striving for the best possible crop in the best way possible.”