(STARK CITY, Mo.) Governor Jay Nixon traveled to Stark City Tuesday to celebrate farmer Kip Cullers’ “record breaking” soy bean yield.
“It was my pleasure to announce Kip Cullers has announced a new world record,” Nixon said in a conference call with journalists. “Soy beans have made Kip very, very famous.”
The average bushels per acre is 40. Cullers produced 154.57 bushels per acre.
His secret? Cullers said it is attention to detail.
“I think what I’ve earned.. is … we’re just trying to pay close attention to little details,” Cullers said. “We’re always willing to try new things. We’re not status quo.”
During a ceremony at Cullers’ fields near Stark City, Gov. Nixon presented Cullers a special trophy from the soybean industry’s 100 Bushel Club to honor the new world record. The Governor also recognized Cullers with the Governor’s Award for Agricultural Achievement, which honors outstanding farmers, growers and processors in a variety of commodities.
“Agriculture is vital to Missouri’s economy, and it’s also an integral part of our Missouri way of life,” Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture Jon Hagler said. “Under Gov. Nixon’s leadership, the Department of Agriculture continues its efforts to help Missouri farmers thrive and prosper.”
Soybeans are Missouri’s No. 1 cash crop. Missouri farmers harvested 5.3 million acres of soybeans in 2009, with a total value of more than $2.17 billion. Nationally, Missouri ranks fifth among states for total soybean acreage. Approximately 35,000 farmers produce soybeans in Missouri.
Nixon said, “Kip Cullers’ success truly shows that Missouri growers are the best of the best.”
