On October 20, Missouri severed as the host for the 1996 National contest held at the Saline County Fairgrounds on the southwest edge of Marshall. As in the year before, the weather was hot and dry with the temperatures climbing into the mid-80s by late afternoon. The corn was short and ear size was on the small side. This accounted for lighter load weights as compared to other contest years

The Boys Under 21 class also featured a large number of contestants with 11 huskers vying for top honors. Three-time divisional champ Chris Johnson was successful in winning the title for the fourth straight time, tying Curtis Ferguson's record of four consecutive wins in 1987-1990.

Twenty-three men were on hand to vie for the National Championship as the Men's Open class got underway by mid-afternoon. Returning to the contest after four-year hiatus was the 1991 National champ, Robert Ferguson. Defending Champion and runner-up John Van Liere and Mitchel Burns were present, along with 1994 runner-up Frank Hennenfent. Other former National champs on the field were Joe Anholt, John Jackson, Joe Pelster, and Albert Pabst. As the huskers' loads were unloaded and weighed, it was apparent that the heat had not bothered the 72-year-old Ferguson. His gross load of 484 pounds in the light yielding corn topped all other contestants by 32 pounds.

The Women's Open class features the usual outstanding huskers who battled every year for the National crown. On the field were the 1995 trophy winners, Rochelle Myers, Tammi Brabb and Julia Van Laar. Other strong contenders were Betty Oberg, Peggy Hinrichs, and Tammy Einfeldt. When all loads were weighted and calculations finalized, Betty Oberg, from Sioux, South Dakota, had accomplished one of her beast husking performances. Using a boss palm hook, the 40-year-old Oberg husked 280 gross ponds with only 9.9 pounds of deductions. Her performance was good enough for her to claim her first National title in the Open class.