High-throughput phenotyping technologies, which can generate large volumes of data at low costs, may be used to indirectly predict yield. We explore this concept, using high-throughput phenotype information from Fourier transformed near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) of harvested kernels to predict parental grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.), and demonstrate a proof of concept for phenomic-based models in maize breeding. A dataset of 2,563 whole-kernel samples from a diversity panel of 346 hybrid testcrosses were scanned on a plot basis using NIRS. Scans consisted of 3,076 wavenumbers (bands) in the range of 4,000-10,000 cm −1. Corresponding grain yield for each sample was used to train phenomic prediction and selection models using three types of statistical learning: (a) partial least square regression (PLSR), (b) NIRS best linear unbiased predictor (NIRS BLUP), and (c) functional regression. Our results found that NIRS data were a useful tool to predict maize grain yield and showed promising results for evaluating genetically independent breeding populations. All model types were successful; functional regression followed by the PLSR model resulted in the best predictions. Pearson's correlations between predicted and observed grain yields exceeded .7 in many cases within random cross validation. Abbreviations: AF, aflatoxin; BLUE, best linear unbiased estimator; BLUP, best linear unbiased predictor; CV, cross validation; CV0, predicting one environment using data from all other environments; CV1, 20% of the hybrids are predicted by the remaining 80% of hybrids (five-fold), within each environment; CV2, predicting across environments, where hybrids are seen in some environments but predicted in others (mimics sparse testing); G × E, genotype by environment; G-BLUP, genomic best linear unbiased predictor; GEM, germplasm enhancement of maize lines; GWAS, genome-wide association study; LM, simple linear model; NIRS, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy; NIRS BLUP, NIRS-based best linear unbiased predictor; PLSR, partial least squares regression; RMSEP, root mean square error of prediction; SERAT, southeast regional aflatoxin trial; UAS, unoccupied aerial systems; WS, water stress, unirrigated treatment; WW, well-watered, irrigated treatment. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.