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Sunflower Briefs

Wednesday, January 29, 2020
filed under: Sunflower Briefs

January USDA 2019 Production Numbers
       USDA’s January estimate of 2019 U.S. sunflower production came in at 1.94 billion lbs, down 8% from 2018.  The average yield of 1,562 lbs/ac was 169 lbs lower than that of 2018.  The 2019 planted area, at 1.35 million acres, was 4% above the previous year, while area harvested increased 2% from 2018 to 1.24 million acres.
       South Dakota, the top sunflower-producing state, produced 832 million lbs in 2019, a decrease of 14% from 2018.  Meanwhile, production in North Dakota increased slightly, primarily due to planted acreage, which was up 23% from the previous year. The average yield in North Dakota decreased 242 lbs from 2018 to 1,518 lbs/ac.
       At 1,846 lbs/ac, Minnesota’s average yield was the highest of all surveyed states.  Still, that yield was down significantly from Minnesota’s 2,236-lb average in 2018.
       U.S. production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 1.75 billion lbs, declined 7% from 2018.  Compared with the previous year, harvested acres were up 2%, but the average yield decreased by 163 lbs to 1,562 lbs/ac.  South Dakota was the top producer of oil-type sunflower with 782 million lbs, followed by North Dakota at 645 million.
       Production of nonoil sunflower in 2019 was estimated at 197 million lbs, down 10% from 2018.  Area harvested, at 126,500 acres, was up 3% from 2018, but the average yield decreased by 223 lbs from 2018 to 1,558 lbs/ac.  The leading state for nonoil production in 2019 was North Dakota at 95.7 million lbs.

2020 Research Requests Total $345,000
       The National Sunflower Association received 14 research proposals for 2020, totaling $345,107.  The NSA Research Committee met in early January to review the proposals and make recommendations for the NSA Board of Directors. The NSA board will make final decisions on funding during its annual spring meeting in late February.
       Proposed projects include studies of insects, disease, weeds and production.  A summary of the 2020 funded research projects will appear in the March/April issue of The Sunflower.

Annual Research Forum Held in Fargo
       More than 100 researchers, growers and industry representatives attended the National Sunflower Association’s 42nd annual Sunflower Research Forum on January 8 and 9 in Fargo, N.D. Researchers from several states presented papers and posters on their work.  Attendees heard oral presentations on weeds, insects, disease and new varieties of sunflower. Click here to see the presentations on the NSA website.

NDSU Updates Crop Compare Program
       North Dakota State University Extension has updated its Crop Compare program for 2020, and crop budgets for this year are showing both confection and oil sunflower among the top projected earners.
       Crop Compare is a spreadsheet designed to compare cropping alternatives. The program uses the direct costs and yields from the 2020 projected crop budgets for nine regions of North Dakota, but producers are encouraged to enter the expected yields and input costs for their farm.  The user designates a reference crop and enters its expected market price.  Depending on the region, a broad selection of nine to 18 crops are compared. The program provides the prices for competing crops that would be necessary to provide the same return over variable costs as the reference crop.
       Click here for the 2020 NDSU?Crop Compare spreadsheet.

CHS Obtains Rights to Corteva Programs
       CHS Inc. has obtained exclusive breeding and distribution rights to the Corteva Agriscience confection sunflower and conoil sunflower programs in North America. This will expand the number of sunflower hybrids available to CHS contract growers and farmer-owners and provide more high-value market opportunities.  For the 2020 season, the Corteva Agriscience conoil hybrid sunflower seeds will be marketed directly through CHS Sunflower and select CHS retail locations.  Beginning in 2021, CHS will add the full portfolio of the Corteva Agriscience confection program to its existing Royal Hybrid lineup.

Nominations Invited for NSA Gold Award
       The National Sunflower Association’s Gold Award is presented to a person who has contributed extraordinarily to the overall sunflower industry, either through his or her occupation or through the National Sunflower Association. This award is considered to be the highest award that the NSA presents to individuals. The award has been given since 1989.  Some past Gold Award winners include John McLean, Larry Kleingartner, Duane Berglund, Sen. Mark Andrews, Chuck Moses, Jim Krogh, Gary Fick, Joe Caroline and John Swanson.  The award typically is presented to one individual each year, unless no nominations come forward.
       Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 NSA Gold Award.  Click here for the eligibility and criteria requirements.  Nominations must be received by February 14, 2020.  The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a winner. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 23-25 in Spearfish, S.D.

2019 N.D. Sunflower Trial Data Now Online
       The North Dakota Sunflower Variety Trial Results for 2019 and Selection Guide is now available online.  Producers can find data about hybrid performance throughout the state, as well as information about yield and other information needed for accurate  selection of sunflower hybrids in North Dakota.
       Click here to see the guide.

ChemChina, Sinochem Form Syngenta Group
       ChemChina and Sinochem are consolidating their agricultural assets into a new holding company that will be called Syngenta Group.  Mark Patrick, who has been the chief financial officer, leave the current Syngenta executive team.  Chen Lichtenstein, current president and CEO with ADAMA, has been named the CFO for the newly formed Syngenta Group.  Lichtenstein has been ADAMA’s chief executive office since 2014.

Sunflower Production Guides on NSA Website
       It’s never too early to think about spring planting. The National Sunflower Association’s production resource books have a lot of helpful information.  Click here to check out the resource book for your area. The book provides guidelines and recommendations on production practices, pest identification, field selection and more.

CCTA High Plains No-Till Conference
         The Colorado Conservation Tillage Association’s 2020 High Plains No-Till conference will be held February 4 and 5 at the Community & Education Center in Burlington, Colo. Visit www.highplainsnotill.com for more information and to register.
Sessions will cover soil health, no-till, regenerative grazing, marketing, ag technology, business management and more. The NSA High Plains Committee will have a booth, so stop by and sign up to win an iPad!