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Sunflower Briefs

Saturday, January 1, 2022
filed under: Sunflower Briefs

NSA Board Elects Coming Year’s Officers
        Lemmon, S.D., producer Lance Hourigan will continue to serve as president of the National Sunflower Association Board of Directors during the coming year. Hourigan was re-elected at the board meeting held on December 2-3. Clark Coleman, Bismarck, N.D., will continue as NSA board chairman. Brighton, Colo., producer Tom Kirkmeyer was re-elected first vice president, and Chuck Todd, producer from Onida, S.D., was re-elected second vice president. David Douglas of Archer Daniels Midland was elected as the new NSA secretary/treasurer at the December gathering.

Enterprise Units By Sunflower Type for 2022
        The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced it will allow sunflower enterprise units to be insured by type in the 2022 crop year. Senator Kevin Cramer (ND) led the North Dakota and South Dakota delegations on a letter to RMA urging them to improve the sunflower crop insurance program by offering this insurance option. This additional option enables producers to be indemnified separately by sunflower type. The benefit for producers is that a gain on one type (e.g., confection type) does not offset the loss payment on another type (e.g., oil type).
        “NSA greatly appreciates the support of the North Dakota and South Dakota congressional delegations and RMA in obtaining this important change to the sunflower crop insurance program,” the association noted. “Having enterprise units by sunflower type will strengthen coverage options and increase consistency, clarity and flexibility, making crop insurance a better risk management tool for sunflower producers.”

Red River Commodities Expands Suntein™
        Red River Commodities has expanded its Suntein™ ingredient line to include a ready-to-eat option. Suntein is a sustainable, non-GMO alternative to soy, wheat, whey or other allergenic plant-based proteins that meets clean label requirements. Bar, beverage and dry mix applications will benefit from this pasteurized, 51% naturally derived protein flour made from high-oleic sunflower kernels. For more information, visit www.suntein.us.

USDA Compiling Production & Stocks Data
        With the 2021 growing season concluded, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting producers nationwide to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds stored on their farms. At the same time, NASS is surveying grain facility operators to determine year-end off-farm grain and oilseed stocks. Responses to the survey will be used in calculating county-level yields, which have a direct impact on farmers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency may use the data in administering producer programs and in determining disaster assistance program calculations. All responses are completely confidential.
        Survey results will be published in several reports, including the Crop Production Annual Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on January 12.

Sunflower Research Forum Scheduled for January 12 & 13
        Registration continues for the 2022 National Sunflower Association annual Sunflower Research Forum, scheduled for January 12 and 13 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, N.D. Visit 2022 NSA Research Forum on the NSA?website (www.sunflowernsa.com) for registration and hotel details.

High Plains No-Till?Conference In Burlington on Feb. 1 & 2
        The Colorado Conservation Tillage Association will be hosting the 33rd High Plains No-Till Conference on February 1 and 2 in Burlington, Colo. The 2021 event was canceled due to Covid.
        The 2022 event’s keynote speakers are Dallas Mount, Zach Wright and Jay Fuhrer. Mount is a former University of Wyoming Extension educator and currently owner and CEO of Ranch Management Consultants. Wright is an agricultural activist for clean soil, and Fuhrer is a North Dakota-based soil health specialist with nearly four decades experience working with cropping systems, grazing systems, cover crops and gardens.
        The CCTA conference will feature more than 45 breakout sessions focusing on topics ranging from ag technology to soil health, farm business and general no-till, to regenerative grazing and marketing. It also includes a trade show and social.
      Program and registration details for the 2022 High Plains No-Till Conference can be viewed at: www.HighPlainsNoTill.com.

Summer Seminar Is June 28-30
          The National Sunflower Association’s 2022 Summer Seminar is currently scheduled for June 28-30 at the Canad Inn in Grand Forks, N.D. The popular event was canceled in both 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. Details on the 2022 Summer Seminar will be posted on the NSA website as plans develop and also noted in upcoming issues of The Sunflower.