Article Archives

Sunflower Briefs

Wednesday, February 1, 2023
filed under: Sunflower Briefs

Sunflower Production Up 48% Over 2021
        U.S. sunflower production in 2022 totaled 2.81 billion lbs, according to the USDA in its annual crop production report. That’s an increase of 48% from the 1.9 billion lbs of 2021. At 2.57 billion lbs, production of oil-type sunflower was up 48% from the prior year’s crop, while at 240.7 million lbs, the 2022 confection crop was 44% higher than the previous year.
        North Dakota regained its top spot among states in 2022, harvesting a total of 1.34 billion lbs of sunflower. That was 76% higher than in 2021. South Dakota, the 2021 leader, came in at 1.08 billion lbs, a 32% hike from the prior year. The biggest percentage increase occurred in Minnesota, where 2022 sunflower production totaled 174.7 million lbs, 86% higher than that of 2021. The only surveyed states where 2022 production ranked lower than that of 2021 were California (39% less), Colorado (34% less) and Kansas (13% less). The California decline was mainly due to lower harvested acreage, while that of Colorado and Kansas was related to yield-lowering drought conditions.
        The average yield among oil-type sunflower acres in 2022 was 1,739 lbs/ac — 214 lbs more than 2021’s average. Among states, Minnesota led at 2,370 lbs/ac, followed by North Dakota (1,900 lbs/ac) and South Dakota (1,740 lbs/ac). On confection acreage, North Dakota averaged 2,170 lbs/ac, Texas 2,100 lbs/ac and Minnesota 2,000 lbs/ac.
        Harvested sunflower acreage in 2022 totaled 1.61 million (compared to 1.24 million in 2021). Of that, 1.48 million were oil-type and 128,000 were confections.

45th Sunflower Research Forum Held in Fargo
Forum attendees at session

        Approximately 100 sunflower scientists, growers and industry personnel gathered in Fargo, N.D., on January 11 and 12 for the 45th annual Sunflower Research Forum. Participants heard research reports relating to plant disease management, breeding advancements, weed control, insect control developments and blackbird control.
        Corporate sponsors of this year’s research event included Red River Commodities, Nuseed, Syngenta, Pioneer and Northern Bag and Box Company.

NSA Gold Award Nominations Being Accepted
        Every year, the National Sunflower Association presents its Gold Award to an individual 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.
        Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 NSA Gold Award. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/all-about/goldaward/ for the eligibility and criteria requirements. Nominations must be received by February 10, 2023. The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a recipient. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 27-29 in Spearfish, S.D.

Nuseed Hosts Sunflower University February 8
        Bringing together the latest innovations and research to the sunflower community, Nuseed will be hosting Sunflower University Planting Academy, in-person and virtually, February 8th at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre, S.D. This workshop will focus primarily on global sunflower markets and expert planting tips and best practices. Speakers will present from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm CST, with lunch and planter demonstration breakout sessions to follow in the afternoon for in-person attendees. Contact Nuseed or your local Nuseed representative for more details and to register.

Plant Pathologist Shires Joins SDSU Staff

        Madalyn Shires has joined South Dakota State University as an assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science and SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist.
        Shires grew up on a small farm in southern Oklahoma and received her bachelor’s degree in plant and soil sciences from Oklahoma State University. She then went on to obtain her doctoral degree at Texas A&M University in the Plant Pathology and Microbiology Department.
        “I have been focused on plant viruses and plant disease diagnostics throughout my previous roles and research,” Shires noted. “I also bring research skills in epidemiology, assay design for pathogen detection and differentiation, and experience in being part of large research collaborations.”
        While in Texas, Shires enjoyed working closely with Extension and says that the robust Extension program at SDSU is one of the aspects that interested her in the role. “I enjoy being able to address issues as they arise in the field and bringing science out of the lab so that it is accessible to all,” Shires said.
        Shires was most recently a post-doctoral research associate at Washington State University, bringing a wide variety of experience and education to SDSU including the genotyping of viruses and phytoplasmas, epidemiology of X-Disease, and assay development and optimization for plant disease detection.
        “I hope to serve stakeholder needs around plant disease education and management,” Shires emphasized. “I also hope to build lasting relationships and collaborations with growers, crop consultants and other Extension personnel.” Sunflower will be part of her research and Extension portfolio.

Corteva Eliminates Jobs at Woodland Facility
        Corteva Agriscience is eliminating 51 jobs at its Woodland, Calif., facility run by its Pioneer Hi-Bred International subsidiary. The company shut down production and business activities in Russia, which in turn reduced demand for its hybrid sunflower seeds.
        The company has enough sunflower production capacity in Europe for the EU market. Corteva will continue to produce parent seeds and partner with a third party to produce hybrid sunflower seed for the U.S. market.

Yield Trial Data Available on NSA Website
        When deciding whether to plant NuSun® or high-oleic hybrids on your farm, do some research to see which hybrids will have the best yields in your growing area. Yield trials conducted by USDA and universities are an important way for producers to look at a hybrid's performance in several locations, over several years and environments.
          Use the following link to the National Sunflower Association website (sunflowernsa.com) to peruse the latest yield trial data: Yield Trials & Hybrid Disease Ratings.