30 Years Ago
Sunday, December 1, 2024
filed under: Historical
Sunflower Has Several Benefits for Colorado Irrigated Rotation / By Don Lilleboe — “Among irrigated producers in Kit Carson County, [George] Stahlecker is in a minority: He still utilizes flood (surface) irrigation at a time when most irrigated cropland in the area has been placed under center-pivot sprinklers. While Stahlecker concedes the improved watering efficiency of sprinklers versus flood, the cost of installing a center-pivot system — $40,000 or more per unit — has been the major reason for not yet moving in that direction.
“Though milo used to be a standard part of his rotation — as did some continuous corn, Stahlecker’s irrigated cropping sequence has evolved into one of corn/fallow/wheat/sunflower. (Though he typically does not irrigate the wheat, he did apply one watering to the fall ’94 plantings because of the extremely dry year in his area.). The prospect of injury from the herbicide Pursuit, used on the corn, is the reason for placing sunflower ahead of corn in the rotation.
“Stahlecker has been able to attain solid sunflower yields (he typically shoots for a 2,000-pound average under irrigation) while keeping a tight lid on input costs. He currently uses no herbicide, yet still has kept weed pressure low. Through the use of insect pheromone traps and regular monitoring, he is able to minimize insecticide application costs for seed weevil and head moth control. At most, he’ll treat with a single application; and in some years, no insecticide is required.
“Finally, there is sunflower’s low water demand compared to irrigated corn. ‘We’ll probably irrigate our sunflower twice,’ Stahlecker explains. ‘Once when the ’flowers are in the bud stage; then about 10 days later, just prior to full bloom.’ Each of the two watering sets runs from abut 10-12 hours down alternating 30-inch rows, applying approximately three inches of water. So the sunflower gets about six inches of irrigation water per season, compared to 15 to 20 inches for the corn. ‘If we’re short on water, that’s where our sunflower really shines,’ Stahlecker affirms.
“[Colorado State University extension specialist] Ron Meyer’s data confirm that assertion. The CSU specialist says 1994 yields in the university’s dryland sunflower plots on the Stahlecker farm averaged a paltry 500 pounds per acre. On the irrigated plots (total application of six inches of irrigation water), average yields lean 1,800 pounds. Residue measurements this fall in the standing irrigated sunflower stubble, incidentally, indicated more than 3,000 pounds of residue per acre.”
Pioneer Awards Grants for SDSU Sunflower Research — “Two research projects at South Dakota State University will generate more answers about the effects of fertilizer placement and optimum planting dates for seed characteristics in sunflower and soybeans.
“ ‘Government programs and stronger markets have encouraged farmers to grow sunflower,’ notes Jerome Lensing, Sioux Falls, S.D.-based field agronomy manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which is providing financial support for the two SDSU sunflower projects.
“ ‘Planting dates are an important management decision for sunflower growers,’ notes Kathleen Grady, SDSU oilseed researcher. Grady’s project consists of eight different planting dates using four different sunflower hybrids. Among the hybrids are a dwarf early maturing variety, as well as early, medium- and late-maturing conventional-height varieties.
“Unfavorable weather may delay planting of sunflower, Lensing points out, and farmers need to know how late they can plant or replant and still obtain adequate yields. ‘This research will help us collect good agronomic information to share with producers,’ he says.
“Fertilizer applications obviously affect sunflower, too. The 1994 season witnessed the first year of an SDSU fertilizer study for sunflower and the third year of one for corn and soybeans.
“ ‘With some planters, liquid or dry fertilizer is placed right with the seed,’ notes Ron Gelderman, soil test lab manager at SDSU. ‘Dry fertilizer is used more with sunflower and soybeans, while liquid fertilizer is commonly used more with corn.’
“ ‘Farmers want to know how far to push the limit before fertilizer salt injury may occur,’ Gelderman continues. ‘Too much salt around the seed will not allow the seed to absorb water, and [thus] germination will not occur. He adds that some fertilizers give off ammonia, which the seed absorbs, thereby halting germination.”
Sunflower Shines in ’94 — “In the High Plains, R.A. True of Mueller Grain, Goodland, Kan., summarizes 1994 as even better, overall, than what was a very good 1993 production season in the region. Mueller, whose company handles sunflower from throughout much of the High Plains, says there were numerous ton yields in the region. He estimates an average region-wide yield in the neighborhood of 1,500 to 1,600 pounds.
“The only widespread serious production problem, according to True, was severe drought in parts of northeastern Colorado, which contains significant plantings of confection sunflower. Insect damage in the overall High Plains confection crop was very low, he adds. True believes that 1994’s positive results for the majority of the region’s sunflower producers, coupled with the 7.5 percent corn set aside and continued availability of 0-92, should contribute to even more acreage being planted to sunflower in the spring of 1995.”
Nation Becoming Acquainted With New Sunflower Cereal — “Did you celebrate National Sunflower Day on October 12? General Mills did — and so did the National Sunflower Association.
“That was the date Minneapolis-based General Mills introduced Sun Crunchers™, the first nationally distributed cereal to feature the seed of the popular sunflower. The kickoff took place, appropriately enough, in the ‘Sunflower State’ of Kansas. National Sunflower Day featured several media-focused festivities in Wichita, including comments by representatives of the National Sunflower Association, as well as the unveiling of a commemorative piece of artwork commissioned by General Mills.
“Sun Crunchers, the first new adult cereal introduced by General Mills in more than two years, is being promoted through national television and print advertising. Presently available in a 14-ounce package, the cereal is touted as a good source of fiber and excellent source of vitamin E. General Mills has been pleased with grocer acceptance to date.”