Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Dec 17 2018

Grower Reports

As 2018 comes to an end, there are still several sunflower fields that have not been harvested. In southwestern North Dakota, Dickinson producer Art Ridl says about 50% of the sunflower crop is still standing. He says those sunflowers aren’t drying down enough to be harvested. But, Ridl says of the sunflowers that were harvested, yields were average to above average. In central South Dakota, Chuck Todd says all but the late planted sunflowers have been harvested. Many acres around his Onida farm were replanted because of a June hail storm. He says yields on the rest of the crop were good, many from 2,000 to 2,7000 pounds. And in northwest South Dakota, Lemmon area producer Lance Hourigan says harvest is progressing and he expects to be done by Christmas. He says about half to three-fourths of the sunflower harvest is complete. Hourigan says yields have been average to above average and oil and test weights are good.

It’s not too late to register to attend the National Sunflower Association’s Research Forum. The forum is set for January 9-10, 2019 at the Holiday Inn (3803 13^thAvenue South, Fargo). Click here to register for the forum at the early bird price of $130. Registration will increase to $145 on December 28, 2018. No refunds will be given after December 28, 2018. Additional banquet tickets can be purchased for $40 each. If you have questions, contact Tina Mittelsteadt at 888-718-7033 or email her at tinam@sunflowernsa.com. See you in Fargo!

Holiday Break

This edition of Sunflower Highlights will be the last for 2018. We will return with the weekly newsletter on January 7, 2019. Happy holidays!

Seed Quality

High Plains	2018	2017
Oil Content	40.2%	39.0%
Foreign Material	4.7%	6.0%
Moisture	8.7%	8.1%
Test Weight	28.1 lbs	28.5 lbs
Northern Plains	2018	2017
Oil Content	44.0%	42.7%
Foreign Material	3.5%	4.8%
Moisture	9.8%	9.3%
Test Weight	30.6 lbs	29.2 lbs

Markets

The ADM crush plant in Goodland, KS came out with 2019 AOG contracts for NuSun at $16.75 and high oleics at $18.00 last week. Nearby NuSun and high oleic prices at the crush plants ended the week mixed at unchanged to up 10 cents. In the past two weeks, the 2019 new crop high oleic price has moved 30 cents higher in some locations. 2019 new crop NuSun prices have remained unchanged. The market continues to watch developments in the US-China trade negotiations. China did come into the market and bought some soybeans last week. Traders welcomed the news but were somewhat disappointed as it is just a fraction of China's typical purchases from the US in a normal season. Price direction continues to be tied to export demand news and South American oilseed production prospects in the near term. With global soybean stocks growing, the market will need to hear about a weather problem in the Southern Hemisphere in order for the market to generate a sustained rally.Traders are also trying to guess the potential impact if the US Federal Reserve raises interest rates during 2019.This could lead to an even stronger dollar and would not be good for US exports. As time goes on, the weight of increased stocks could continue to be felt, particularly if the US Federal Reserve does indeed raise interest rates more than expected.