Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Dec 07 2020

NSA Board of Directors elects officers

Lemmon, SD producer Lance Hourigan is the new NSA Board President. Hourigan was elected at last week’s board meeting, held virtually on December 3-4. Hourigan will replace Bismarck, ND producer Clark Coleman as president. Coleman will now serve as NSA Board Chairman. Brighton, CO producer Tom Kirkmeyer was elected first vice president and Chuck Todd, producer from Onida, SD was elected second vice president. John Zietz of Cargill will continue as NSA Secretary-Treasurer.

Deadline approaching for USDA program for farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Producers have several options for applying for the CFAP 2 program by the Dec. 11 deadline. Producers can find eligible commodities, payment rates, calculations and options to apply on farmers.gov/cfap. Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. Click here for more information about CFAP 2.

Registration is open for the 2021 NSA Research Forum. This year’s forum will be held online through Zoom on January 13-14, 2021. Registration is open now. Register for just $25. Click here to register and for more information. Closer to the event, you’ll receive a link to attend the forum virtually.

Former NSA President Milt Lakness passes away

Milton “Milt” Lakness, 86, of Hayti, South Dakota passed away on November 28 due to the combination of Parkinson’s disease and the aftereffects of COVID-19. Lakness was one of the organizers of the National Sunflower Association and the South Dakota Sunflower Council. He farmed in northeastern South Dakota and was an early oilseed advocate for flax and sunflower. He was an original signee of the NSA articles of incorporation. He served as president of the NSA board of directors during a period when the NSA recognized that federal farm policy was critical to the future of sunflower. Lakness was awarded the Gold Award in 1996.

Seed Quality

High Plains	2020	2019
Oil Content	39.4%	39.7%
Foreign Material	6.6%	6.8%
Moisture	7.3%	6.8%
Test Weight	28.7 lbs	28.4 lbs
Northern Plains	2020	2019
Oil Content	43.5%	42.6%
Foreign Material	4.0%	6.0%
Moisture	9.4%	11.7%
Test Weight	29.8 lbs	29.3 lbs

Upcoming events

January 13-14, 2021
NSA Virtual Research Forum

June 22-24, 2021
NSA Summer Seminar Duluth, MN

Markets

Sunflower prices are stronger than normal for this time of the year at the crush plants as tight beginning seed stocks and strong oil demand has crush plants looking for seed supplies. In the past week nearby prices are up 10 to 20 cents per cwt. with 2021 new crop unchanged to up 10 cents. Birdfood prices continue in a holding pattern but have seen some upward movement of 50 cents per cwt. in some locations. On the Chicago Board of Trade, China is causing concern among traders as it has not made any large soybean purchases since November 9. Smaller purchases have been made but large purchases are lacking. This has led to falling prices speculative investors who were long the market, or had bet on higher prices, liquidate their positions, and sell their contracts. There continue to be reports of drought-related reductions in sunflower production in the Black Sea region and a planted area reduction for Argentina according to Oil World. Given the location of the crop losses, this bears watching as international trade would assume much of the impact and could open some market opportunities. Overall price direction will be determined by export demand news and South American oilseed production prospects in the near term. USDA will release its supply and demand report this week. Traders are anticipating that any significant changes to production, stocks and usage will come in the January report.

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, December 7, 2020 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2021 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	31.36	37.88	38.87	+.99	36.10
West Fargo, ND	NuSun	18.60	18.75	18.95	+.20	18.75
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	19.00	18.65	18.85	+.20	18.90
Enderlin, ND	NuSun	18.60	18.60	18.75	+.15	18.85
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	19.00	18.60	18.75	+.15	19.10
Goodland, KS	NuSun	18.10	18.18	18.25	+.10	18.75
Goodland, KS	High Oleic	18.85	19.15	19.25	+.10	19.75

Prices recorded here are believed to be reliable at the time of posting. All prices are subject to change. Contact these facilities for complete market details.

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, December 7, 2020
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	30.49	39.13	40.12	+.99
Cotton Oil (psby)	38.59	55.70	55.03	-.67
Corn Oil	31.00	69.00	69.00	NC