Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 28 2019

2019 Research Presentations Available Online

If you weren’t able to attend this year’s NSA Research Forum in Fargo, ND, you can still learn about the latest sunflower research. Power Point Presentations of all the reports given at the forum can now be found on the NSA website under the “research” tab. Click here to see this year’s presentations. For a historical look, all the presentations dating back to 2008 are available there as well. Researchers from North and South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, and Iowa presented papers and posters on their work.

NSA Scholarship Available

The National Sunflower Association is seeking applicants for the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship. In tribute to the dedicated work of Curtis Stern, an industry advocate and former NSA board member, the NSA Board of Directors established a memorial scholarship in his name. Funds assist students who study in the field of agriculture with a special emphasis on sunflower production, promotion, or research. Preference will be given to students who are in their last two years of undergraduate studies or in graduate level studies and have maintained at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0=A scale. Application deadline is April 1, 2019. A total of $3,500 is available for the scholarship this year. Applications can be submitted online. Click here to learn more. Contact Tina Mittelsteadt with any questions.

2019 NSA Gold Award Nominations Being Accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 NSA Gold Award. Click here for the eligibility and criteria requirements. Nominations must be received by February 15, 2019. The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a winner. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 25-27 in Medora, ND.

Markets

The market is focusing on two key factors. Market bulls are fixated on hot, dry weather in Brazil, and bears are staying pessimistic about the ongoing trade war between the US and China. In Brazil's northern and central crop areas, increasing showers the next few days may help to ease stress to late filling soybeans. However, yield declines are not likely to be recovered. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross downplayed expectations for an end to US-China trade war when both sides meet in Washington this week, saying the world’s two largest economies are a long way from resolving their differences. Others, who reportedly have the ear of President Trump, also said they don’t expect negotiators to come to a trade agreement during the talks.Nearby NuSun prices were down 15 cents to unchanged with high oleics unchanged to up 10 cents this week at the crush plants. Recent heavy deliveries led to the drop in prices. Nearby prices had seen some nice gains and producers took advantage making seed sales. 2019 new crop NuSun and high oleic prices were unchanged for the week. New crop NuSun cash prices are currently in a range of $16.75-$17.25 with high oleics at $17.20-$18.00 depending on location. Overall price direction will continue to be determined by South American oilseed production prospects and news from this week’s meeting between the US and China trade negotiators.