Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: Jun 06 2016
Crop Progress
Planting is well ahead of average in South Dakota. Producers there report 50% of the sunflower crop is planted, compared to an average of 33%. Growers in Kansas report 235 of the crop is in the ground, slightly behind that state's average of 29%. Meanwhile, sunflower planting is almost complete in Minnesota, with 99% of the crop planted.
Crop Progress - Monday, June 6, 2016
State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average
North Dakota        
Planted 81 67 70 50
Emerged 43 20 24 NA
South Dakota        
Planted 50 30 23 33
Minnesota        
Planted 99 94 88 72
Texas        
Planted 65 41 82 79
Colorado        
Planted 23 16 10 27
Kansas        
Planted 23 4 17 29
Grower Report
Onida, SD producer Chuck Todd hopes to get started planting sunflower later this week. He says producers in his area of central South Dakota traditionally plant later than other growers. He says that helps reduce some insect problems. Todd will plant just under 400 acres of dehull sunflower on his own land. He will also do several acres of custom seeding, most of which will be high oleic sunflower.
USDA Seeks Input About 2016 Crops
During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its major mid-year survey, the June Agricultural Survey. The agency will survey operations across the country to determine crop production and supply levels in 2016. NASS gathers the data for the June Agricultural Survey online, by mail, phone, and in-person interview. Also, agency representative visit randomly selected tracts of land and interview the operators of any farm or ranch on that land. Growers will provide information on crop acreage, grain stocks, livestock inventory, cash rents, land values, and value of sales. NASS will compile and analyze the survey information and publish the results in a series of USDA reports to be released June 30. All reports are available here.
Markets
The rally in the oilseed complex continues on the CBoT. CBoT soyoil values have gained $1.36-$1.41 in the past two weeks. Sunflower prices have followed the upward trend adding 60-75 cents to old crop and 50-65 cents to new crop prices. The rally has been led by technical buying and uncertainty in Argentine soybean production. Just how much damage floods caused in Argentina remains uncertain. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange said harvest was 79% complete, with some of the flood areas just being cut now. The exchange kept its production estimate at 2.06 billion bushels, slightly less than USDA's May forecast but not as dire as many in the market have predicted. The next USDA supply and demand report will be out this week with their updated expectations for the US and world oilseed production and usage. Traders will be anxiously looking to confirm the latest reported production prospects. US planting progress along with crop conditions will be available after the market close today. Traders are expecting 85-90% of the soybean crop is planted with the majority of it rated in good to excellent condition. Sunflower planting remains well ahead of normal in the Dakotas and Minnesota. The planting pace in the High Plains is slightly behind the five-year average.  
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