Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Nov 21 2016

Crop Progress

Harvest is wrapping up in all reporting states. Minnesota growers report 99% of the crop is harvested, while North Dakota producers are 92% finished.

Crop Progress - Monday, November 21, 2016

State	This Week	Last Week	Last Year	5 Year Average
North Dakota
Harvested	92	85	94	89
South Dakota
Harvested	97	93	93	89
Texas
Harvested	87	85	89	87
Kansas
Harvested	89	79	89	89
Minnesota
Harvested	99	91	100	97
Colorado
Harvested	92	90	91	91

Seed Quality

High Plains	2016	2015
Oil Content	40.8%	40.7%
Foreign Material	6.3%	6.6%
Moisture	7.5%	8.1%
Test Weight	30.4 lbs	31.2 lbs
Northern Plains	2016	2015
Oil Content	43.5%	42.5%
Foreign Material	4.5%	4.0%
Moisture	9.0%	9.0%
Test Weight	30.5 lbs	30.5 lbs

Elite Syngenta® Sunflower Genetics Available Through WinField® United’s CROPLAN® Brand

WinField® United business and Syngenta have entered into a license agreement concerning Syngenta sunflower germplasm. The agreement provides the WinField United business access to sunflower genetics currently marketed through Syngenta, as well as a first right to certain new genetics. Any sunflower hybrids commercialized by the WinField United business that were previously available through Syngenta will carry the same numeric identifier to help customers ease into the new product line. While seed bags and the distribution network will look different, CROPLAN® sunflower products licensed from Syngenta will continue to come from Syngenta’s breeding program.

Markets

Sunflower prices are beginning to follow CBoT soyoil futures again after early harvest pressure. Prices had fallen on robust seed deliveries to crush plants from active producer selling in the late summer months plus deliveries of previous contracted seed. Large amounts of seed were traded as producers took advantage of attractive prices and the need to free up storage for other crops. Producer selling will likely slow down given current pricing unless storage is an issue with the hope of a rally occurring later this year or early 2017. Acreage estimates for next year are starting to roll out. Informa Economics estimated US 2017 corn acres near 90.8 million vs 94.5, four percent less than this year, soybeans 88.6 vs 83.7 up six percent from this year and wheat 47.3 vs 50.1 five percent less than 2016. Informa’s winter wheat estimate is seven percent below this year but does expect a slight increase in spring wheat acres next year. Informa also projects an eight percent increase in sunflower acres next year, four percent more dry edible beans, and a slight increase in barley and oats. The value of the dollar rose to the highest level since 2003 after remarks by Fed Chair Janet Yellen last week. This bears watching as a stronger dollar reduces purchasing power for overseas buyers and could hamper US exports.