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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Sep 14 2020

Crop Progress

Eighty-two percent of Minnesota's sunflower crop is reported in good to excellent condiion. Menawhile, in Texas, harvest continues, with more than half the state's sunflower crop reported harvested.

Crop Progress - Monday, September 14, 2020 State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Petals Dry 88 82 75 87 Bracts Yellow 66 48 44 62 Mature 30 10 6 20 Texas         Harvested 56 50 61 50

Crop Conditions - Monday, September 14, 2020 State Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota 8 12 30 45 5 Minnesota 1 3 14 75 7 Colorado 9 34 41 15 1

Hard freeze hits sunflower growing area

Last week a hard freeze hit most of the sunflower growing area of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Sunflower is most susceptible to freeze damage at bud and flowering. After pollination and petal drop sunflower can withstand temperatures as low as 25 degrees with only minor damage. Several weather reporting stations reported lows at or below 25 degrees for two nights. Before the freeze hit, USDA reported 82% of the North Dakota crop at the petal drop stage, 48% with yellow bracts and only 10% fully mature. This left a large portion of the crop that might have sustained some type of damage. Yield, oil content and test weight often are reduced to some degree when sunflower is damaged by frost before it is fully mature. The extent of the damage will not be fully known until farmers harvest their crop this fall.

Research grant applications being accepted

Research is an important part of the NSA’s mission. Each year, the NSA provides grants to public researchers to stimulate new or additional work that may result in lower production costs, increased quality and higher yields. Pre-proposals for projects to be considered for funding in 2021 are now being accepted. Click here to read more and to submit pre-proposals.

Consider cattail control

Now is a good time to remove blackbird roosting locations, such as cattails. Cattails serve as blackbird habitat, so it is in the sunflower producer’s best interest to get rid of as much as possible. The USDA can help with blackbird control. Click here for a map with phone numbers for USDA Wildlife Services personnel that can help North Dakota producers who have blackbird problems. They will respond to you during the damage season by providing loaner cannons and pyrotechnics. These offices will provide further assistance in an attempt to break up large roosts. Using a combination of cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants and repellants can be even more effective when used together. Click here for more information on blackbird control.

Reduce the risk of combine fires

Sunflower is an oil-based crop, and fine fibers from sunflower seeds pose a constant fire hazard. To help reduce the risk this harvest season, be sure to keep a clean work area when harvesting sunflower. Blow the combine and grain dryer setup with an air hose daily. Also, try nighttime harvesting, when humidity levels are higher and keep a small pressure sprayer filled with water on hand in the combine. For more tips, click here.

Upcoming events

January 13-14, 2021 NSA Research Forum Holiday Inn, Fargo, ND   June 22-24, 2021 NSA Summer Seminar Duluth, MN

Markets

Sunflower prices were unchanged to up 10 cents this week at the crush plants. Nearby birdfood prices have remained firm since last month. According to the September USDA Farm Service Agency crop acreage report, area planted to sunflower in 2020 increased 22 percent from 2019 and totals 1.65 million acres. Planted area of oil type varieties, at 1.46 million acres, is up 22 percent from 2019. Planted acreage of non-oil varieties, estimated at 192,800 acres, is up 25 percent from last year. 2020 U.S. sunflower production is still undetermined and will not be known until this fall. The freeze that occurred this week in the Dakotas and Minnesota could affect yields in the most important production states. Initial estimates of total oil and non-oil sunflower production before the freeze occurred was in a range of 2.2-2.4 billion pounds, which is about 25 percent higher than last year’s crop. In October, USDA will provide its first estimate for oil and non-oil sunflower production. Traders will be keen to see how USDA factors in any potential effect of the freeze into the production numbers. This report along with actual harvest reports will set the tone for new crop sunflower price direction in the near term. Getting the crop harvested several weeks early can result in lower drying costs, plus reduces late season crop and blackbird damage.

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, September 14, 2020 ($/CWT)   Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2020 NEW Crop Chicago Oil Nearby 30.14 33.57 34.28 +.71 34.29 West Fargo, ND NuSun 18.50 16.60 16.60 NC 16.60 West Fargo, ND High Oleic 18.80 16.80 16.80 NC 16.80 Enderlin, ND NuSun 18.40 16.65 16.75 +.10 16.75 Enderlin, ND High Oleic 18.70 16.85 16.95 +.10 16.95 Goodland, KS NuSun 16.70 16.85 16.95 +.10 16.95 Goodland, KS High Oleic 17.95 17.85 17.95 +.10 17.95 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, September 14, 2020 (dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)   Last Year Last Week This Week Change Soybean Oil 29.64 33.52 34.48 +.96 Cotton Oil (psby) 39.14 48.27 49.23 +.96 Corn Oil 29.00 68.00 68.00 NC