Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: Sep 19 2016
Crop Progress
Sunflower fields are starting to mature in reporting states. In Kansas, 12 percent of the crop is reported mature and 32 percent of North Dakota's sunflowers are reported mature. Meanwhile, harvest continues in Texas, where 40 percent of the sunflower crop is reported harvested.
Crop Progress - Monday, September 19, 2016
State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average
North Dakota        
Petals Dry 90 86 94 89
Bracts Yellow 74 67 70 58
Mature 32 22 34 ---
South Dakota        
Blooming 95 90 100 100
Petals Dry 62 50 78 85
Bracts Yellow 29 17 43 59
Texas        
Harvested 40 35 48 46
Kansas        
Petals Dry 63 47 62 71
Bracts Yellow 36 18 11 45
Mature 12 --- --- ---
Crop Conditions - Monday, September 19, 2016
State Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent
North Dakota 1 5 23 65 6
South Dakota 1 5 33 58 3
Minnesota 2 3 37 49 9
Colorado 0 3 26 63 8
Kansas 0 3 28 63 6
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 2017 are now being accepted. Click here to read more and submit pre-proposals.
Grower Report
Mohall, ND producer Jeff Oberholtzer is patiently waiting for his 2,000 acres of high oleic sunflower to be ready to harvest. Oberholtzer says they are getting close, and some in his area of north central North Dakota have already desiccated their sunflower. Oberholtzer says dry weather has kept blackbirds away this so far this year. 
Call for Papers
Here’s your chance to be a part of the National Sunflower Association’s Research Forum. We’re looking for research papers to be presented at the Forum, set for January 11-12, 2017 in Fargo, ND. Presentations may be either oral or in the form of a poster. A time will be designated for authors to be with their posters and answer questions. Each oral presentation will be limited to 10-12 minutes with 2-3 minutes allowed for questions. If you are interested in presenting a paper at the Forum, submit your application online here. You do not have to submit the actual paper or poster at this time, just the information indicated online and the author information. Submissions must be completed by November 14, 2016. If you plan to attend, registration will be open on our website soon.
Bayer Acquires Monsanto in Deal Worth $66 Billion
Bayer and Monsanto have agreed to a $66 billion merger, including debt, to create one of the world’s largest agrichemical companies. Bayer has been courting Monsanto for months and recently raised its bid for the St. Louis-based company from $125 a share to $127.50 a share, with the companies finally settling on a price of $128 a share. Regulators in the European Union (EU), U.S., Canada, Brazil and two dozen other countries will review the acquisition for potential antitrust issues. Bayer and Monsanto believe the regulatory reviews can be completed in 2017.  
Upcoming Events
November 29-30, 2016 - Ag Horizons, Pierre, SD
January 11-12, 2017 – NSA Research Forum, Fargo, ND
June 27-29, 2017 – NSA Summer Seminar, Rapid City, SD
Markets
Nearby sunflower prices have backed off as farmers continue to be very active sellers at the crush plants ahead of harvest. For the most part sunflower prices are following CBoT soyoil values. Soyoil prices slid after last week’s bearish USDA report, which raised soybean yield estimates to a record 50.6 bushels per acre, the highest in 10 years, according to some estimates. The USDA estimate of production and yields were more than even the most bearish trade guess. In a separate report, Farm Service Agency data suggested soybean acres could go even higher than previously estimated adding more momentum to the downward price spiral.  On the positive side, talk that a European Union court overruled the ban of Argentine soyoil for biofuel use may help US soyoil prices. This could reduce the amount of soyoil shipped to the US from Argentina thus finding a home for more domestic soyoil. Last week the Obama Administration launched a new trade action against China at the WTO concerning excessive government support provided to wheat, corn and rice farmers. This may raise market concerns about Chinese reaction and could offer some price resistance and is worth monitoring in the weeks ahead. Sunflower harvest should be starting soon as many acres have already been desiccated and are just waiting for drier weather for harvest to begin.
Weekly Prices Recorded on Tuesday, September 19, 2016 ($/CWT)
  Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2016 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil Nearby 26.50 32.31 32.83 +.52 33.08
Fargo, ND NuSun 16.30 17.50 17.55 +.05 17.55
Enderlin, ND NuSun 16.60 17.75 17.70 -.05 17.70
Goodland, KS NuSun 16.10 16.90 16.65 -.25 16.65
Goodland, KS High Oleic 18.10 18.10 18.50 +.40 18.65
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 Tuesday, September 19, 2016
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)
  Last Year Last Week This Week Change
Soybean Oil 25.25 30.63 31.08 +.45
Cotton Oil (psby) 43.50 42.38 41.98 -.40
Corn Oil 44.50 46.00 46.00 NC
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