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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Sep 04 2018

Crop Progress

Sunflowers in North Dakota are well ahead of schedule; 83 percent of the crop is reported in petals dry stage, ahead of the average of 57 percent. 70 percent of the North Dakota sunflower crop is rated in good to excellent condition.

Crop Progress - Tuesday, September 4, 2018  State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Petals Dry 83 67 68 57 Bracts Yellow 58 34 32 --- Mature 14 4 3 --- Texas         Harvested 60 59 43 37

Crop Conditions - Tuesday, September 4, 2018 State Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota 0 7 23 66 4 Minnesota 1 3 34 51 11 Colorado 1 1 27 67 4

Palmer Amaranth Confirmed in North Dakota

Laboratory analysis confirmed that a plant found in a row crop field in McIntosh County in southcentral North Dakota is Palmer amaranth Amaranthus palmeri). It is the first time the weed has been found in North Dakota. Palmer amaranth is pigweed that originated in the desert region of the southwestern U.S. and has spread to the Mississippi Delta before invading Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, as well as other states. The plant in McIntosh County likely came from seeds dropped by migratory birds. Identifying Palmer amaranth can be difficult because it resembles redroot pigweed, Powell amaranth, and waterhemp. One of the best ways to distinguish Palmer amaranth from the other pigweed family plants is its leaf stem, or petiole. Palmer amaranth’s petiole is as long as or longer than the leaf blade. Another characteristic is Palmer amaranth’s distinctive, long, snaky seed heads. The seed heads can grow up to 2 feet long. To learn more about Palmer amaranth, including control strategies click here.

USDA Provides Help with Blackbirds

As sunflowers ripen, blackbirds are beginning to appear and cause problems. The USDA can help; click here for a map with phone numbers for USDA Wildlife Services personnel that can help North Dakota producers who have blackbird problems. Some other ways to reduce damage include cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants, and repellants. They are even more effective when used together.

Benefits of Desiccation

Now is a great time to start thinking about desiccating your sunflower crop. Getting the crop harvested several weeks early can result in higher yields and lower drying costs. Late season crop damage and blackbird damage can be reduced and desiccation may also slow down head diseases such as Sclerotinia. Early dry down can also minimize artificial drying costs. September and the first half of October harvest can often allow the use of air-drying to lower seed moisture in storage. To learn more about desiccation, click here.

Upcoming Events

January 9-10, 2019 - NSA Research Forum, Holiday Inn, Fargo, ND

The US and Mexico reached a preliminary NAFTA trade pact last week, and the Trump administration gave Canada until the end of the week to resolve outstanding differences on a new NAFTA deal. Both US and Mexican officials have vowed to press on with their deal even if Canada can't resolve differences with the US. Having a NAFTA agreement in place would be good news for sunflower products as oil, meal, in-shell seed and kernel have duty free access in Canada and Mexico. Canada is the largest export market for US sunflower oil and sunflower kernel. Mexico is the second largest export market for in-shell seed and kernel. Nearby seed prices at the crush plants continue to trade close to the 60-day moving average. Mid-August through September is the critical time frame for sunflowers. Buyers will be anxiously watch crop production prospects before making longer term purchases. 2018 US sunflower production is still undetermined and will not be known until this fall. In its first estimate, USDA pegged U.S. sunflower production to decrease 4 percent in 2018/19 to 2.08 billion pounds. Most of the reduction is anticipated for non-oil type sunflower due to lower planted acres with oil-type production virtually unchanged. In October, USDA will provide an updated estimate for oil and non-oil sunflower production.  These reports and demand news will set the tone for new crop sunflower price direction in the near term.

Weekly Prices Recorded on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 ($/CWT)   Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2018 NEW Crop Chicago Oil Nearby 35.10 28.37 28.39 +.02 28.78 Fargo, ND NuSun 17.45 17.30 17.30 NC 17.30 Fargo, ND High Oleic 17.45 17.35 17.40 +.05 17.40 Enderlin, ND NuSun 17.30 17.40 17.40 NC 17.25 Enderlin, ND High Oleic NQ 17.40 17.40 NC 17.25 Goodland, KS NuSun 17.45 16.35 16.35 NC 17.05 Goodland, KS High Oleic 18.45 17.35 17.35 NC 18.20 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 4, 2018 (dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)   Last Year Last Week This Week Change Soybean Oil 33.69 27.87 28.03 +.16 Cotton Oil (psby) 35.31 27.37 27.53 +.16 Corn Oil 37.50 32.00 30.00 -2.00