Search

Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Aug 24 2020

Crop Progress

North Dakota's sunflower are nearly done blooming, with 96% of the crop reported bloomign this week and 6% in the bracts yellow stage. Harvest continues in Texas.

Crop Progress - Monday, August 24, 2020 State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Blooming 96 91 91 --- Petals Dry 33 9 16 35 Bracts Yellow 6 --- 1 --- Texas         Harvested 44 41 45 39

Crop Conditions - Monday, August 24, 2020 State Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota 1 4 29 62 4 Minnesota 3 5 20 65 7 Colorado 7 28 46 19 ---

USDA Provides Help with Blackbirds

Sunflowers are blooming and it is never too early to think about blackbird control. Local birds cause a large amount of damage as petals begin to dry and drop (R6 stage). Be proactive early on to minimize seed loss, do not wait for the buildup of large flocks. For a map with phone numbers for those USDA Wildlife Services personnel that can help North Dakota producers who have blackbird problems, click here. Some other ways to reduce damage include cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants, and repellants. These tools are even more effective when used together. For more on blackbirds, click here.

Grower Report

It’s been a wet summer in Crookston, Minnesota and Kevin Capistran says his sunflower crop has tremendous potential, providing diseases stay away. Capistran says his 550 acres of sunflowers are nearing the end of their bloom and beginning to drop petals. He says his ‘flowers could use a few hot and dry days, but he’s optimistic about harvesting a good crop in a few months.

Markets

The 2020 US sunflower crop continues to progress at a faster pace after a slow start this spring. Very warm to hot temperatures along with drier soil conditions are pushing the crop toward maturity in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Most of the crop in these states is considered in good to excellent condition. Crop conditions in Colorado have improved slightly in the past two weeks however drought is affecting the crop with most of it in only fair condition.  Birdfood prices have remained mostly stable after a run up in late July to early August. Birdfood bids are trading at $25.00-$30.00 in South Dakota. North Dakota birdfood prices were trading for as much as $21.00-$22.50 in some locations. Seed prices have been generally steady in the High Plains states. U.S.-China trade relations have CBoT traders on edge again with President Trump saying that he recently canceled trade talks with China. China is not currently on pace to match its phase-one commitments in 2020, although it has made a recent flurry of grain purchases throughout late July and early August. Despite the recent large Chinese purchases, the size of the U.S. crop is outshining export sales. Some market analysts think the supply situation will continue to keep pressure on the grain markets with potentially very large corn and soybean crops this fall. The key to oilseed prices going forward will be U.S. summer weather and demand news.