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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Aug 22 2016

Crop Progress

Sunflowers continue to bloom in South Dakota and Kansas, but petals are already starting to dry in North Dakota and Kansas, and growers in Texas are 20% done with sunflower harvest. More than 70% of North Dakota's sunflowers are reported in good to excellent condition; the same is true in Colorado and Kansas.

Crop Progress - Monday, August 22, 2016 State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Petals Dry 43 8 24 15 South Dakota         Blooming 77 71 88 86 Texas         Harvested 20 15 35 22 Kansas         Blooming 81 71 71 74 Petals Dry 6 NA 8 16

Crop Conditions - Monday, August 22, 2016 State Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota 1 4 22 67 6 South Dakota 2 7 38 51 2 Minnesota 2 3 37 50 8 Colorado 0 3 24 65 8 Kansas 0 2 29 63 6

Monitor for Sunflower Rust

Heavy and frequent dews, combined with warm temperatures, have provided a favorable environment for sunflower rust in North Dakota. So it is important producers keep an eye on sunflower this time of year. Confection sunflower tend to be more susceptible to rust than oilseeds, however there are distinct resistant differences among hybrids; some are resistant and some are susceptible. If rust is found on the top of the canopy (the top four fully-expanded sunflower leaves) at 1% severity or higher in R5 (bloom) a fungicide application may be warranted. By R6 (flowering is complete) research trials have shown no benefit to a fungicide application. For more on sunflower rust, click here.

Reducing Blackbird Damage

Petals are beginning to drop on sunflower, and that means it is time to start thinking about blackbirds. Research finds that as much as half of the blackbird damage to ripening sunflower happens in the first two weeks after petal drop. These are blackbirds that have been reared locally and are in the process of developing their long range flying feathers. That makes these birds difficult to move, but there are ways to lower damage, including cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants, and repellants. These can be even more effective when used in combination. For more on blackbird control, click here.

August/September Issue of The Sunflower Coming Soon

Be watching your mailbox for the August/September 2016 issue of our magazine, The Sunflower.  It should be arriving soon. The first issue of the 2016-17 publishing year features a summary of this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, Mike Krueger’s market column, a look at header attachments and conversion kits for sunflower harvest, and much more. And, if you haven’t signed up for a digital copy of the magazine, now is a great time to do that. Visit our website, click  on “EPublications” and follow the directions on your screen. Once you sign up, be watching your email for your copy!

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

Sunflower prices continued to rally at the North Dakota crush plants this week adding 60-80 cents per hundredweight. Since the July low old crop NuSun prices have now added $1.80 per hundredweight at the crush plants setting a new high for this year.   CBoT soyoil values have been gaining on meal and this has been positive for sunflower prices. Oil has rallied on renewed buying interest from major players such as China and India. New crop prices have also followed the recent oil rally. This week a new high was set at $18.50. This is $2.00 per hundredweight higher than when initially announced last fall in the Northern Plains. Taking into account oil premiums that are offered at the crush plants on oil content above 40% at a rate of 2% price premium for each 1% of oil above 40%; this pushes a $18.50 contract with 45% oil content gross return over $20.00 per cwt. Crushers are still offering 2016 new crop NuSun and high oleic sunflower contracts. The weather forecast continues to feature generally favorable conditions throughout the Midwest with no significant hot and dry conditions during the next ten days. Weather conditions will be key going forward as August is the most important month for oilseed crops. The market will continue to trade weather and demand news this week.

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, August 22, 2016 ($/CWT)   Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2016 NEW Crop Chicago Oil Nearby 26.55 32.31 33.89 +1.68 34.31 Fargo, ND NuSun 17.15 18.10 18.45 +.35 18.40 Enderlin, ND NuSun NQ 18.10 18.40 +.30 18.40 Goodland, KS NuSun 16.75 16.95 16.90 -.05 17.60 Goodland, KS High Oleic 18.75 17.95 17.90 -.05 19.35 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, August 22, 2016 (dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)   Last Year Last Week This Week Change Soybean Oil 26.05 31.46 32.14 +.68 Cotton Oil (psby) 43.55 43.21 43.89 +.68 Corn Oil 44.50 46.00 46.00 NC