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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 02 2018

Register to Attend the NSA Research Forum

The National Sunflower Association’s 40th Annual Sunflower Research Forum is next week. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, Iowa State University, and more will present their findings on sunflower studies they have conducted. Topics will range from diseases, insects, irrigation, blackbirds, and more. The forum is set for January 10-11, 2018 at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo, ND. The forum is an annual event designed to learn about research, promote discussion, and stimulate creative thinking. For more information and to register, click here.  You’ll find hotel information there as well. Registration is now $145 and will be $170 at the door.

Dr. Michael A. Grusak to Speak at NSA Research Forum

Dr. Michael A. Grusak will be the noon speaker at this year’s NSA Research Forum, scheduled for next week. Dr. Grusak is the director of USDA-ARS Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center in Fargo, ND. He will talk about sunflower research being conducted at the center.

Production Guides for Sunflower Available on NSA Website

It’s never too early to start thinking about spring planting. Our Sunflower Production Resource books have lots of helpful information. Click here to access them all online. Check out the Sunflower Production Resource Book for your area. The book provides guidelines and recommendations on production practices, pest identification, field selection, and more.

Markets

Historically, grain markets tend to turn quiet the week before and after the Holidays.  This year was no exception as prices traded sideways in the past week, and is unlikely to change unless something happens with NAFTA or other news this week. Old and new crop sunflower prices have been stuck in a trading range for the last two weeks. Sunflower prices at the crush plants ended the week mixed at unchanged to up 10 cents. Nearby prices continue to trade $3.00-$3.65 per cwt. higher this year versus last year at this time. A year ago, harvest pressure and heavy producer selling caused prices to crash and nearby sunflower prices were trading in range of $14.00-$14.45 at the crush plants. It is very possible that the market low has already been established and prices will remain relatively firm for the foreseeable future. The market is anxiously awaiting four major USDA reports that will be released in early January: a world supply and demand update, the final numbers for 2017 crop production and yields, a quarterly stocks report and the winter wheat seedings report. The winter wheat report might be the most interesting to traders because that starts the discussion about how many acres of what crops producers are going to plant in 2018. So, until these reports are out, expect slow trade in the near term.