Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 11 2021

2021 NSA Research Forum is this week

The National Sunflower Association’s 43^rd annual Sunflower Research Forum will be held Wednesday and Thursday, January 13-14 as a Zoom webinar. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Queensland, Australia, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Oklahoma will present their findings on sunflower studies they have conducted. Topics will cover everything from diseases, insects, irrigation, blackbirds, and more. This is an annual event designed to learn about research, promote discussion and stimulate creative thinking. It is not too late to attend; you can register until noon on Tuesday January 12! Visit 2021 NSA Research Forum (sunflowernsa.com) for more information.

2020 North Dakota Sunflower Variety Trial results and selection guide now online

The North Dakota Sunflower Trial Results for 2020 and selection guide are now available online. Producers can find data about hybrid performance throughout the state and information about yield and other information needed for accurate selection of sunflower hybrids for agricultural production in North Dakota. Find the guide here: North Dakota Sunflower Variety Trial Results for 2020 and Selection Guide — Publications (ndsu.edu)

Cover Your Acres conference is next week

The National Sunflower Association’s High Plains Committee is proud to be a sponsor of the 18th annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference for crop producers and consultants on January 19^th in an online format. Cover Your Acres is a producer-driven meeting focused on new ideas and research-based updates in crop production in northwest Kansas and the central High Plains region. To view the conference details and register visit: www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres

Markets

Sunflower prices continue to climb higher at the crush plants. Nearby prices were unchanged to up 50 cents last week. January prices are currently trading 25 cents to $1.00 higher than the 60 day moving average depending on location. 2021 new crop NuSun and High Oleic contracts added another 25 to 50 cents at the North Dakota crush plants with the High Plains adding 5 cents. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Considering 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 contract with 45% oil content gross return 10% higher per cwt. The AOG $19.40 contract increases to $21.35 and the cash $20.30 contract moves up to $22.30. On January 12, the USDA will issue an important monthly USDA report which will include updated US and World Supply and Demand tables, US Winter Wheat plantings, and Quarterly Stocks. In the report USDA, will release its latest estimate of 2020 sunflower production. Most traders expect USDA to leave yields and total production close to the October forecast due to the excellent harvest conditions producers had this past growing season. On the Chicago Board of Trade, trading has been driven by positioning ahead of this week’s USDA reports and South American news. The dry weather in South America has given prices a boost in recent weeks.