Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 25 2021

2021 Research Presentations Available Online

If you were not able to attend this year’s NSA Research Forum you can still learn about the latest sunflower research. Power Point Presentations of all the reports given at the forum can now be found on the NSA website under the research tab. Visit 2021 (sunflowernsa.com) to see this year's presentations. For a historical look, all the presentations dating back to 2008 are available there as well. Researchers from North and South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, Texas and Iowa presented papers and posters on their work.

NSA Scholarship Available

The National Sunflower Association is seeking applicants for the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship. In tribute to the dedicated work of Curtis Stern, an industry advocate and former NSA board member, the NSA Board of Directors established a memorial scholarship in his name. Funds assist students who study in the field of agriculture with a special emphasis on sunflower production, promotion, or research. Preference will be given to students who are in their last two years of undergraduate studies or in graduate level studies and have maintained at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0=A scale. Application deadline is April 1, 2021. A total of $5,000 is available for the scholarship this year. Applications can be submitted online. Visit www.ndcf.net/receive/scholarships/stern.html learn more. Contact Tina Mittelsteadt at tinam@sunflowernsa.com with any questions.

Nominations invited for NSA Gold Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 NSA Gold Award. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/all-about/goldaward/ for the eligibility and criteria requirements. Nominations must be received by February 12, 2021. This award is considered to be the highest award that the NSA presents to individuals. The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a winner. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 22-24 in Duluth, MN.

Markets

The rally in sunflower prices cooled off last week as pressure from falling soybean and soy product values spilled over to other oilseeds. Nearby prices were down 20 to 30 cents. 2021 new crop was down 25 to 30 cents for the week. At ND crush plants the current NuSun new crop cash prices are $19.90 with high oleic at $20.15. Last year at this same time new crop prices at the crush plants were in a range of $18.75-$18.90 for NuSun with high oleic at $19.25-$19.40. In the High Plains, current NuSun new crop AOG price is $18.65 with high oleic at $19.65. Last year at this same time new crop prices were $18.70 for NuSun with high oleic at $19.50. USDA released its latest estimate of the 2020 US sunflower crop last week. USDA estimated United States production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 2.62 billion pounds, representing an increase of 48 percent from 2019 and represents the largest oil-type production since the 2016 crop, setting a new record high average yield of 1,802 pounds per acre. In addition, USDA lowered old crop oil-type sunflower stocks in all positions by 18.4 million pounds, down 8 percent from its September grain stocks report. Traders will continue to digest these figures and set market direction in the weeks ahead. Harvest is underway in South America. This will have the trade keeping close tabs on weather conditions, yield and production forecasts.