Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Aug 12 2024

Crop Progress - Monday, August 12, 2024

State	This Week	Last Week	Last Year	5 Year Average
North Dakota
Blooming	53	19	75	73
South Dakota
Blooming	55	11	61	--
Texas
Harvested	NA	40	45	43

Crop Conditions - Monday, August 12, 2024

State	Timeframe	Very Poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
North Dakota	This week	0	1	28	68	3
	Last week	0	1	29	67	3
Minnesota	This week	0	1	25	56	18
	Last week	0	2	27	47	24
Colorado	This week	24	26	17	29	4
	Last week	8	30	35	25	2
South Dakota	This week	0	4	20	73	3
	Last week	0	4	22	65	9

Monitor for Phomopsis Stem Canker

With the sporadic rains, it is important to scout for Phomopsis stem canker and other sunflower diseases. For Phomopsis stem canker, a light to dark colored lesion develops on the stem, and a possible discoloration on the sunflower head. Mathew’s lab at North Dakota State University is needing sunflower plant samples that are suspected of Phomopsis stem canker. Using culture techniques and DNA-based assays, the fungus causing Phomopsis stem canker will be determined. For information on how to send samples, please contact Febina Mathew (febina.mathew@ndsu.edu). The address to send samples (only diseased stem and/or head rot) is Febina Mathew, NDSU Plant Pathology Dept., 1402 Albrecht Blvd., 306 Walster Hall, Fargo, ND 58102. For more on Phomopsis stem canker or other sunflower diseases, visit https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/publications/sunflower-disease-diagnostic-series

Markets

The markets have been ugly and extremely volatile for most crops since early July. Sunflower prices on the other hand have been quietly picking up steam. Old crop High Oleic prices have added $2.20 to $4.50 per hundredweight since the March low at the crush plants. Nearby High Oleic prices are currently in a range of $17.25-$17.90 with October prices at $18.00 to $20.00 at the crush plants. Something else to add to these prices is the oil premiums that are paid on sunflower. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Oil premiums 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%. For example, a $18.25 contract with 45% oil content results in a 10% price premium which pushes gross return over $20.00 per cwt. Today will be a huge day for commodity markets as USDA will release its latest supply and demand reports and first report of FSA certified acres. The FSA figures will be compared to the USDA June acreage report and will give the market a better idea of what got planted this year. This data and weather conditions will guide traders in the coming weeks. Normal to above normal temperatures are expected for the next two weeks in the sunflower growing region which will help with crop development.

Examine crop for rust

Rust is most often found on the lower under-side of leaves. The pustules are cinnamon-red and readily recognizable. Yield loss can occur, and control measures should be considered when rust reaches approximately 1% severity on the upper four leaves and the plant is in the vegetative stages until it reaches the R6 stage. An infestation on the upper leaves at R6 or later will not likely have a negative yield affect. Fortunately, rust can be managed with well-timed fungicide applications. To learn more about rust, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/diseases/rust-damage-and-control/

Continue Scouting for Insects

With sunflower fields blooming IPM scouts have observed increasing numbers of red sunflower seed weevils (RSSW), banded sunflower moth (BSM) and Arthuri sunflower moths (SM) in the last week and are at economic thresholds for control in some locations. See maps on NDSU’s IPM website: Sunflower Insect Trap — ND IPM (ndsu.edu) Severe infestations of RSSW and moths can be very damaging to the sunflower head and result in seed loss. Once the decision to treat has been made, it is critical to time the spray application correctly to get effective management of all sunflower head insects including RSSW, BSM, SM, and Lygus bug. The best sunflower plant stage to treat is when the majority of plants are in the R5.1 growth stage. To read more about scouting for insects and the best treatments, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/Insects/.

Upcoming Events

January 8-9, 2025 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND
June 24-26, 2025 - NSA Summer Seminar; Bismarck, ND

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, August 12, 2024 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2024 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	66.32	41.04	41.61	+.57	40.47
West Fargo, ND	NuSun	19.30	NQ	NQ	NC	NQ
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	19.80	17.50	17.75	+.25	18.25
Enderlin, ND	NuSun	19.30	NQ	NQ	NC	NQ
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	19.80	17.25	17.25	NC	18.00
Lamar, CO	High Oleic	20.00	17.90	17.90	NC	20.00

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, August 12, 2024
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	71.55	44.04	44.61	+.57
Cotton Oil (pbsy)	100.05	66.04	66.61	+.57
Corn Oil	76.00	52.00	52.00	NC

Prices recorded here are believed to be reliable at the time of posting. Individual companies have the right to correct any errors that may occur. Contact these facilities for complete market details.

NSA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Anyone requesting special accommodation should notify NSA within a reasonable timeframe. NSA will accommodate reasonable requests.