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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Aug 14 2023

Crop Progress - Monday, August 14, 2023 State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Blooming 83 54 73 82 Petals Dry 5 -- 3 7 South Dakota         Blooming 70 39 -- -- Texas         Harvested NA 40 41 37

Crop Conditions - Monday, August 14, 2023 State Timeframe Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota This week 1 4 29 58 8   Last week 1 3 34 59 3 Minnesota This week 0 1 45 54 0   Last week 0 1 47 52 0 Colorado This week 0 0 8 75 17   Last week 0 0 4 80 16 South Dakota This week 2 5 41 43 9   Last week 2 6 50 41 1

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

Nearby sunflower prices were down 25 cents to unchanged this week at the crush plants. New crop prices slid 55 cents to $1.25 lower as the market has begun to transition toward the 2023/24 market year. August 11th was a huge day for commodity markets as USDA released its latest supply and demand report and first report of FSA certified acres. USDA trimmed new crop soybean production average yield by a bushel to 50.9 bpa, which dropped projected new crop production to 4.205 billion bushels. Both changes were within analysts' pre-report estimate range. USDA boosted old crop soybean ending stocks to 260 million bushels (mb), which was on the high end of analyst estimates. USDA raised beginning stocks for the 2023-24 season by 5 mb. On the demand side, USDA lowered exports by 25 mb, dropping total use correspondingly. The net result was a 55 mb decline in ending stocks to 245 mb, which was also within the range of pre-report estimates.  USDA Farm Service Agency released its initial reported acres figures this week for all crops. Oil-type sunflower planted acreage was pegged at 1.14 million acres with confection acres at 149,400. The figures were within the average trade estimates. FSA will update the acreage report in mid-September. USDA will provide their initial yield and production estimates for 2023 oil-type and confection sunflower crops in October.

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

August 17, 2023 - NSA High Plains Committee Meeting; Goodland, KS January 10-11, 2024 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND June 25-27, 2024 - NSA Summer Seminar; Duluth, MN

Markets at a Glance

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, August 14, 2023 ($/CWT)   Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2023 NEW Crop Chicago Oil Nearby 67.44 66.66 66.32 -.34 61.15 West Fargo, ND NuSun 27.50 19.30 19.30 NC 19.30 West Fargo, ND High Oleic 32.80 19.80 19.80 NC 20.25 Enderlin, ND NuSun 27.50 19.30 19.30 NC 19.75 Enderlin, ND High Oleic 32.75 19.80 19.80 NC 20.25 Lamar, CO High Oleic 35.00 20.25 20.00 -.25 21.70

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, August 14, 2023 (dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)   Last Year Last Week This Week Change Soybean Oil 77.94 70.58 71.55 +.97 Cotton Oil (pbsy) 118.94 99.08 100.05 +.97 Corn Oil 141.00 76.00 76.00 NC 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.

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