Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: Feb 26 2024
NDSU Sunflower Production Guide
ndsu sf production guideDo you have the handy NDSU Extension Sunflower Production Guide in your glovebox? This NDSU publication has long been called the ‘sunflower bible’ since it was first published in 1975. The 178-page publication is full of four-color pictures of the major insects and diseases for ease in identification.  The guide is directed primarily toward sunflower production in the Northern Great Plains of the United States; however, it is relevant to other production areas.  The publication can be viewed on our website. Click here to view. NSA will provide one complimentary copy to sunflower growers.  To obtain your complimentary copy email: info@sunflowernsa.com.  Please include your name and complete mailing address.  The Sunflower Production Guide is also available for sale from the NSA’s online catalog for $15 including shipping. Click here to order
High Plains Sunflower Production Meetings
The NSA High Plains Sunflower Committee is hosting sunflower production meetings on Tuesday March 12 at the Fourwinds Golf Course, 958 Hwy 56, Hugoton, KS and Wednesday March 13 at the Burlington Community Center, 340 S. 14 th St, Burlington, CO. Times at both sites will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Topics will include Sunflower weed control strategies, Insect and disease strategies, Market updates, and Controlling weeds with robots. Attendees can register online at www.northwest.ksu.edu/events or by contacting Ron Meyer, CSU Extension Specialist at (719) 346-5571.  The meetings are free of charge and will be available in-person or via Zoom.  When registering by phone, if your choice is to attend remotely provide your email address and you will be sent a Zoom link.  CCA credits will be available for attendees. 
Markets
Old and new crop prices were unchanged at the crush plants this week. The crop insurance price discovery process continues for 2024 crop insurance price elections. Oil type sunflowers are $23.80, and confections are $28.80 per cwt. both are down 20 cents from last week. To follow sunflower price election trends, watch the 2024 CBoT December soyoil contract through February 29. Final price elections will be announced in early March. Traders are anxiously awaiting USDA’s release of its Prospective Plantings Report on March 28. Until the report is out South American weather and crop production estimates along with the acreage debate should dominate the direction the market takes. USDA updated its statistical guesses at its recent Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA pegged soybean acres at 87.5 million acres, which would be 3.9 million more acres than 2023.  USDA expects lower corn acres for the 2024/25 crop year with 91 million acres planted which is 3.6 million acres less than 2023. Total wheat planted acres are projected at 47.0 million acres, down nearly 2.6 million acres from the 2023/24 crop. Most market watchers expect sunflower acres to decrease in 2024 given the carryover of large seed stocks from the past two years. The market needs time to use up the ample seed supply and this is being reflected in the price spread between nearby and deferred contracts. The first estimate of 2024 sunflower acres will be in the USDA March Planting Intentions report.
Proper spring grain drying and storage critical
As outdoor temperatures increase, stored grain requires attention to prevent losses, says Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and grain drying expert. The stored grain temperature increases in the spring not only due to an increase in outdoor temperatures but also due to solar heat gain on the bin. Solar energy produces more than twice as much heat gain on the south wall of a bin in early spring as it does during the summer.  Here are some recommendations from Hellevang:
  • Run aeration fans periodically to keep the grain temperature near or below 30 degrees until the grain is dried if it exceeds recommended storage moisture contents, and below 40 degrees as long as possible during spring and early summer if it is dry.
  • Cover the fan when it is not operating to prevent warm air from blowing into the bin and heating the stored grain. He also recommends ventilating the top of the bin to remove the solar heat gain that warms the grain. Provide air inlets near the eaves and exhausts near the peak or use a roof exhaust fan.
  • Bin vents can become blocked with frost and ice when the fan is operated at temperatures near or below freezing, which may lead to damage to the roof. Leave the fill and access door open as a pressure relief valve when operating the fan at temperatures near or below freezing.
  • The natural air-drying for oil sunflowers requires an airflow rate of 0.75 cfm/bu for up to 15 percent moisture. The drying should start when outdoor temperatures average about 40 degrees. Visit Drying & Storing Sunflowers (sunflowernsa.com) for more tips.
Upcoming Events
February 27, 2024 - Getting-it-Right in Sunflower Production, Zoom Conference
June 25-27, 2024 - NSA Summer Seminar; Duluth, MN
Markets at a Glance
Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, February 26, 2024 ($/CWT)
  Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2024 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil Nearby 60.44 45.41 44.40 -1.01 44.74
West Fargo, ND NuSun 22.15 NQ NQ NC NQ
West Fargo, ND High Oleic 22.75 NQ NQ NC 19.25
Enderlin, ND NuSun 22.70 13.50 13.50 NC NQ
Enderlin, ND High Oleic 23.20 13.75 13.75 NC 19.00
Lamar, CO High Oleic 24.50 15.70 15.70 NC 20.00
U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, February 26, 2024
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)
  Last Year Last Week This Week Change
Soybean Oil 65.34 48.41 48.02 -.39
Cotton Oil (pbsy) 105.34 70.41 70.02 -.39
Corn Oil 96.00 61.00 61.00 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.
 
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