Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: Feb 28 2022
NDSU Sunflower Production Guide
ndsu production guide
The NDSU Extension Bulletin (A1995) has been updated and the Sunflower Production Guide is now available.  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. 
2022 South Dakota Pest Management Guides
SDSU Extension has released the 2022 South Dakota Pest Management Guides. Available for free on the SDSU Extension website, the guides provide updated recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in sunflower. In addition, Pest Management Guides provide a comprehensive index of what pesticides are labeled for South Dakota fields.
ARC and PLC Enrollment Deadline is March 15
Farmers, 2022 safety-net program enrollment ends on March 15! If you fail to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage programs, you will be ineligible to receive a payment for the 2022 crop year should one trigger. Give your local USDA Farm Service Agency a call today. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/arcplc_program/.
Markets
Old crop NuSun prices were up 45 cents to $1.15 with high oleic up 35 to 50 cents this week. New crop NuSun prices were up 50 cents to $1.00 with high oleic up 25 cents to $1.10. The price discovery period for crop insurance for sunflower ends today. The price election for oil type sunflowers is expected to be around $32.40 with confections at $40.50 per cwt. This is an increase of 30 cents for oils and 40 cents for confections from last week. Last year at this same time, oil type sunflowers were at $22.00, and confections were $27.30 per cwt. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine roiled markets. Russia and Ukraine are global crop heavyweights with the two countries accounting for a large portion of global wheat exports, corn supplies, and sunflower oil exports. Traders are worried that the invasion will impact crop movement and trigger a mass scramble by importers to seek alternative shipments. Global edible oil markets were already under pressure leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after top palm oil producer Indonesia restricted its exports after production shortfalls due to labor shortages and supply chain issues. Soyoil supplies are currently at the sixth-tightest level on record and continue to tighten further as soybean production estimates in South America continue to dwindle following a La Niña-induced drought. The U.S. and Canada stand to gain from the Black Sea trade disruptions so look for volatile markets in the days ahead.
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
  • March 10, 2022 - NSA High Plains Committee Meeting; Goodland, KS
  • June 28-30, 2022 NSA Summer Seminar; Grand Forks, ND
Markets at a Glance
Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, February 28, 2022 ($/CWT)
  Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2022 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil Nearby 50.77 70.15 72.89 +2.74 64.46
West Fargo, ND NuSun 20.85 31.50 32.65 +1.15 27.85
West Fargo, ND High Oleic 21.15 33.15 33.50 +.35 29.10
Enderlin, ND NuSun 20.75 32.20 32.65 +.45 27.55
Enderlin, ND High Oleic 20.85 32.70 33.15 +.45 28.15
Lamar, CO High Oleic 21.50 31.50 32.00 +.50 27.75
U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, February 28, 2022
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)
  Last Year Last Week This Week Change
Soybean Oil 51.77 79.15 81.89 +2.74
Cotton Oil (pbsy) 80.77 110.15 112.89 +2.74
Corn Oil 63.00 90.00 90.00 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.
nsa logo
NSA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Anyone requesting special accommodation should notify NSA within a reasonable timeframe. NSA will accommodate reasonable requests.
return to top of page

   More about Sunflower ►