Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 16 2024

January issue of The Sunflower now available

The January 2024 issue of The Sunflower has been mailed and is also ready to read on our website at The Sunflower Magazine (sunflowernsa.com) This issue includes a look at using robots for weed control in Kansas, a status update of the 2024 Farm Bill, two producer profiles from Minnesota and North Dakota, feature on an Ontario producer that takes ‘Value Added’ to a new level and more.

NSA Research Forum attracts large audience

About 100 growers, industry representatives and researchers participated in the National Sunflower Association’s 46^th annual research forum January 10-11. Researchers presented papers and posters on their work. Attendees heard presentations on weeds, insects, disease, and new varieties of sunflower. All presentations will be uploaded to the NSA website in the next few weeks.

Nuseed to host Sunflower University

Mark your calendars! Bringing together the latest innovations and research to the sunflower community, Nuseed will be hosting Sunflower University Production Academy, in-person and virtually, February 15^th at the Bismarck Hotel & Convention Center, 800 S 3rd St in Bismarck, ND. This workshop will focus primarily on in-season production topics for a successful crop. Speakers will present from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm CST. For more information about Sunflower University Production Academy and to register, scan the QR code.

Markets

USDA released its latest estimate of the 2023 US sunflower crop with production decreasing from last year. According to USDA, 2023 sunflower production totaled 2.26 billion pounds, down 19 percent from 2022. The United States average yield of 1,786 pounds per acre increased 30 pounds from 2022. Planted area, at 1.32 million acres, was 22 percent below the previous year. Area harvested decreased 21 percent from 2022 to 1.27 million acres. USDA estimated United States production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 1.97 billion pounds, representing a decrease of 23 percent from 2022. Compared with last year, harvested acres were down 23 percent but the average yield increased by 2 pounds to 1,747 pounds per acre and represents the second highest yield on record for the U.S. The average yield for oil-type sunflower varieties in North Dakota set a record high at 1,970 pounds. Production of non-oil sunflower varieties was estimated at 297 million pounds, an increase of 23 percent from 2022. Area harvested, at 142,000 acres, was up 11 percent from 2022. The average yield increased by 206 pounds from 2022 to a new record high 2,090 pounds per acre. The 2023 average yield for non-oil sunflower varieties in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota were record highs. In its grain stocks report, USDA lowered old crop non-oil sunflower stocks in all positions by 1.3 million pounds from its September grain stocks report. Old crop oil-type sunflower stocks were left unchanged.

Nominations invited for NSA Gold Award

Every year, the National Sunflower Association presents its Gold Award to an individual who has contributed extraordinarily to the overall sunflower industry, either through his or her occupation or through the National Sunflower Association. This award is considered to be the highest award that the NSA presents to individuals. The award has been given since 1989. Some past Gold Award winners include John McLean, Larry Kleingartner, Duane Berglund, Sen. Mark Andrews, Chuck Moses, Jim Krogh, Gary Fick and Robert Majkrzak. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 NSA Gold Award. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/all-about/goldaward/ for the eligibility and criteria requirements. Nominations must be received by February 9, 2024. The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a recipient. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 25-27 in Duluth, MN.

’Getting It Right’ Sunflower Event Date Set

North Dakota State University’s Agricultural Extension Service has set the date for its next annual ‘Getting It Right’ sunflower production Zoom conference. The 2024 version will take place on Tuesday, February 27. Interested parties can get more information and/or register by visiting https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/getting-it-right. Several other resources can be found at this website as well, including the NDSU weed control, insect management and plant disease management guides.

Upcoming Events

January 16-17, 2024 - Cover Your Acres; Oberlin, KS
February 6-7, 2024 - High Plains No-Till Conference; Burlington, CO

Weekly Prices Recorded on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2024 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	63.84	47.44	47.25	-.19	46.78
West Fargo, ND	NuSun	21.50	NQ	NQ	NC	NQ
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	23.00	NQ	NQ	NC	19.50
Enderlin, ND	NuSun	NQ	NQ	NQ	NC	NQ
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	NQ	15.25	15.25	NC	19.50
Lamar, CO	High Oleic	26.25	17.00	16.70	-.30	NQ

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Tuesday, January 16, 2024
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	69.34	51.31	50.75	-.56
Cotton Oil (pbsy)	108.84	72.81	72.25	-.56
Corn Oil	111.00	62.00	62.00	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.