Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jan 22 2024

New record high sunflower yields set in 2023

According to USDA a new record high yield for oil sunflower was set in North Dakota at 1,970 pounds per acre during the 2023 growing season topping the previous high of 1,900 pounds set last year. Record high yields for non-oil sunflower were also established in Minnesota at 2,400, North Dakota at 2,090 and South Dakota 2,400 pounds per acre respectively. The old record non-oil sunflower highs were set in 2022 for Minnesota and North Dakota and 2016 in South Dakota.

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

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.

Markets

Nearby and new crop prices have remained unchanged at the crush plants for the past two weeks. USDA has 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. 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. 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. Traders will continue to digest these figures and set market direction in the weeks ahead.

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