The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources request for Vertento use on sunflowers to control resistant Red Sunflower Seed Weevils. The Section 18 Emergency Exemption will be effective during the growing season from July 15 through August 31, 2026. To remain in compliance with EPA pesticide regulations, applicators must have a copy of the approved Section 18 Emergency Exemption label in their possession at the time of application and follow all label directions and restrictions. For more information: https://extension.sdstate.edu/vertentor-insecticide-approved-red-sunflower-seed-weevil-management

The moth activity in sunflowers continues to increase in central South Dakota. Check out the weekly sunflower pest updates from the SDSU Entomology team for the latest pest monitoring information: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sunflower-pest-recap

Old crop sunflower prices were unchanged to up $1.50 with new crop prices unchanged to up 20 cents at the crush plants this week. In the past three weeks nearby prices have seen an increase of $2.00-$2.15 per cwt. at the ND crush plants. Last week, USDA issued its initial outlook for 2026 sunflower production and usage for the 2026/27 marketing year. Beginning stocks were estimated at 324 million pounds. The initial yield estimate for all sunflower types was 1,775 pounds per acre. This is lower than the 2025 yield of 1,863 pounds but higher than the five-year average yield of 1,721 pounds. Oil-type sunflower harvested acreage is expected to be 3% higher and non-oil sunflower harvested acres 25% higher than last year. Total sunflower seed production was pegged at 2.31 billion pounds which is slightly lower than 2025. Despite the higher oil-type acreage, sunflower seed crush was decreased by 40 million pounds to 952 million pounds on slightly lower 2026 production. The other use category (nonoil use and residual) was increased by 82 million pounds to 2.07 billion pounds. Ending stocks are forecast to rise to 359 million pounds, a 11% increase from MY 2025/26 but well below the five-year average. USDA will provide their updated yield and production estimates for sunflowers in October.

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