Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Jul 28 2025

Crop Progress - Monday, July 28, 2025

State	This Week	Last Week	Last Year	5 Year Average
North Dakota
Blooming	25	10	8	19
South Dakota
Blooming	3	0	2	--
Texas
Harvested	29	22	31	29

Crop Conditions - Monday, July 28, 2025

State	Timeframe	Very Poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
North Dakota	This week	0	5	30	60	5
	Last week	0	3	31	62	4
Minnesota	This week	0	1	15	80	4
	Last week	0	3	12	81	4
Colorado	This week	1	1	25	67	6
	Last week	1	0	20	76	3
South Dakota	This week	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	Last week	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA

Examine crop for rust

Rust is most often found on the lower under-side of leaves. The pustules are cinnamon-red and readily recognizable. Yield loss can occur, and control measures should be considered when rust reaches approximately 1% severity on the upper four leaves and the plant is in the vegetative stages until it reaches the R6 stage. An infestation on the upper leaves at R6 or later will not likely have a negative yield affect. Fortunately, rust can be managed with well-timed fungicide applications. To learn more about rust, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/diseases/rust-damage-and-control/

Markets

Old crop sunflower prices were unchanged to up 35 cents with new crop prices unchanged this week. Currently weather conditions are mostly favorable for sunflower development in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Traders are paying more attention to the Black Sea region as an extended period of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation is a growing concern to sunflower production in the region. Weather conditions have stressed sunflower production in Ukraine, southern Russia, and parts of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey. Oil World recently mentioned that its production estimates for Russia of 19.4 million metric tons (MMT) and Ukraine 14.0 MMT may be too high given current growing conditions. Oil World lowered production prospects in the European Union and Turkey from earlier estimates. The Hamburg, Germany publication notes that there is risk for more significant damage if much needed moisture is not received soon. July is the critical month for sunflowers in this region. Oil World pegged 25/26 global sunflower production at 60.3 MMT, which is higher than USDA’s estimate of 56.3 MMT. The situation bears watching as Russia and Ukraine are the largest exporters of sunflower oil. The potential reduced availability of sunflower seed and oil production poses risks for global markets and prices will be responsive to potential production shortfalls.

Start scouting for banded sunflower moth and red sunflower seed weevil

As sunflower fields begin to bloom, adults of red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) will be emerging and will fly to the nearest flowering sunflowers. RRSW are small (2.5 to 3.1 mm long) with a snout and are reddish orange. Banded sunflower moth (BSM) can be identified by their small size (1/4 inch long) and forewings with a triangular, dark brown band across the middle of the wing. Once the decision to treat has been made, it is critical to time the spray application correctly to get effective management of all sunflower head insects, including RRSW, BSM, sunflower moth and Lygus bug. The best sunflower plant stage to treat is when the majority of plants are in the R5.1 growth stge. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/Insects/ to read more about scouting for insects and the best treatments. To see the insecticides registered in sunflower, visit www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/north-dakota-field-crop-insect-management-guide

Grower Report

Kennedy, Minnesota grower Tom Dowdle says the weather has been hot, humid and smoky along with several days of fog recently. His area has received some rain but not as much as places south of him. His sunflowers are lush green with a great stand and are currently at the bud stage. He has not seen any insect or disease issues.

Upcoming Events

August 7, 2025 - NSA High Plains Committee Meeting
January 7-8, 2026 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND

Markets at a Glance

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, July 28, 2025 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2025 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	42.84	56.07	56.52	+.45	55.97
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	17.50	28.00	28.35	+.35	21.75
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	17.25	28.25	28.25	NC	22.00
Lamar, CO	High Oleic	17.50	28.00	28.00	NC	NQ

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, July 28, 2025
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	45.84	55.07	55.52	+.45
Cotton Oil (pbsy)	67.84	81.07	81.52	+.45
Corn Oil	52.00	56.00	56.00	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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