Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: Jul 31 2023
Crop Progress - Monday, July 31, 2023
State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average
North Dakota        
Blooming 23 12 23 37
South Dakota        
Blooming 20 1 -- --
Texas        
Harvested NA 25 29 29
Crop Conditions - Monday, July 31, 2023
State Timeframe Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent
North Dakota This week 2 5 39 51 3
  Last week 1 4 35 57 3
Minnesota This week 0 2 38 59 1
  Last week 0 1 16 79 4
Colorado This week 0 1 8 74 17
  Last week 0 0 9 70 21
South Dakota This week 2 6 50 41 1
  Last week 1 9 48 40 2
RSSW Management Workshop
NDSU and SDSU will host a joint workshop focused on red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) management at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm near Pierre, SD on August 10 at 1PM CDT. The workshop will provide information on biology, scouting and alternative pest management options - early planting of sunflowers to reduce RSSW damage to seeds. In addition, information will be provided from insecticide field efficacy trials for labeled and non-labeled foliar insecticides for RSSW control. Dakota Lakes Research Farm is located 17 miles east of Pierre on Highway 34.
Grower Report
Brighton, Colorado grower Tom Kirkmeyer says his sunflower crop looks good. They are currently in the R-1 stage.  He has seen no insect or disease issues but plans to spray for red seed weevil in the near future. The last two weeks the weather has been in the 90’s and unusually humid for the area. They have had spotty afternoon showers which has kept their moisture conditions good. Last week they did have some hail but looks like there was only minor leaf damage.
Markets
Old crop sunflower prices were unchanged with new crop unchanged to up 25 cents at the crush plants this week. The market is watching developments in Russian attacks on Ukraine's crop export infrastructure. Traders did not report any panic buying by importers despite worries that the war could cut off all Black Sea shipments. However recent events have the fate of Black Sea exports more in doubt right now than perhaps they have ever been. Sunflowers are moving into the late bud stage or blooming in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Soil moisture conditions are mostly in good shape compared to last year at this time. However, the crop could use a good drink during this important development phase. It looks like not much will change for weather conditions in the Dakotas and Minnesota, the next two weeks. Above average temperatures and near normal precipitation are expected to continue. In Texas, harvest is moving along making good progress. Commodity traders are starting to get into position for USDA’s August crop reports. August 11th will be a huge day for commodity markets as USDA will release its latest supply and demand reports and first report of FSA certified acres. The FSA figures will be compared to the USDA June acreage report and will give the market a better idea of what got planted this year. This data and weather conditions will guide traders in the coming weeks.
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/
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
Upcoming Events
August 17, 2023 - NSA High Plains Committee Meeting; Goodland, KS
January 10-11, 2024 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND
Markets at a Glance
Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, July 31, 2023 ($/CWT)
  Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2023 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil Nearby 66.23 71.99 65.58 -6.41 59.99
West Fargo, ND NuSun 27.00 19.30 19.30 NC 20.90
West Fargo, ND High Oleic 33.00 19.80 19.80 NC 22.15
Enderlin, ND NuSun 27.10 19.30 19.30 NC 20.95
Enderlin, ND High Oleic 32.40 19.80 19.80 NC 22.15
Lamar, CO High Oleic 35.75 20.25 20.25 NC 22.40
U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, July 31, 2023
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)
  Last Year Last Week This Week Change
Soybean Oil 75.23 78.99 70.11 -8.88
Cotton Oil (pbsy) 116.23 106.99 98.11 -8.88
Corn Oil 141.00 75.00 75.00 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.
 
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