Zachary Ittel was born and raised in Sartell, a booming town in central Minnesota. While taking an AP biology course in high school he became interested in the study of genetics. He therefore decided to pursue a biotechnology degree at North Dakota State University. During the third and fourth years of his bachelor’s program he began working for the USDA-Agricultural Research Service helping to research a new sugar beet virus which introduced him to plant pathology.

When he graduated with his bachelors in May of 2023, he decided to pursue a PhD in Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University with the goal of broadening his horizons in the world of plant pathology. He is currently in his third year of his program and has completed two years of a sunflower rust survey, completed virulence testing on some of the isolates collected during the survey, and has completed two location years of a sunflower rust fungicide trial. He enjoys teaching plant pathology, hunting, fishing, and gardening. 

The National Sunflower Association’s Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund assists students who study in the field of agriculture with a special emphasis on sunflower production, promotion, or research.

Nearby sunflower prices were unchanged to up 5 cents with new crop unchanged to up 10 cents at the crush plants this week. On the CBoT, futures extended gains on the back of surging wheat and crude oil futures, which rallied to three-week highs following reports the U.S. will extend its blockade of Iranian ports, prolonging supply disruptions from the Middle East. President Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran. As a result, grain and other markets continue to add risk premium tied to supply disruptions in both the U.S. and Middle East. However, extending the Middle East conflict also holds bearish implications for soybeans by putting an expected meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping in jeopardy. Traders believe that if there is no peace for the next four weeks it will likely mean a delay in Trump and Xi getting together. That would be bearish for the export situation as soybean exports since the beginning of September now stand at 32.8 million metric tons, down from 43.2 million tons in the same period last year and would likely put a lid on futures. The sunflower market is mainly centered on the U.S. market. It has not faced the same market volatility as the big three crops. Sunflower prices have remained firm with steady demand at the plants since the Middle East conflict began. With South American oilseed harvest wrapping up, the attention of the oilseed market will shift to North American demand news, weather, crop conditions and production prospects in the months ahead.

If you are dealing with fields that have areas of high saline content, planting sunflower can help turn those areas around. Sunflower is a saline-tolerant crop, meaning if it is planted in a field with a large seep, sunflower would do better than other crops. Its deep root system helps the soil structure. Those deep roots help get the water out of the soil at a deeper level and remove saline areas in the field. Producers should check with their seed dealers and find out which varieties are the most salt tolerant and appropriate for their growing area. For more information, visit Article Archives (sunflowernsa.com)

Registration is now open for our 2026 NSA Summer Seminar, scheduled for June 23-25, 2026. This year’s Summer Seminar will be held in Deadwood, South Dakota. You can register on our website – go to 2026 NSA Summer Seminar You’ll find our tentative schedule too, as well as hotel information and more. Pre-registration will begin at $375 and golf at $140, so register early for the best price. A block of rooms has been reserved at The Lodge under the “National Sunflower Association Conference." To reserve your room, call 605-584-4800.  The rate is $169.00 per night plus taxes for a King, Queen, King Accessible, or Queen Accessible or $199.00 per night plus taxes for a King Balcony or Queen Deluxe.  The block will expire on May 23, 2026, and regular rates will apply.  Contact Tina Mittelsteadt at tinam@sunflowernsa.com with questions.

June 23-25, 2026 - NSA Summer Seminar; Deadwood, SD

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