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Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Sep 13 2021

Crop Progress - Monday, September 13, 2021 State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average North Dakota         Petals Dry 90 84 87 85 Bracts Yellow 65 46 63 62 Mature 22 14 27 21 Texas         Harvested 59 56 55 52

Crop Conditions - Monday, September 13, 2021 State Timeframe Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent North Dakota This week 11 28 37 22 2   Last week 10 26 38 25 1 Minnesota This week 8 15 37 38 2   Last week 8 14 33 45 0 Colorado This week 1 9 29 56 5   Last week 1 7 27 62 3

Grower Report

Bismarck, North Dakota grower Clark Coleman says his sunflower crop will be an ok combining crop this year. The rain he had last week helped. His sunflowers have started to dry down and some area growers have even started to desiccate. He says he has had no insect or disease issues this year. He hopes to start harvesting the 1st or 2nd week of October if a hard frost holds out until later September.

Research grant applications being accepted

Research is an important part of the NSA’s mission. Each year, the NSA provides grants to public researchers to stimulate new or additional work that may result in lower production costs, increased quality, and higher yields. Pre-proposals for projects to be considered for funding in 2022 are now being accepted. Visit 2022 NSA Research Priorities (sunflowernsa.com) to read more and to submit pre-proposals.

Markets

Sunflower prices were down 60 cents to unchanged this week at the crush plants. Birdfood is trading mostly around $30.50-$31.50 in South Dakota with North Dakota prices trading for as much as $33.00 in some locations.  According to the September USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) crop acreage report, area planted to sunflower in 2021 totals 1.27 million acres. This compares to the USDA NASS June planted acreage report which was 1.38 million acres. According to FSA, planted area of oil-type varieties is 1.16 million acres with acreage of non-oil varieties, at 109,260 acres. In June, NASS estimated planted area of oil-type varieties at 1.25 million acres and non-oil varieties, at 130,000 acres. 2021 U.S. sunflower production is still undetermined and will not be known until harvest gets rolling and some yield results are reported. Severe to exceptional drought conditions were prevalent throughout the key growing areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota this growing season. At this time, it is unknown how this might have impacted sunflower production. In October, USDA will provide its first estimate for oil and non-oil sunflower production. Traders will be keen to see how USDA factors in any potential effect of the drought into the production numbers. This report along with actual harvest reports will set the tone for sunflower price direction in the near term. Getting the crop harvested several weeks early can result in lower drying costs, plus reduces late season crop and blackbird damage.

Consider cattail control

Now is a good time to remove blackbird roosting locations, such as cattails. Cattails serve as blackbird habitat, so it is in the sunflower producer’s best interest to get rid of as much as possible. The USDA can help with blackbird control. Visit NORTH DAKOTA (sunflowernsa.com) for a map with phone numbers for USDA Wildlife Services personnel that can help North Dakota producers who have blackbird problems. They will respond to you during the damage season by providing loaner cannons and pyrotechnics. These offices will provide further assistance in an attempt to break up large roosts. Using a combination of cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants and repellants can be even more effective when used together. For more information on blackbird control, visit Blackbirds (sunflowernsa.com)

Reduce the risk of combine fires

Sunflower is an oil-based crop, and fine fibers from sunflower seeds pose a constant fire hazard. To help reduce the risk this harvest season, be sure to keep a clean work area when harvesting sunflower. Blow the combine and grain dryer setup with an air hose daily. Also, try nighttime harvesting, when humidity levels are higher and keep a small pressure sprayer filled with water on hand in the combine. For more tips, visit Combine Fire Responses (sunflowernsa.com)

Upcoming Events

January 12-13, 2022 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn, Fargo, ND June 28-30, 2022 - NSA Summer Seminar; Grand Forks, ND

Markets at a Glance

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, September 13, 2021 ($/CWT)   Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2022 NEW Crop Chicago Oil Nearby 34.28 57.76 55.80 -1.96 55.99 West Fargo, ND NuSun 16.60 31.80 31.25 -.55 26.80 West Fargo, ND High Oleic 16.80 32.00 31.40 -.60 27.20 Enderlin, ND NuSun 16.75 31.70 31.50 -.20 27.00 Enderlin, ND High Oleic 16.95 31.70 31.50 -.20 27.25 Lamar, CO High Oleic NQ 29.25 29.25 unch NQ

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, September 13, 2021 (dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)   Last Year Last Week This Week Change Soybean Oil 34.48 77.76 75.80 -1.96 Cotton Oil (psby) 49.23 97.76 95.80 -1.96 Corn Oil 68.00 88.00 88.00 unch

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