Wishek, North Dakota grower Adam Bettenhausen says his sunflowers look really good. They are currently at the R7 stage. He is seeing a little bit of sclerotinia, and the black birds have moved in, so he is dealing with that right now. Adam normally does not desiccate but says it is still on the table. They received a good frost this past weekend so dependent on how the weather continues he expects to harvest the middle of October.

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 2026 are now being accepted. Visit  2026 NSA Research Priorities to read more and to submit pre-proposals. Grant applications are due by September 30, 2025.

Nearby prices were unchanged to up $1.00 at the crush plants this week. ADM Enderlin and Cargill West Fargo crush plants are offering 2026 new crop cash and Act of God (AOG) High Oleic contracts. ADM is at $23.00 cash and $22.50 AOG. Cargill is at $22.90 cash and $22.40 AOG. Something else to consider is the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflowers. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Considering oil premiums that are offered at the crush plants on oil content above 40% at a rate of 2% price premium for each 1% of oil above 40%; this pushes a contract with 45% oil content gross return 10% higher per cwt. The AOG $22.40-$22.50 contract increases to a range of $24.65-$24.75, and the cash $22.90-$23.00 contract moves up to $25.20-$25.30. Markets are awaiting fresh USDA data that will be released on Friday that will provide more insights as to how 2025 production and ending supplies could shake out. In addition, USDA Farm Service Agency will update its reported acreage data for all crops. This will give the sunflower market another look at acres ahead of the USDA October production report which will provide its first estimate for oil and non-oil sunflower production.

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: Blackbirds (sunflowernsa.com) for a map with phone numbers for USDA Wildlife Services personnel that can help North and South 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.

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)

January 7-8, 2026 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND 

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

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