Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Sep 09 2024

Crop Progress - Monday, September 9, 2024

State	This Week	Last Week	Last Year	5 Year Average
North Dakota
Petals Dry	70	42	76	76
Bracts Yellow	25	5	43	44
Mature	1	--	12	13
South Dakota
Petals Dry	46	20	65	--
Bracts Yellow	13	1	25	--
Texas
Harvested	68	65	58	57

Crop Conditions - Monday, September 9, 2024

State	Timeframe	Very Poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
North Dakota	This week	1	4	23	67	5
	Last week	1	5	22	66	6
Minnesota	This week	0	1	29	56	14
	Last week	0	1	24	64	11
Colorado	This week	24	27	30	18	1
	Last week	25	28	22	24	1
South Dakota	This week	6	6	24	59	5
	Last week	5	7	29	54	5

Grower Report

Wishek, North Dakota grower Adam Bettenhausen says his sunflowers look pretty good overall. He has a small amount of larva damage. They are currently at the R7 stage. He did not have any significant disease or weed issues, but did spray for red seed weevil. Adam normally does not desiccate but he planted some confection flowers this year, so he will be desiccating those in about 2 weeks and harvesting in a month. He expects to harvest the rest of his crop at the end of October.

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 2025 are now being accepted. Visit 2025 Research Priorities to read more and to submit pre-proposals. Grant applications are due by October 1, 2024.

Markets

Nearby prices were mixed this week down 50 cents to up 50 cents. The Cargill West Fargo crush plant is offering 2025 new crop cash and Act of God (AOG) High Oleic contracts at $20.50 cash and $20.00 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 $20.00 contract increases to $22.00, and the cash $20.50 contract moves up to $22.55. Markets are awaiting fresh USDA data that will be released on Thursday that will provide more insights as to how 2024 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. Warmer than normal temps with dry weather conditions are expected over the next two weeks. This is welcome news as crop development for the most part remains behind the five-year average and will continue pushing the crop toward maturity in the Dakotas and Minnesota.

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: 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.

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 8-9, 2025 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND
June 24-26, 2025 - NSA Summer Seminar; Bismarck, ND

Markets at a Glance

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, September 9, 2024 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2025 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	63.15	42.07	41.61	-.46	40.48
West Fargo, ND	NuSun	NQ	17.50	17.75	+.25	NQ
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	19.00	17.50	18.00	+.50	20.50
Enderlin, ND	NuSun	NQ	NQ	NQ	NC	NQ
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	NQ	17.50	17.50	NC	NQ
Lamar, CO	High Oleic	19.50	19.50	19.50	NC	NQ

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, September 9, 2024
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. locations)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	66.84	43.07	42.61	-.46
Cotton Oil (pbsy)	96.34	67.07	66.61	-.46
Corn Oil	75.00	74.00	74.00	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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