Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Apr 14 2025

Production Resource Books available on NSA website

As you plan for spring planting, there is helpful information on our website for producers. Visit Production Resource Books (sunflowernsa.com) for the growers section of our website; check out the Sunflower Production Resource Book for your area. The books provide guidelines and recommendations on production practices, pest identification, field selection and more.

Reducing Blackbird Damage

A good strategy to reducing blackbird damage is to plant as early as possible and desiccate the crop. In many cases, producers have been about to get the crop all harvested before the birds even move in. The earliest plant date for Minnesota is April 21. In North Dakota, it is May 6 for most counties north of Highway 200 and May 11 for the remaining counties, based on the USDA RMA early planting dates. Why take a chance when it comes to blackbirds when you can have a good sunflower crop? Maximize your return by planting early and getting the crop harvested as soon as possible.

Minnesota Sunflower Council re-elects board member

Greg Hilgeman has been re-elected to the Minnesota Sunflower Council. Hilgeman farms near Oklee, Minnesota. He grows oil sunflower as well as spring wheat, barley, oats, corn, grass seed and is a beef cattle producer. Hilgeman will represent Region 1 on the Minnesota Sunflower Council.

Markets

Nearby prices were unchanged with new crop down 15 cents to unchanged this week at the crush plants. USDA released the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report last week. USDA decreased soybean ending stocks for the 2024-25 marketing year to 375 million bushels (mb), down 5 mb from March's estimate. USDA got there by making numerous small changes. Soybean production was unchanged, but imports climbed by 5 mb to 25 mb. Globally, USDA boosted ending stocks by 1.06 million metric tons (mmt) to 122.47 mmt. Brazil and Argentina production was left unchanged at 169 mmt and 49 mmt respectively. The market continues monitoring the latest twists and turns in our fast shifting trade policy. Grain futures rallied along with global stock markets last week after President Trump announced a temporary drop in tariff rates for most countries to 10% for 90 days. Canada and Mexico won't be subjected to an additional 10% duty. The European Union announced a similar 90-day pause on U.S. goods. There is still time to adjust plans to take advantage of the market opportunities that sunflowers can offer. Even with the projected increase in acres, crushers and confection processors are still offering 2025 Act of God and cash new crop contracts. With crop insurance prices of $24.00 for oils and $32.20 for confections diversifying market risk with some sunflower acres would be a good option in 2025.

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