SUNFLOWER RATINGS

USDA CROP RATINGS as of AUGUST 29, 2010 according to USDA Weekly Crop Weather | | STATE | VERY POOR | POOR | FAIR | GOOD | EXCELLENT | Last Week Comparison | | South Dakota | 1% | 6% | 29% | 52% | 12% | Descreased | | North Dakota | 1% | 7% | 23% | 58% | 11% | Decreased | | Kansas | 1% | 5% | 29% | 58% | 7% | Unchanged | | Colorado | 0% | 2% | 19% | 57% | 22% | Increased | | Minnesota | 1% | 3% | 12% | 69% | 15% | Unchanged |

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SUNFLOWER CROP PROGRESS

SUNFLOWER CROP PROGRESS as of AUGUST 29, 2010 according to USDA Weekly Crop Weather | | STATE | THIS WEEK | LAST WEEK | LAST YEAR | 5 YR AVG | | KANSAS - Bloom | 90% | 80% | 82% | 87% | | KANSAS - Ray petals dry | 29% | 18% | 24% | 33% | | KANSAS - Bracts yellow | 4% | NA | 7% | 7% |
| | | | | | SOUTH DAKOTA - Bloom | 98% | 93% | 93% | 97% | | SOUTH DAKOTA - Ray petals dry | 35% | 16% | 30% | 38% | | SOUTH DAKOTA - Bracts yellow | 9% | 0% | 5% | 16% | | | | | | | NORTH DAKOTA - Ray petals dry | 57% | 24% | 15% | 56% | | NORTH DAKOTA - Bracts yellow | 15% | 2% | 0% | 22% | | | | | | | TEXAS - Harvested | 22% | 16% | 7% | 11% |

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CROP STATUS
 Warm and dry conditions throughout the growing region have accelerated the maturation of the crop. Soil moisture is short in much of the region adding to the maturity pace. In general there are few reports of disease. A Sclerotinia head rot survey in Manitoba indicates light or no infection at this time. Rust is reported on the top leaves in some areas but researchers conclude that spraying after R-6 is not warranted. Harvesting could begin in mid-September with the aid of desiccants.

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CARRINGTON ROW CROP TOUR
 NDSU’s Carrington (ND) Research and Extension Center will be holding a row crop tour on Thursday, September 2. The sunflower portion of the tour begins at 3:00 PM. The Carrington location is one of the premier sunflower research centers with work ongoing in Sclerotinia, rust, soil fertility, hybrid trials, insects and the USDA ARS breeding nursery. Field stops will include breeding and genetics, options for rust control and an update on insect issues. A catered supper will follow at about 7:30 PM.

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SOUTH DAKOTA VARIETY TOUR/TRAINING
 The 2010 SDSU Sunflowers Trials Tour will be held Wednesday morning, September 8 at the Van and Chris Huse land 14 miles west of Onida SD at 10:00 AM. The keynote speaker will be SDSU Oilseeds Specialist Kathy Grady, who will present the latest data on sunflower varieties. Grady will conduct a 2010 sunflower survey training for cooperators during the tour this year. Producers and agronomists are welcome to participate in the training for a hands-on scouting experience. For more information, call the Sully County Extension office at 605-258-2334 or Hughes/Stanley Extension at 605-223-7730.

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HIGH PLAINS SUNFLOWER RESEARCH
 Dr. Chad Godsey of Oklahoma State University is researching sunflower planting date options which range from early April to early August in that state. Planting sunflower after winter wheat appears to be an opportunity for this region where crop rotation and reduced tillage is not widely practiced. A winter wheat mono-culture has resulted in static wheat yields and significant weed issues. Sunflower, sesame, sorghum are warm season crops which can do well in the Oklahoma environment as a second crop after wheat. Other issues related to a more intensive rotation include liming of soils because of low pH in many areas. About 100 farmers attended a double crop field day at the Oklahoma State University Lahoma R&E Center. The research is funded by the NSA. Similar work is being done at the KSU Colby R&E Center. Initial yield data supports early July planting when double cropping after wheat. Yields declined sharply when planting in mid-July and later. This research is funded by the Kansas Sunflower Commission.

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MARKETS
 There are unconfirmed reports of U.S. sunflower oil exports totaling about 15,000 MT to India and several locations in the Middle East and North Africa. U.S. sunoil stocks have been building with the larger crush and lagging Canadian sales. It appears that there may be more opportunities for U.S. sunoil exports throughout the next 12 months. The Black Sea region (encompassing Ukraine and Russia) will reduce their sunflower oil exports this year due to lower production. Western Europe will likely increase their imports of sunflower oil due to a reduction in both sunflower and rapeseed production and continued strong biodiesel production. The Argentine situation continues to be problematic as well. Persistent dry conditions are delaying sunflower planting in the northern provinces. Rainfall expected this week in parts of Argentina but may not be sufficient to break the long drought. Despite growing domestic demand for U.S. sunoil, there should be sufficient supply to meet some of the export needs.

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DAILY MARKET NEWS
 For sunflower prices at various locations, refer to our Daily Market News page.

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| Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, August 30, 2010 ($/CWT) | | Deliver | Last Year | Last Week | This Week | Change | | Chicago Oil | | Nearby | 36.07 | 39.25 | 39.95 | +.70 | | Fargo, ND | | Linoleic Nearby | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | NuSun Aug | 13.45 | 15.20 | 15.55 | +.35 | | NuSun Sept | 13.55 | 15.20 | 15.55 | +.35 | | Enderlin, ND | | Linoleic Nearby | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | NuSun Aug | 13.45 | 15.20 | 15.55 | +.35 | | NuSun Sept | 13.55 | 15.20 | 15.55 | +.35 | | Red Wing, MN | | Linoleic Nearby | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | NuSun Aug | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | NuSun Sept | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | Goodland, KS | | Linoleic Nearby | NB | NB | NB | ---- | | NuSun Aug | 14.85 | 15.80 | 16.15 | +.35 | | NuSun Sept | 14.85 | 15.80 | 16.15 | +.35 |
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