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Sunflower Briefs

Saturday, August 14, 2021
filed under: Sunflower Briefs

Central Garden & Pet Buys D&D Commodities
        Central Garden & Pet announced this summer that it had acquired D&D Commodities Ltd., headquartered in Stephen, Minn. “We are excited to welcome the D&D team into the Central Garden & Pet organization,” said Tim Cofer, Central’s CEO. “Adding D&D’s well-known and trusted premium bird feed brands solidifies our position in this attractive category and will strengthen our footprint with key retail customers.”
        Established in 1987, D&D develops, manufactures and sells food for birds, small animals and wildlife under the 3D, Wild Delight, Better Bird and L’Avian Plus brands. The company operates three manufacturing plants in Stephen, Minn., Argyle, Minn., and Greeley, Colo., and sells to large retailers, farm and feed, garden centers and online. “We are excited for this next chapter in our business as part of Central Garden & Pet,” said Scott Stinar, CEO of D&D. “Central’s resources, capabilities and expertise in the lawn and garden industries will be key to growing our business further.”

USDA Releasing QLA and WHIP+ Payments
        More than $1 billion in payments is being released for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for producers who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). These U.S. Department of Agriculture programs provide disaster assistance to producers who suffered losses to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters. More information can be found using this link: USDA to Begin Payments for Producers Impacted by 2018 and 2019 Natural Disasters.

Swanson, Capistran Re-elected to Minn. Council
        John Swanson and Kevin Capistran have been re-elected to the Minnesota Sunflower Council. Swanson farms near Mentor, Minn., where he produces oil sunflower as well as spring wheat, corn and soybeans. Capistran grows oil sunflower, spring wheat, barley, soybeans and sugarbeets on his farm near Crookston, Minn. Both represent Region 1 on the Minnesota Sunflower Council.

We’d Like to Hear Your Story Suggestions
        We are currently developing articles for the 2021/22 issues of The Sunflower magazine. Growers, researchers, industry members – what topics would you like us to write about? Perhaps it’s a producer who has developed some innovative equipment modifications or has achieved a particularly effective pest control strategy. Or, there may be a research development with promising implications for the industry. The list goes on. If something does come to mind, submit your suggestions to: johns@sunflowernsa.com.