Sunflower Highlights
Post Date: May 30 2017
Crop Progress
Planting is ahead of average in many reporting states. Minnesota growers have already planted 85 percent of the sunflower crop, ahead of the average 64 percent. In North Dakota, 58 percent of the crop is planted, and 13 percent is already emerged.
Crop Progress - Tuesday, May 30, 2017
State This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Year Average
North Dakota        
Planted 58 31 64 42
Emerged 13 NA 18 NA
South Dakota        
Planted 30 12 28 19
Kansas        
Planted 7 2 3 11
Texas        
Planted 59 53 40 62
Minnesota        
Planted 85 70 91 64
Colorado        
Planted 5 4 14 14
Syngenta Launches New Seed Treatment Fungicide
Syngenta has launched PLENARIS™ seed treatment fungicide for the control of downy mildew in sunflower. PLENARIS™ contains oxathiapiprolin*, a novel chemistry with a new mode of action for control of fungal diseases caused by oomycetes. Downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) is the key seedling disease of sunflower causing severe stunting, discoloration of the leaves and reduction in root growth. Infected seedlings do not form a flowering head and consequently severely reducing yield. PLENARIS™ will be first commercialized in the U.S. in 2017 followed by Argentina.
Researchers Publish the First Sunflower Genome Sequence
An international team of researchers has published the first sunflower genome sequence. This new resource will assist future research programs using genetic tools to improve crop resilience and oil production. Their findings are published in the journal Nature. The research team in North America and Europe sequenced the genome of the domesticated sunflower Helianthus annuus L. The research will help understand the molecular mechanisms underlying key traits related to abiotic stress resistance like drought, salinity and low nutrient resistance. This genome sequence will essentially serve as a genetic road map to pinpoint the genes underlying these sorts of traits. The authors concluded that this research reinforces the sunflower as a model for ecological and evolutionary studies and climate change adaptation, and will accelerate breeding programs.
CHS Names New President/CEO
CHS Inc. has named a new president and CEO. Jay Debertin succeeds Carl Casale, who led the cooperative for the past seven years. Debertin is originally from East Grand Forks and has been with CHS since 1984. Previously, Debertin was the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the CHS energy operations and processing food business.
NSA Summer Seminar Rate Increases June 3
If you haven’t registered for this year’s Summer Seminar yet, do so now, before the price goes up! The 35th Annual Summer Seminar will be held June 27-29 in Rapid City, SD. Click here to registeronline. Registration will increase to $350 on June 3, so register now!
Honoring Former USDA Secretary Schafer
A bill to rename the Red River Valley Agricultural Center in Fargo, ND, as the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center passed the House on a voice vote. North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer sponsored the bill to recognize the former agriculture secretary and governor. “It is a world-class facility in a world-class town. I think it should be named after a world-class guy.” A companion bill has been introduced in the Upper Chamber by Senator John Hoeven and co-sponsored by Senator Heidi Heitkamp.
Upcoming Events
June 27-29, 2017 – NSA Summer Seminar, Rapid City, SD
January 10-11, 2018 – NSA Research Forum, Fargo, ND
Markets
At the CBoT, talk that wet weather could reduce US final corn acres has offered resistance to soybean prices. Traders are thinking that If US farmers are unable to plant intended corn acres they could shift to soybeans. US/World 2017/18 soybean supply outlook already looks burdensome and this would add to the stockpile. This dropped soybean prices to their lowest level since early April. Soy complex prices were also pressured by talk of lower soymeal demand and a drop in China soybean crush margins. There was talk that China may cancel some open US soybean sales leading traders to be concerned with lower Chinese export demand in the near term. Traders continue to the watch the political turmoil in Brazil as well. There is anxiety that if the Real continues to weaken it could trigger an increase in farmer selling and flood the pipeline with cheap soybeans and take away US export opportunities. Sunflower prices followed the price action on the CBoT at distance and ended the week mixed at down 20 cents to unchanged at the crush plants. Sunflower planting is moving along at or ahead of the five-year average. The two-week weather forecast in the US sunflower production region should allow for normal completion of planting. Weather and planting progress will remain the biggest short term question marks for traders.
Weekly Prices Recorded on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 ($/CWT)
  Deliver Last Year Last Week This Week Change 2017 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil Nearby 31.82 32.94 31.42 -1.52 31.95
Fargo, ND NuSun 16.95 15.00 15.25 +.25 16.60
Enderlin, ND NuSun 17.00 15.15 15.10 -.05 16.40
Goodland, KS NuSun 16.95 14.05 13.80 -.25 14.65
Goodland, KS High Oleic 17.95 15.70 15.45 -.25 16.65
Prices recorded here are believed to be reliable at the time of posting. All prices are subject to change. Contact these facilities for complete market details.
U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)
  Last Year Last Week This Week Change
Soybean Oil 29.57 30.44 28.92 -1.52
Cotton Oil (psby) 46.83 38.94 37.42 -1.52
Corn Oil 45.50 41.50 41.50 NC
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