The markets have been extremely volatile for most crops since early July. Sunflower prices on the other hand have been moving higher during this same period, Nearby high oleic prices are trading $1.00-$2.50 per hundredweight higher than last year at this same time. Last year, October, new crop prices were in the range of $21.00-$22.00. October high oleic prices are currently in a range of $23.00-$24.75 at the crush plants. Something else to add to these prices is the oil premiums that are paid on sunflower. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Oil premiums 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%. For example, a $24.75 contract with 45% oil content results in a 10% price premium which pushes gross return to $27.20 per cwt. August 12th will be a huge day for commodity markets as USDA will release its latest supply and demand reports and first report of FSA certified acres. The FSA figures will be compared to the USDA June acreage report and will give the market a better idea of what got planted this year. This data and weather conditions will guide traders in the coming weeks.
SDSU Extension will host an informational sunflower webinar focusing on red sunflower seed weevil management on August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central. This meeting is free to attend but registration is required to receive the webinar link. Attendees have the option to participate online or attend in person at SDSU Extension Pierre Regional Center 412 W. Missouri Ave., Pierre, SD or West River Research and Extension 711 N. Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD. For more information and to see the topics covered use this link: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/red-sunflower-seed-weevil-management-webinar
With sunflower fields blooming IPM scouts have observed increasing numbers of red sunflower seed weevils (RSSW), banded sunflower moth (BSM) and Arthuri sunflower moths (SM) in the last week and are at economic thresholds for control in some locations. See maps on NDSU’s IPM website: Sunflower Insect Trap — ND IPM (ndsu.edu) Severe infestations of RSSW and moths can be very damaging to the sunflower head and result in seed loss. Once the decision to treat has been made, it is critical to time the spray application correctly to get effective management of all sunflower head insects including RSSW, BSM, SM, and Lygus bug. The best sunflower plant stage to treat is when the majority of plants are in the R5.1 growth stage. To read more about scouting for insects and the best treatments, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/Insects/.
January 13-14, 2027 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND
June 22-24, 2027 - NSA Summer Seminar; Detroit Lakes, MN
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