The January 2026 issue of The Sunflower has been mailed and is also ready to read on our website at The Sunflower Magazine (sunflowernsa.com) This issue includes a look at sunflower production in Indiana, a primer on the impact and management of Phomopsis, results from the 2025 sunflower crop survey and more.

About 100 growers, industry representatives and researchers participated in the National Sunflower Association’s 48th annual research forum January 7-8. Researchers presented papers and posters on their work. Attendees heard presentations on weeds, insects, disease, and new varieties of sunflower. All presentations will be uploaded to the NSA website in the next few weeks.

Sunflower producers and crop advisers interested in sunflower production management updates should plan to participate in the Zoom conference ‘2026 Getting-it-Right in Sunflower Production’ on Tuesday, January 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon CST. The program will be conducted by North Dakota State University Extension and is supported by NSA. Topics that will be covered range from plant nutrient and soil management, updates for weed, disease and insect management, and sunflower marketing. Attendees will receive a list of several pertinent extension sunflower production resources as reference materials and are supplemental to the presentations. The presentations will be recorded and archived.

Certified crop adviser continuing education credits will be available for meeting participants. Pre-registration is required at: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/getting-it-right. This site also has video links to the previous sunflower production meeting. All who preregister will receive emailed instructions on how to participate in the meeting. The program is free of charge.

Nearby prices are unchanged to up 50 cents with 2026 new crop contracts down 10 cents to unchanged at the crush plants this week. USDA released its latest estimate of the 2025 US sunflower crop with production increasing from last year. According to USDA, 2025 sunflower production totaled 2.32 billion pounds, up 103 percent from 2024. The United States average yield of 1,863 pounds per acre increased 193 pounds from 2024 and set a new record high. Planted area, at 1.29 million acres, was 79 percent above the previous year. Area harvested increased 82 percent from 2024 to 1.25 million acres. North Dakota, the leading sunflower producing state during 2025, produced 1.09 billion pounds, an increase of 111 percent from 2024. Meanwhile, production in South Dakota increased 86 percent from 2024 to 866 million pounds. United States production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 2.13 billion pounds, increased 126 percent from 2024. Compared with the previous year, harvested acres were up 104 percent and the average yield increased by 184 pounds to a record high of 1,848 pounds per acre. Production of non-oil sunflower varieties was estimated at 189 million pounds, a decrease of 4 percent from 2024. Area harvested, at 92,200 acres, was down 21 percent from 2024. The average yield increased by 354 pounds from 2024. In its grain stocks report, USDA left old crop oil-type and non-oil sunflower seed stocks in all positions unchanged from its September grain stocks report.

Every year, the National Sunflower Association presents its Gold Award to an individual who has contributed extraordinarily to the overall sunflower industry, either through his or her occupation or through the National Sunflower Association. This award is considered to be the highest award that the NSA presents to individuals. The award has been given since 1989. Some past Gold Award winners include John McLean, Larry Kleingartner, Duane Berglund, Sen. Mark Andrews, Chuck Moses, Jim Krogh, Gary Fick and Robert Majkrzak. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 NSA Gold Award. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/all-about/goldaward/ for the eligibility and criteria requirements. Nominations must be received by February 6, 2026. The NSA Board of Directors will review all submitted applications and choose a recipient. The Gold Award will be presented during this year’s NSA Summer Seminar, set for June 23-25 in Deadwood, SD.

If you have got some of last year’s sunflower crop stored in bins, make sure you keep an eye on the seeds’ moisture level. The maximum recommended moisture content for stored sunflower is 9.5% through the winter months and 8% if the storage period is longer than about six months. It’s also important to check the sunflower weekly and make sure you check the sunflower, not the bin. Check by getting into the storage each time and walk, feel, smell, and probe the seeds. Remember, walking around in filled bins can be dangerous, so take extra precautions. For more storage tips visit https://www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/HarvestingStorage/Harvest--Storage-Resources/

January 13, 2026 - Getting-it-Right in Sunflower Production; Zoom Conference

June 23-25, 2026 - NSA Summer Seminar; Deadwood, SD

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