Rust is most often found on the lower under-side of leaves. The pustules are cinnamon-red and readily recognizable. Yield loss can occur, and control measures should be considered when rust reaches approximately 1% severity on the upper four leaves and the plant is in the vegetative stages until it reaches the R6 stage. An infestation on the upper leaves at R6 or later will not likely have a negative yield affect. Fortunately, rust can be managed with well-timed fungicide applications. To learn more about rust, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/diseases/rust-damage-and-control/

The rally in sunflower prices continued this week as new marketing year highs were set for old and new crop prices at the North Dakota crush plants. In the past week, old crop added 60 cents to $1.00 per cwt. with new crop up 40 to 60 cents. At the beginning of the marketing year last October nearby prices were in a range of $20.70-$22.00 at the ND crush plants. Since that time nearby prices have increased by an impressive $6.00-$7.30 per cwt. The rally has also extended to 2026 new crop prices as well. New crop was in a range of $22.70-$22.80 back in October. From the time when 2026 prices rolled out new crop prices have added $1.40-$1.80 per cwt. and are now trading in a range of $24.20-$24.50. Something else to consider is the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflower. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Considering oil premiums that 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%; this pushes a contract with 45% oil content gross return 10% higher per cwt. The new crop $24.50 contract increases to $26.95 and the nearby contract at $28.00 moves up to $30.80. In addition, both ND crush plants are offering early harvest delivery prices in a range of $25.40-$26.00. Desiccating the crop to harvest early may be a good option to take advantage of these attractive prices.

As sunflower fields begin to bloom, adults of red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) will be emerging and will fly to the nearest flowering sunflowers. RRSW are small (2.5 to 3.1 mm long) with a snout and are reddish orange. Banded sunflower moth (BSM) can be identified by their small size (1/4 inch long) and forewings with a triangular, dark brown band across the middle of the wing. 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 RRSW, BSM, sunflower moth and Lygus bug. The best sunflower plant stage to treat is when the majority of plants are in the R5.1 growth stge. Visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/Insects/  to read more about scouting for insects and the best treatments. To see the insecticides registered in sunflower, visit www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/north-dakota-field-crop-insect-management-guide

After 27 years of service to South Dakota’s oilseed industry, Tom Young retired as executive director of the South Dakota Oilseeds Council. Young served on the council’s board beginning in 1999 before becoming executive director in 2018. Jennifer Scharpe has been named his successor after completing a two-month transition.

January 13-14, 2027 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND 

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