Sunflower is an oil-based crop, and fine fibers from sunflower seeds pose a constant fire hazard. To help reduce the risk this harvest season, be sure to keep a clean work area when harvesting sunflower. Blow the combine and grain dryer setup with an air hose daily. Also, try nighttime harvesting, when humidity levels are higher and keep a small pressure sprayer filled with water on hand in the combine. For more tips, visit Combine Fire Responses (sunflowernsa.com)

As harvest approaches, take time to make sure your bins are ready. Bins with perforated floors work better for drying sunflower than those with ducts. Aeration is essential, especially in larger bins. Aeration may be accomplished with floor mounted ducts or portable aerators. Aeration fans should deliver 1/10 to 1 cfm per cwt of sunflower. If aeration is not available, sunflower should be rotated between bins to avoid hot spots developing in the stored grain. For more on harvest and storage, visit www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/HarvestingStorage/

Kennedy, MN grower Tom Dowdle says they have received over 4” of rain in the last 2 weeks. They have standing water in the fields and ditches. With the soil as wet as it is and the high winds some of the stocks have blown over. He hasn’t started harvesting sunflower but due to the wet fields he says he may need to harvest his sunflower before his soybeans this year. He did see some stocks with Phomopsis. Tom says his crop looks good. The heads are filled to the middle. He spoke to a neighbor that harvested his sunflower before the rains hit and was seeing yields of 3200-3400 lbs per acre with a test weight of 32-34 lbs.

Nearby prices were up 20 to 35 cents with 2026 new crop prices unchanged at the crush plants this week. October and November prices are in the range of $20.80-$20.85 per cwt depending on the location. Nearby prices are $2.10-$2.15 per cwt. higher than a year ago at this same time. The USDA was scheduled to release the first sunflower production estimate in their October 9th  supply and demand report, but that report was not released due to the government shutdown. It was widely anticipated that USDA’s sunflower yield estimate would signal record or near-record yields. In June, the USDA had forecast a 52% increase in oil sunflower planted acres and an 8% decline in non-oil sunflower planted acres. The government shutdown has also left growers and traders without fresh USDA information on the progress of the harvest and the state of the crops. This has left everyone trading in the dark until the government goes back to work. Sunflower harvest is moving forward in all states according to grower reports. Weather in the next two weeks is expected to remain warmer than average with drier than normal chances of precipitation in the sunflower growing region. This would aid in getting the harvest done in a timely manner.

We are looking for research papers to be presented at the NSA Research Forum, set for January 7-8, 2026, in Fargo, ND. Presentations may be either oral or in the form of a poster. A time will be designated for authors to be with their posters and answer questions. Each oral presentation will be limited to 15-17 minutes with 2-3 minutes allowed for questions. Visit 2026 Call for Papers if you are interested in presenting a paper. You do not have to submit the actual paper or poster at this time, just the information indicated online and the author information. Submissions must be completed by December 8, 2025.

Exports of kernel are down 8% from a year ago, from 3,007 metric tons (MT) to 2,780 MT from October 2024 to July 2025. Canada remains the top importer of U.S. sunflower kernel, importing 1,783 MT. In-shell exports decreased from 11,378 MT to 4,722 MT from October 2024 to July 2025. Mexico remains the top importer of in-shell sunflower, importing 1,971 MT with Canada a close second importing 1,597 MT during the period. Sunflower oil exports are down 6% from a year ago, from 21,251 MT to 19,947 MT from October 2024 to July 2025. Canada remains the top importer, importing 11,221 MT down 22% from a year ago. Mexico is the number two destination importing 3,376 MT during the period.

January 7-8, 2026 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND

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

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