Research is an important part of the NSA’s mission. Each year, the NSA provides grants to public researchers to stimulate new or additional work that may result in lower production costs, increased quality, and higher yields. Pre-proposals for projects to be considered for funding in 2026 are now being accepted. 2026 NSA Research Priorities to read more and to submit pre-proposals. Grant applications are due by September 30, 2025.

Onida, SD grower Ryan Olson says his sunflowers look pretty good. He expects average yields. He says the red seed weevil was about the same as in the past. He sprayed 2 times. He planted as late into the spring as possible. He had no real disease issues. The weather this summer has been very dry. Recently, had a little bit of rain. He hopes to start harvesting the second week of October.

Last week, Colorado Mills in Lamar, CO rolled out a 2026 new crop Act of God High Oleic contract at $23.00. According to the September USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) crop acreage report, area planted to sunflower in 2025 totals 1,280,125 acres up 72 percent from last year. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is using a planted acreage estimate of 998,000 acres. According to FSA, planted area of oil-type varieties is 1,181,582 acres with acreage of non-oil varieties, at 98,543 acres. NASS has pegged the planted area of oil-type varieties at 881,000 acres and non-oil varieties, at 117,000 acres. Delayed spring planting conditions resulted in 19,640 prevent plant acres in 2025 with South Dakota accounting for 11,636 acres of the total. 2025 U.S. sunflower production is still undetermined and will not be known until harvest gets rolling and some yield results are reported. In October, USDA will provide its first estimate for oil and non-oil sunflower production. On September 30, USDA will report old crop sunflower stocks. These USDA reports will give producers and industry a better picture of sunflower fundamentals heading into the 2025/26 marketing year. The weather forecast for the next two weeks is predicting above normal temperatures in the sunflower growing region, which bodes well for crop dry down.

NSA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Anyone requesting special accommodation should notify NSA within a reasonable timeframe. NSA will accommodate reasonable requests.