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 2027 are now being accepted. https://www.sunflowernsa.com/Research/2027-NSA-Research-Priorities/ to read more and to submit pre-proposals. Grant applications are due by September 30, 2026.

Nearby prices were unchanged to up 35 cents at the crush plants this week. Crush plants rolled out 2027 new crop cash and Act of God (AOG) High Oleic contracts last week. ADM Enderlin and Cargill West Fargo are at $25.50 cash and $25.00 AOG. Colorado Mills in Lamar, CO is at $25.00 AOG. Something else to consider is the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflowers. 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 AOG $25.00 contract increases to $27.50 and the cash $25.50 contract moves up to $28.05. USDA recently revised its global sunflower production forecast for MY 26/27 to 63.7 million metric tons (MMT). The MY 26/27 global sunflower seed crush is forecasted to reach 56.5 MMT, which is 13% higher than in MY 25/26. Despite the higher global supply of sunflower oil, global sunflower oil stocks are projected at to be 1.46 MMT by the end of September 2027 which represents only 7% stocks to use. Trading in the week ahead will focus on the USDA Grain Stocks report that will be released next week. Traders are expecting sunflower seed stocks to be up from a year ago but within the five-year average after last year’s larger crop.

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/

Now is a good time to remove blackbird roosting locations, such as cattails. Cattails serve as blackbird habitat, so it is in the sunflower producer’s best interest to get rid of as much as possible. In addition, USDA Wildlife Services personnel can help North and South Dakota producers who have blackbird problems. They will respond to you during the damage season by providing loaner cannons and pyrotechnics. These offices will provide further assistance in an attempt to break up large roosts. Using a combination of cattail management, cannons, harassment, desiccants, and repellants can be even more effective when used together. For more information on blackbird control, visit Blackbirds (sunflowernsa.com)

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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