Sunflowers a good seeding option this spring

May 17, 2022

With the delay in seeding this spring, farmers may want to consider switching corn acres over to sunflowers.

Jody Locke is Senior Originator with Scoular.

"Sunflowers have a shorter growing season. They're a good option for farmers who are, at this point, looking to switch anything over just because of the amount of water that we have. Sunflowers because they have a shorter growing season, they're a good option. It's a 90-day to 100-day growing season as compared to 120 for corn. It's significantly shorter for that purpose. It's a good crop to replace if you're looking for something to change just because of the timing with the moisture that we have already."

Locke notes sunflowers are normally in the ground by May long weekend, but adds they can be planted as late as the beginning of June and still get a good crop.

She commented on sunflower pricing.

"If you compare it to two, three, four years ago, sunflowers are quite high right now as most commodities are. The return you're getting on your sunflowers right now is very good. I would say it's competitive to any other crop out there right now."

Locke encourages farmers to contact Scoular if they are considering sunflowers this spring.

"Scoular has been buying grain from farmers for over 30 years. We offer competitive pricing...Scoular will work with growers to make sure that we can market your sunflowers and that we can take all of the sunflowers that you grow regardless of how they grade and do something with them and give you a fair price for them."

New crop sunflower contracts are now available.

Click here to see more...

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.