Nestibo Agra Commodity Processors Inc. Sunflowers

As in all aspects of farming, weather is one of the biggest factors that unfortunately we cannot control. The following are some strategies to help you harvest the best sunflower crop possible.

SEED is the first thing you can control. We recommend that you use only top quality seed at recommended populations. Sunflower seeding should begin anytime after May 1st and no later than June

1st. Confection sunflowers should not exceed 18,000/acre or .4 plants/sq. ft. Remember that bigger yields do not always mean bigger dollars, but bigger seed size means bigger dollars.

We sell only top of the line Hybrid Confectionary & Oil sunflower seed. Please contact us for pricing on the products we offer.

Advanta Seeds
- Confection Seed 8048
- Conventional Oil Seed 6111, 6039
- Nusun Oil Seed 6511
Seeds 2000
- Confection Seed 6946
- Confection Seed Cougar
- Confection Seed Kodiak
- Oil Seed Ranger

Mycogen Seed
- Confections 9338
- Confections 8C416
- Oil Seed SF270
- Oil Seed SF187
- Nusun Hybrids 8D310 Dehulling
- Nusun Hybrids 8242 N.S.
- Nusun Hybrids 8N251 N.S.

FERTILIZER - Have your soil tested for fertility levels. Sunflowers respond well to nitrogen and phosphorous.

HERBICIDE - Apply only herbicide that is labeled for sunflowers. Excessive pressure from weeds robs the water and nutrients from your plants.

CORN CONTROL - Volunteer corn needs to be controlled. This can be done with poast emergence herbicides. Being discounted at harvest for corn that could have been controlled during the growing season needn't happen.

INSECTS - Control of insects is a must. Plan on at least one application of a good residual control insecticide. Putting out money now for a good scouting program will save you big money in the long run.

Insects & Control (NDSU Extension Service - Sunflower Production)
Sunflower Disease (NDSU Extension Service - Sunflower Production)

HARVEST MOISTURE - When you start harvest, make sure that your crop is dry (safe when the seed moisture reaches 15%). Sunflowers can easily shatter if the heads are very dry, so you must slow combine speed accordingly. Always monitor your seed in the grain carts and trucks at harvest and in the bins after harvest.

CLEANLINESS IN HARVEST - To avoid unnecessary discounts, be sure all your bins, augers, combines, truck boxes and hoppers are clean before delivery of your product. This is especially important if you hire a harvester and/or trucking company to do the job.

By following good farming practices and these guidelines, you should be assured of getting top dollar for your crop in the fall.