Publisher — National Sunflower Association Editor — John Sandbakken NSA Communications Director — Sonia Mullally Contributing Writer/Editor — Don Lilleboe Advertising Manager — Lerrene Kroh
The Sunflower is published six times per year by the National Sunflower Association, a farmer and industry organization working to improve the profitability of sunflower for all sectors. Farmer checkoff commissions/ councils in N.D., S.D., Minn., Kan., and Colo., make up NSA’s basic funding and governing structure. Assessments on volume in the oilseed and confection processing industries and the hybrid seed sector are key funding components, with other funding from grants, including USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Offices for The Sunflower are located at NSA headquarters, 2401 46th Ave. S.E., Ste. 206, Mandan, ND 58554. NSA & magazine phone number is (701) 328-5100; toll free (888) 718-7033. U.S. farmers raising 10 or more acres of sunflower, extension agents, and public researchers can receive The Sunflower at no charge. Others may subscribe at these rates: North American residents, US $15.00 for one year or US $40.00 for three years; overseas air mail, US $50.00 per year. Information in The Sunflower does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the National Sunflower Association. Nor does advertising in The Sunflower imply endorsement by the publisher. NSA is an equal opportunity provider and employer without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability. Current NSA officers and directors are: Chairman Tom Young, Onida, S.D. President Kevin Capistran, Crookston, Minn. First Vice President Art Ridl, Dickinson, N.D. Second Vice President Karl Esping, Lindsborg, Kan. Secretary/Treasurer Tyler Schultz, West Fargo, N.D. Directors Steve Arnhalt, Breckenridge, Minn. Brad Bonhorst, Fort Pierre, S.D. Guy Christensen, Enderlin, N.D. Clark Coleman, Bismarck, N.D. Jeff Oberholtzer, Mohall, N.D. Mike Odegaard, Bismarck, N.D. Don Schommer, Munich, N.D. Ron Seidel, Meadow, S.D. John Swanson, Mentor, Minn. Ben Vig, Sharon, N.D. Arnold Woodbury, Wyndmere, N.D. Leon Zimbelman, Keenesburg, Colo.
Executive Director John Sandbakken, Mandan, N.D.
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
Vol. 39 No. 2
February 2013
Page 14 Page 8
— FEATURES — January USDA Reports Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Old-crop markets stay strong; new-crop at discount for now
Calibrating for Top Planter Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 North Dakotans use technology developed by Precision Planting
Keeping the PA* on PA** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kansas research examines Palmer amaranth control
Confections: The 2013 Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Could be a very good year to grow confection sunflower
GoPicnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Company markets ready-to-eat meals with several key benefits
Sunflower Briefs
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30 Years Ago in The Sunflower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Cover — Photo: Don Lilleboe 3
Sunflower Briefs Record Yield in North Dakota in 2012
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The January USDA crop production report showed that 2012 was a record-setting year in North Dakota for both oil-type and confection sunflower. The January 11-released report revealed that oil-type sunflower averaged 1,750 lbs/ac in the state — 140 higher than the previous record yield of 1,610 set in 2005. For confections, this past year’s average yield was 1,580 lbs/ac, compared to the previous record of 1,520 set in 2006. North Dakota also reclaimed the spot as the nation’s top sunflower producer with 1.46 billion pounds, up 91% from the 766 million produced in 2011. Residual moisture left over from the wet 2011 is credited for the boost in yield this past year. In 2011, for the first time, South Dakota out-produced its northern neighbor by a small margin. South Dakota harvested just under 900 million pounds of sunflower in 2012, which was up 15% from 2011 — even though much of the state was impacted by drought conditions this past season. Extremely dry weather also hampered yields in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, much better growing conditions were prevalent in 2012 in Minnesota, where the average yield of 1,755 lbs/ac was the third highest on record. Nationwide, 2012 sunflower production totaled 2.79 billion pounds, up 37% from 2011. The average yield per acre increased by 115 pounds to 1,513 pounds. Planted area, at 1.92 million acres, was 24% above 2011 but still the third lowest since 1990. Area harvested increased 26% from 2011, to 1.84 million acres.
2013 Research Requests Total $540,000 The National Sunflower Association received 28 research project requests for 2013, totaling more than $540,000. The NSA Research Committee met in early January to review proposals and make recommendations to the NSA Board of Directors. The board will make final funding decisions during its late February meeting. Projects run the gamut from insect infestation studies to studies
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of diseases such as Phomopsis, downy mildew, Rhizopus head rot and rust. Additional topics include irrigation timing, glyphosate weed resistance and blackbird management, nitrogen management, double-cropping issues and plant spacing, among others. Some of the more-unique requests this year include evaluation of sunflower meal in dairy cow diets and utilization of sunflower hulls.
NSA Research Forum Draws 150-Plus More than 150 attendees heard research reports on a broad range of research topics at the annual NSA Sunflower Research Forum, held in Fargo, N.D., in early January. Of particular interest were reports on weed resistance in the High Plains and a new mode of action for insect control which will likely be available for the 2013 growing season. Two South Dakota State University researchers reported on what they deem as solutions to combine fires during sunflower harvest. Forum reports on the progress of breeding material for rust and Sclerotinia resistance were of great interest to crop advisors and confection sunflower processors. Forum presentations can be viewed on the NSA website — www.sunflowernsa.com — under the “Research” tab.
NSA Summer Seminar Set for June 25-27 The 31st NSA Summer Seminar returns to the scenic Badlands setting of Medora, N.D., on June 25-27. This year’s event begins on Tuesday with the NSA board meeting, registration and evening dinner and fundraiser. Educational/informational sessions begin early the next morning with panel discussions and keynote speakers. There will also be short breakout sessions that afternoon. Social events include the Curt Stern Scholarship fundraiser, dinner at the pitchfork fondue site, and golf at the Bully Pulpit Golf Course.
Reminder: Monitor Those Stored Seeds An uncommonly mild winter with fluctuating temperatures can present unique challenges to maintaining stored sunflower seed. Protect the investment by monitoring the seeds on a regular basis to avoid loss. Sample the seeds every three to four weeks during the winter months. Check the seeds, not the bin. Be observant for temperature, moisture, insect, fungi and odor differences from the previous inspection. Should a problem be detected, try to stabilize it with aeration. Should that fail, remove the seeds immediately. ■
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arkets January USDA Reports Analysis By Mike Krueger
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n January 11, the USDA released perhaps its most important series of reports of the current marketing year. These reports included the “final row crop production estimates” (including sunflower), winter wheat planted acres, December 1st quarterly stocks estimates and revised supply and demand numbers. The most important numbers were the December 1st quarterly stocks estimates. That’s because the stocks on hand as of December 1 included 2012 crop production. That meant it didn’t really matter as much how big or small the 2012 crops were; it was how much was left on December 1st that mattered the most. The bullish surprise on January 11 was that the corn stocks on hand on December 1st were as much as 200 million bushels below the average estimate or trade guess. That small stocks or supply number (more than 1.6 billion bushels smaller than December 1, 2011) essentially forced the USDA and the market to concede that feed consumption has continued to be much larger than anticipated. That resulted in a decline in corn ending supplies and a sharp rise in corn prices in the days following the report.
The real message of the quarterly stocks number was that the market has not rationed demand. It is also worth noting that sorghum supplies are also at bin-bottom levels and that the 2012 hay crop yield was the smallest since the mid-’70s. U.S. and world corn ending supplies in terms of day’s supply will be the smallest ever. Half of the world’s corn ending supplies will be in China — and they will not leave China. The world has a major feed grains problem until the 2013 Northern Hemisphere feed grains crops are harvested. There is no room for compromised yields again in 2013. The wheat numbers were also somewhat bullish for two reasons: • Planted acres of winter wheat were well below expectations • The very small corn and feed grain supplies mean we must feed more wheat.
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he soybean and oilseeds markets in general rallied following the report in conjunction with corn and soybeans. The soybean numbers in the reports were generally considered neutral. The USDA did increase the soybean crush estimate but did not change the export forecast. Soybean ending
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supplies were actually increased by five million bushels because of an increase in the 2012 yield forecast. There’s still a lot of debate over what the final ending supply number will be for soybeans. The U.S. soybean crushing rate is very strong and suggests the crush forecast might be too small. The soybean export pace also continues to be at a record large level. There is no evidence that U.S. or world soybean usage has been slowed or rationed at all. China continues to be a very aggressive buyer of soybeans and soybean oil. The pace of U.S. soybean exports will have to decline sharply at some point. Production in Argentina and Brazil is still expected to reach all-time record levels, but the world needs a big South American soybean crop to satisfy demand. Weather turned warm and dry across all of Argentina and southern Brazil in December and the first half of January. That injected a slight bit of weather premium into the soybean market. The “final” USDA sunflower production estimate confirmed that sunflower yields in 2012 were excellent despite the warm and dry summer. Like wheat, corn and soybeans, the Northern Plains yields for sunflowers were very good. The yield on all sunflower acres for North Dakota, for example, came in 27% above 2011 and exceeded 1,700 lbs/ac. All U.S. sunflower production came in 37% above the previous year. Sunflower producers should continue to enjoy the high prices brought about by a small world sunflower crop and extremely tight soybean and canola situation.
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he old-crop markets should continue to remain strong right through the spring planting season, based on the limited availability of supplies. They should, at the least, maintain strength through the critical crop insurance price discovery period of the month of February. If so, that will again set the stage for a profitable year in 2013, with or without the cooperation of the weather. The new-crop outlook will remain at a significant discount to old-crop prices until and unless the market becomes concerned about the ongoing drought profile that still encompasses nearly all of the western half of the U.S. That won’t happen until late spring. Trend-line wheat, corn and oilseed yields in 2013 will mean significantly lower new-crop prices. The unanswerable question is, when will the rains start and the drought disappear? It hasn’t happened yet. ■
Mike Krueger is owner of The Money Farm, a Casselton, N.D.-based grain marketing consulting firm. While the information in this article is believed to be reliable, marketing involves risk, and the author and The Sunflower assume no responsibility for its use.
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
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tors. He notes in the recently released survey results, “The average yield of 28 fields with plant distribution issues was 1,678 lbs/ac, compared with 21 fields with no stand problem or other problems yielding 2,158 lbs/ac. Producers should pay attention to their management and refine their technique while seeding sunflower. Planter calibration may be the first step to reducing skips and get better plant spacing within the row.”
Photos: Sonia Mullally
Finding a Solution
Calibrating for Top Planter Performance North Dakota Dealers Explain the Use & Benefits of Precision Planting’s Testing & Calibration Technology
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kips happen. But maybe they don’t have to. As a planter drops more than a dozen seeds a second, it’s difficult to manage every seed that’s landing into the row. However, difficult doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Equal distribution of plants is essential to obtaining the maximum yield. As a grower, you’ve heard it preached many times. Your response might be something like, “Easier said than done.” The 2012 NSA sunflower field survey results are in and starting to sound like a broken record. Irregular plant spacing within a row has consistently ranked as one of the top first and second limiting factors since the first survey was conducted in 2002. When field surveyors encounter a double or triple, where two or more plants are close together competing for sunlight and nutrients, the head size is
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smaller, the stalk is spindly, and none of the plants contribute much toward yield. Doubles and triples can be traced back to the planter. When skips are observed, the cause isn’t always as clear. Did the seed go in the ground as intended and not germinate for some reason? Did the plant emerge fine, only to be eaten by the local wildlife? Was it a victim of disease or some sort of genetic anomaly? There are plenty of reasons, but it makes sense to start at the source: the planter. Taking the necessary measures to achieve optimal plant stand begins with the proper equipment and calibration. Hans Kandel, NDSU extension agronomist and coordinator of the annual field survey, says, “Irregular plant spacing in the row may have been caused by poor seeding conditions, failure to adjust the planter, driving too fast, poor germination, disease, insect damage or other fac-
There’s no question that planters are remarkable machines, and the technology and engineering involved by all the major companies have come a long way in the past decade. Several companies that manufacture and sell planters have devised technology to fine-tune the process. So why is plant spacing such a difficult task to manage? The simple answer for a complicated issue is: It’s because there are multiple factors contributing. So is there a solution? Precision Planting has emerged as the industry leader in boosting planter productivity toward a solution to the issue of accurate plant stand. The Illinois-based company offers add-ons and specially tailored equipment for improving planter performance. They also have one of the more-popular test stands used to calibrate planters. It’s about taking it a step further to get all the fine detail and accuracy of which the state-of-the-art planters are capable. If the goal is to start at the source, the first step would be to properly calibrate the equipment. The company was founded in 1993 by Greg Sauter, an Illinois farmer and selfproclaimed perfectionist looking for ways to enhance the performance of planters. In 2012 the company was purchased by Monsanto. Acknowledging that it’s difficult to just clean and adjust an old meter up to today’s standards, the company has developed a line of tools to improve three main areas of planting: depth control, singulation and seed environment — all leading up to improved yield. Working around the country are Certified MeterMax representatives who are equipped with meter test stands to evaluate and make adjustments in order to improve performance in the field.
The Zahns of New England New England, N.D., brothers, Tom and Twig Zahn started operating a MeterMax test stand from Precision Planting in 2008 and have attended extensive training on how to maximize the potential of the company’s products. They are one of
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
Right: Brothers Twig (left) and Tom Zahn have been Precision Planting Premier Dealers in western North Dakota since 2008.
just 10 authorized dealers in North Dakota and among the “Premier Dealers” who have completed the most comprehensive training offered on Precision Planting products. Being the only dealers in the western half of the state, the Zahn test stand gets quite a workout in the “off season,” calibrating meters for farmers from all over the region. They use this diagnostic tool to evaluate the performance of vacuum, air and finger meters. Worn parts? Large seed? Variable seed sizes? Seed coatings? Questions about optimum speed? The MeterMax test stand answers all of these questions. As MeterMax technicians, the Zahns can fine tune the meters to gain 2, 3 or 4% improvement in singulation. The Zahns also stay busy with their seed business — Homestead Seeds. Tom is a certified crop advisor chosen as the North Dakota Ag Association’s CCA of the Year three years ago. But when they were looking to diversify their business, they learned of Precision Planting and figured it would be an easy transition to help their customers get the most potential out of their investment in seed and
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
planting equipment. Every fall and winter, the Zahns and a part-time seasonal employee spend countless hours working at the test stand. Each meter goes through standard testing that includes various steps. They clean, replace worn parts and properly balance the meter. Then they place the meter on the stand and add the specific seed sam-
ple (either corn or sunflower) that the farmer intends to plant. They set the test stand speed gauge to the planting speed and observe the meter errors using the sensor technology. Based on the readings, they adjust the meter and retest until all errors are eliminated. The adjustments are done with “trial and error” with the goal of 100% singulation with the
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fewest skips and multiples (or doubles). The farmer is provided with a printout of each meter’s performance on the stand.* During the meter calibration, they are looking to evaluate performance of the vacuum system, air and finger meters, worn parts, seed size and shape, optimum planting speed, etc. The meter can be fine-tuned to get the best singulation possible. Improvement in seed placement accuracy translates to better stand and means increased yield in the end. The Precision Planting MeterMax
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The Zahns say just about every type of planter meter has come through their shop. Based on experience, they know which equipment company dominates the market; but no matter the paint color of the planter, they will work on anything the grower brings to them. “The meter room is non-denominational, so to speak,” Tom notes. “Our goal is to get our customers the best performance out of their planter.” The Zahns says the greatest improvement that can be made with sunflower planting accuracy and singulation is with older-model finger units converted to Precision Planting equipment. “There are a lot of good planters out there,” Tom says. “Precision Planting just makes them better. Some guys are happy with 80% singulation. With Precision, we can get it to upwards of 95 to 98% and better. It’s about taking it to the next level and recognizing the added value.” The cost of calibration services and equipment varies based on the type of meter and services required. Calibration is recommended annually, but will depend on when a farmer changes seed and also wear and tear from season to season. Beyond calibration, the Zahns also are dealers of all the add-on equipment that the company has to offer the grower. However, they don’t install the equipment. They order the parts the grower desires and supervise the installation. They do this so the farmer understands how each piece of equipment works within the entire system. They offer tech support 24/7 for their customers when issues or questions arise. In addition to meter testing and calibration, Precision Planting offers a widerange of equipment for growers to enhance planter performance. The “basic kit” includes the monitor and the eSet® disk, a simple replacement for a current vacuum disk. The package includes the disk, baffle, singulator, brushes and seed extractor. All the components mount to an existing meter housing (1991 or newer). The 20/20 SeedSense® package is a full line of retrofit equipment. The key element begins with a touch-screen monitor with multiple functions reporting row-by-row population, skips, doubles, planting speed, down force, ground contact and more. A grower can also zero in on one particular row and identify specific problems. There’s also the 20/20 AirForce™ which monitors down force, allowing for adjustments depending on soil conditions. The 20/20 RowFlow™ monitors and adjusts variable rate and swath control, saving valuable seed. Another feature, WaveVision™, uses high-frequency waves to count every seed falling through
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
Right: A closer view of the Precision Planting meter test stand operated by the Zahn brothers at New England, N.D. They generally recommend calibration on an annual basis.
the tube to distinguish between a single seed from a double or triple, or from dust or debris. There is also additional equipment available to ensure uniform germination and deal with residue removal, as well as Precision meters and fingers to optimize singulation.
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outhwestern North Dakota farmer Reggie Pahl has used the Precision Planting equipment since 2006 and won’t plant his sunflower or corn acres without it. In fact, he and his neighbors were so impressed with the technology that he became an authorized dealer for some time before giving that up recently due to time constraints as well as farm and business commitments. “I’m no longer a dealer, but I will never stop using it,” Pahl observes. “Sunflower is no different than corn. If you figure out how to plant them right, it will enhance your yield more than you realize.” One of the newer features that impressed Pahl most is the RowFlow swath control making every seed count. “It’s set up to start and stop within 15 inches of an area that has already been planted. The accuracy is amazing; and when I figure up the bags of expensive seed I’ve saved by not planting the same ground twice — even a few rows here and there — I wouldn’t plant without it.” The Zahns estimate that a Precision Planting “basic kit” that includes the eSet disks, new seed tubes and the 20/20 Seed Sense monitor and all the hardware that goes with it would cost a grower approximately $9,000 for a 24-row box planter. The
cost can vary depending on the type of planter and equipment required for a conversion. While the technology isn’t cheap, growers who use it say it’s well worth the investment. Tom Zahn offers the analogy of a cook in the kitchen who values good tools. “Not every cook sees the value of a $70 knife in the kitchen, and some are just satisfied with the everyday knives,” he says. “But when it comes to planters, some guys see the value and take it to the next level — and they will see the difference it makes in their yield, no question.” — Sonia Mullally ■
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Keeping the PA* on PA** *Pressure Applied
**Palmer Amaranth
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fields in the eastern and south central districts of the state. Greenhouse tests indicated resistance among a number of the waterhemp populations as well as in two Palmer amaranth populations from south central Kansas. Additional Palmer amaranth seeds, collected in the fall of 2012, are now being evaluated as well, with preliminary results suggesting degrees of resistance in populations from near Wichita (Sedgwick County) and Great Bend (Barton County) “Palmer amaranth is an extremely competitive weed, and the development of glyphosate resistance means it will require an effective integrated weed management program to achieve acceptable control,” notes KSU weed scientist Dallas Peterson.
roducers in Kansas and adjacent High Plains states have, for several years, viewed Palmer amaranth as one of the most – if not the most – troublesome weeds in sunflower. The annual National Sunflower Crop Survey reported Palmer amaranth in 18% of surveyed fields as of 2005; by 2009 the level had risen to 90%. As of 2011 and 2012, all of the Kansas fields visited in the annual crop survey contained populations of this pigweed species. As of 2012, the concern quotient now has been ratcheted upward with the confirmation of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in the Sunflower State. Kansas State University weed scientists collected waterhemp and Palmer amaranth seeds in the fall of 2011 from various soybean and cotton
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“Continuing to rely only on glyphosate for weed control will only speed up the development of glyphosate-resistant weeds and diminish its effectiveness.” Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth is already a serious problem in the southeastern United States, Peterson adds, and has dramatically impacted weed control programs there and even cropping systems.
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hil Stahlman is well-versed in the challenges presented to sunflower growers by Palmer amaranth — and was so even prior to the discovery of glyphosate-resistant populations. The Kansas State University weed scientist, who is based at KSU’s Agricultural Research Center at Hays, has studied this weed for a number of years and been instrumental in the development of control recommendations. He focused on Palmer amaranth in a presentation at the recent 2013 National Sunflower Association Research Forum. This weed species, which now is present in roughly two-thirds of the lower 48 U.S. states, continues to slowly progress northward and westward. While not yet in Minnesota or the Dakotas, Stahlman expects it to eventually show up there as well. “Palmer amaranth is perhaps the most robust and aggressive of all the pigweed species, and it has largely displaced redroot pigweed in much of the central Great Plains,” he says. Among its telltale characteristics is terminal inflorescence: a single plant can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds in a single year. As a diecious species, there are both female and male Palmer amaranth plants. The males produce the pollen; the females the seed. Palmer amaranth thrives in hot, dry conditions and can grow up to several inches in a single day if conditions are ideal. It doesn’t like shade and hence often grows taller than whatever crop — including sunflower — is in the field. In Kansas, sunflower yield losses of more than 50% have occurred at even moderate densities of Palmer amaranth, Stahlman reports. (Just eight to 10 plants per square meter have cut soybean yields by nearly 80%.) It sounds ominous. But there are tools available to control this weed in sunflower. Stahlman has researched Palmer amaranth management for a number of years and, most recently, conducted a series of trials with financial support from the Kansas Sunflower Commission and the National Sunflower Association. In a 2010 pre-emergence trial conducted at both Hays and Colby, the KSU weed scientist looked at control of Palmer amaranth and several other weeds (tumble pigweed, kochia, puncturevine and green foxtail) with Spartan®, Dual Magnum®, Broadaxe® and Prowl® H2O. With Spartan at the 2.6-oz rate, Palmer amaranth control
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
T
he take-home message on Palmer amaranth control that Stahlman delivered to the Sunflower Research Forum audience boiled down to these points: • Single active ingredient herbicides generally have not been as effective as herbicide mixtures, though most producers have been sticking with single modes of action up to this point.
Photo: Don Lilleboe
came out at 83%; with Spartan at 3.2 oz, it was actually slighter lower. Dual Magnum provided 78 and 93% control, respectively, at the 12.1- and 15.1-oz rates. Broadaxe at 14.6 and 18.3 oz gave 89 and 100% control, respectively. Prowl H2O recorded 84% control at 48 oz. A 2011 trial, conducted at Hays and Manhattan (a higher-rainfall location) focused mainly on mid-season Palmer amaranth control with Broadaxe applied at 21 days prior to planting and also pre-emergence. Rates were 14, 18 and 22 oz. Control was quite strong at Hays with both application timings. At Manhattan, it was very good at pre-emergence but not strong with the preplant treatment. Another 2011 trial, conducted at Hays and Colby, looked at Palmer amaranth control with pre-emergence applications of Spartan and Zidua® combinations. At 49 days after planting, the addition of Zidua at 1.7 oz to a 2-oz Spartan increased Palmer amaranth control by about 9%; the addition of 1.7 oz of Zidua to a 4-oz Spartan level hiked control by 20%. Control was slightly better when 3.4 oz of Zidua was mixed with those two rates of Spartan, resulting in virtually 100% control when the Zidua rate was 6.7 oz. The 2012 growing season at Colby was, like across much of the High Plains, very dry. A pre-emergence trial produced extreme variability, with no treatment outstanding. The best results were from a mix of 4 oz of Spartan and 3.4 oz of Zidua.
“Palmer amaranth is perhaps the most robust and aggressive of all the pigweed species,” says KSU-Hays weed scientist Phil Stahlman. If not controlled, the plant will grow above whatever crop it competes with, including sunflower.
• Broadaxe has provided good to excellent control of several key weeds, including Palmer amaranth (though it is weak on puncturevine). (Broadaxe consists of a combination of the active ingredients in Spartan and Dual Magnum.) • Zidua is promising. However, its use rate may be limited by cost. More evaluation of early preplant applications of this herbi■ cide is needed, according to Stahlman. — Don Lilleboe © Archer Daniels Midland Company
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THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
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enced in 2012 in South Dakota, I like the fact that I can get an Act of God contract,” observes Tom Young, a South Dakota sunflower producer and chairman of the NSA Board of Directors. “It takes out some of the market risk and lets me sleep better at night.”
Is There a Market For My Product?
Confections: The 2013 Outlook By John Sandbakken
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he 2011 growing season was a year many sunflower producers want to forget. Excessively wet conditions prevented numerous acres from being planted in the Northern Plains, resulting in lost profit opportunities. In the High Plains, it was another story as severe drought took revenue from producers in a different way. In 2012 the weather turned around in North Dakota and Minnesota as producers harvested one of the best crops in years. Unfortunately, the drought that affected the High Plains intensified and crept into South Dakota. So what is in store for 2013? Well, at this point no knows for sure, but it looks like we will stay in a dry cycle for the time being. Most climatologists believe that much-above-average moisture will be needed to break the dry cycle in the sunJohn Sandbakken is executive director of the National Sunflower Association.
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flower production region. Given the current situation and sunflower’s drought tolerance attributes, this may be the time to consider planting confections in 2013. Confection sunflower has been one of the highest return-per-acre options available in this growing region. According to USDA figures, the national average price for confection sunflower has averaged $28.45/cwt since 2008. The national average yield during this same time was 1,415 lbs/ac. This represents a gross return of more than $400 per acre. Confection sunflower contracts also offer Act of God (AOG) production clauses. AOG clauses basically mean the producer doesn’t have a production risk. Should drought, hail, insects, disease, etc., result in a yield loss and you don’t have enough production per acre to cover your sale, the AOG clause kicks in. You are only obligated to deliver what you produced — not what you contracted. “Given the dry conditions we experi-
For a producer of confection or hullers, product demand is high and continues to grow each year. Domestically, consumption is increasing, with 75% of kernel produced in the U.S. consumed domestically. This compares to 10 years ago when only 39% of hulled seed production was consumed in the U.S. This is partially due to foreign competitors taking away some of the export markets, but domestically more and more products are using kernel than in past years. You can find kernel in multigrain breads, cereals, snack foods, SunButter® and other bakery items. The domestic market for kernel has grown 39% over the past 10 years. As mentioned previously, exports of kernel have lost some ground from where they were 10 years ago, but U.S. exporters are still active in the kernel market. The domestic demand for in-shell grew 2% in the most recent marketing year, with consumer demand staying steady over the past 10 years. In-shell exports were down slightly at 6% from the previous marketing year. But over the last decade, in-shell exports have grown by a whopping 86%. Domestic and international markets for U.S. confection in-shell sunflower seeds are growing each year. Though domestic demand has averaged about 5% growth annually, exports actually have enjoyed the most dynamic growth — especially in Mexico, the Middle East and Turkey — the past five years. “We want competition for our products so that we can create the best return per acre to the sunflower producer — and having strong export and domestic markets is great,” Young says. The overall quality of the 2012 confection crop was excellent. This reality may increase demand and customer satisfaction even more when competing with other snack foods.
What’s on the Horizon For Confection Sunflower? Confection sunflower really means inshell, and farmers should be selecting hybrids based on the percentage of large seed they will produce. Seed size and percentage nutmeat are two key variables to keep in mind when selecting confection hybrids. Seed size is generally evaluated as percent-
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
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Confection processors had good beginning stocks to start this marketing year, along with good crop production in 2012. But they’ll need to replenish supply with another good crop in 2013. age over a ‘___/64th’ round-hole screen, comparing 16, 18, 20 and 22, the four most common sizes. In the United States, 90 to 95% of planted confection sunflower hybrids are
considered “long types” by the industry. These would be seeds in a range of 5/8” to 3/4” inch in length. The remainder of the industry is divided into smaller roundshaped seeds and the extra longs that are
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7/8” to 1” in length. In Canada, 75% of the seeds produced are the small roundshaped confection type. Demand is particularly high for largesize seeds. The percentage of confection seed size over a 20/64 screen is becoming increasingly important with processors. The export market prefers the longer seed, so processors are buying more on seed size — which is becoming more of a price factor. So the larger the percentage of seed over a 20/64 round hole screen, the better. “The advent of Clearfield® hybrid confection varieties is a huge step forward for the industry and will put us on a level playing field with other commodities,” says Tim Petry, field production manager for SunOpta Sunflower. Petry foresees more hybrids evolving with better agronomics as the main focus. “We want to maintain large seed size, coupled with enhanced agronomics and yields, while keeping profitability to the producer in mind,” Petry says. Other confection processors, such as CHS Sunflower, have an ExpressSun® confection hybrids that produce large seed for the in-shell market also available for the 2013 growing season.
With More Large-Seed Hybrids, How Many Acres Will Be Needed? Confection processors had good beginning stocks to start this marketing year, along with good crop production in 2012. But they’ll need to replenish supply with another good crop in 2013. Harvested confection ’flower acreage in 2012 was slightly less than 250,000 with an average yield of 1,548 lbs/ac. The confection industry is looking for a 15-20% increase in 2013 to reach a goal this year of 300,000 acres. Annual growth of 10 to 15% will be needed for the next two to three years to keep up with demand, as the industry focuses on reaching the 400,000acre plateau. The 2013 new-crop prices are out. Early contracts were offering $32.00/cwt in the Dakotas and Minnesota. In the High Plains, contracts are in the neighborhood of $36/$25 for split-price contracts. Producers interested in growing confection sunflower are encouraged to check out this link for a contact list of confection processors: http://www.sunflowernsa.com/buyers/detail.asp?categoryID=3 As mentioned, confection sunflower contracts offer Act of God production clauses. Some processors are also offering storage incentives for later delivery and freight incentives for various locations. The best online resource for tracking new-crop sunflower bids is the National Sunflower Association website: www.sunflowernsa.com/daily-market-news/ ■
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
How did GoPicnic get its start?
Chicago-Based Company Markets Ready-to-Eat Meals That Are Nutritious, Compact, Shelf-Stable & Allergen-Free
Images: GoPicnic
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ast-paced lifestyles leave us on the go and in a hurry all the time. When we’re hungry, too often it involves a quick trip through the fast food drive-thru lane. But thanks to GoPicnic® and their line of ready-to-eat meals, there are more choices than ever before when eating on the run. It’s hard to believe that a meal can be nutritious, delicious and compact at the same time. But GoPicnic meals boast that they are small enough to fit in a briefcase, backpack or purse. Every nutritionally balanced, shelf-stable meal combines a mix of protein, fiber and fruit, plus there’s no trans fats, no high-fructose corn syrup, no added monosodium glutamate (MSG) and no artificial flavors and colors. It’s a lot to ask of a complete meal, but GoPicnic delivers. In 2011, the Chicago-based company added a new meal featuring SunButter and crackers. The all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, kosher meal also includes seed and fruit trail mix, dried fruit bar and a chocolate cookie for dessert. The meal was created from demand from customers looking for an allergen-free alternative. The SunButter + Crackers meal is the sixth gluten-free meal in the GoPicnic line-up of meals — all under 500 calories. The company’s goal was to improve the accessibility of healthier allergen-free products that are ideal for on-the-go lifestyles while making it easy for people with allergen sensitivities. Not only are the meals portable, compact and nutritious while avoiding the seven common allergens; they are also shelf-stable. As long as an individual food item is unopened and kept at room temperature, it's good until its individual expiration date. GoPicnic offers excellent ingredients and high-performance packaging methods, not chemicals and artificial preservatives, to keep products fresh for an extended period of time without refrigeration. They claim to offer the closest thing you can get to fresh food in a box. One might think that packaging up all these attributes into one tiny box is a tall order. But Julia Stamberger, CEO and president of GoPicnic, offers some insight into how her company does it so well. — Sonia Mullally
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In 2003, I was brought into United Airlines as business development manager, ancillary revenue programs. This is where I conceived the entire ready-to-eat meal snackbox solution now adopted by airlines worldwide. These new onboard retail programs enabled airlines to provide passengers food options with consistent quality and availability inflight, increasing both operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. In 2006, at the age of 31, I left United Airlines and founded GoPicnic to bring the concept of nutritionally balanced, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals to new markets. Within a couple years, interest began growing rapidly beyond airlines. In May 2010, we debuted GoPicnic’s care packages to allow consumers to send flavorful food boxes to far-away family and friends. In January 2011, GoPicnic introduced eight new readyto-eat boxed meals for the retail market, which are available at nationwide grocery, specialty, and mass merchandise stores, as well as online. GoPicnic today offers five classic deli meals and nine all-natural meals, including four new premium meals under the new all-natural Gold line. Nine of the 14 meals are gluten-free meals, making them easy, quick and safe on-the-go meal options for consumers with gluten sensitivity or for those following a gluten-free diet. We also offer meal solutions for consumers requiring special diets like vegetarian, kosher or vegan. Our footprint continues to expand into several major retailers such as Target, 7Eleven, Costco, Whole Foods, Roundy’s, and into many airport stores, newsstands, hotels and hundreds of colleges and universities. Explain the idea behind creating readyto-eat meals? The idea originally began as an onboard revenue program for the airlines that reduced waste and required zero prep time. The airlines were also able to increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction with GoPicnic boxed meals. As GoPicnic evolved, we realized that there was a gap in the marketplace. While there were ready-to-eat meals, they were expensive and not very good. None of the meals were packed with wholesome, high-quality ingredients. GoPicnic wanted to change that by creating a ready-to-eat option that was healthy and nutritious rather than high in fat or sodium and overall unsatisfying to the consumer. We worked endlessly to revolutionize the concept of boxed meals that were nutritionally balanced, shelf-stable and require no refrigeration, heating or preparation. No bigger than a hardcover novel, GoPicnic boxed meals are easy to transport in a laptop bag, backpack or handbag, and are meant to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. All GoPicnic meals are fewer than 500 calories each, completely free of artificial colors and flavors, and contain no trans fats, highfructose corn syrup or added MSG. GoPicnic all-natural meals additionally contain no artificial preservatives. Each GoPicnic meal
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
comes with five individually wrapped products: a protein, fruit, whole grain and sweet treat for dessert. GoPicnic can be eaten as an entire well-balanced meal or piece by piece. SunButter® was launched as part of a GoPicnic meal in 2011. Why SunButter? We understand the challenges people with food allergies and intolerances face, which is why GoPicnic and Enjoy Life Foods went to great lengths to create a meal that is not only convenient for people requiring special diets, but tastes great. We created SunButter® + Crackers on popular demand from customers who rely on us for delicious, wholesome meals that are safe for people with multiple allergies. SunButter + Crackers is a no-refrigeration, no-preparation meal that is also vegan, gluten-free and free of seven common allergens: wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, fish and shellfish. SunButter + Crackers includes individually packaged portions of SunButter Creamy Sunflower Seed Spread, Crunchmaster® Multi-Grain Crackers, Enjoy Life® Mountain Mambo® Seed & Fruit Trail Mix, Niagara Natural™ Simply Fruit Tropical Bites and Enjoy Life® Double Chocolate Crunchy Cookie. An excellent balanced meal option for lunch, dinner or anytime, SunButter + Crackers has only 490 calories, with 9g fiber and 12g protein.
ships, sampling, sponsorship and social media. We work closely with the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center and many industry experts nationwide to make sure our products meet the requirements of the FDA. We also work with hundreds of glutenfree and allergen-free community groups Julia Stamberger throughout the year, whether it is supporting their local meetings or supplying products for the finish line of a race. We also partner with daily deal sites like Groupon, Living Social and Gilt to provide consumers with exciting discounts. How do the peanut-free movement and allergen-free community continue to create demand for your products? As the number of people living with food allergies continues to grow, the demand for great-tasting allergen-friendly foods continues to rise. We will continue to take the necessary steps to significantly improve the accessibility to healthier allergenfree products that are ideal for on-the-go
lifestyles, making it easy for people with allergen sensitivities to safely enjoy a satisfying meal outside the home. What’s on the horizon for your company? We recently launched our premium GoldStar meals line, originally developed for Whole Foods Markets and other specialty food stores. Our GoPicnic line includes Gluten Free, Vegan and non GMO Project verified meals and uses only natural premium ingredients. This new line of meals includes: Three Bean Dip + Rice Chips, BBQ Beef Stick + Cheese Crackers, Edamame Kale Dip + Plantain Chips and Almond Butter + Crackers. Last year, we created GoPicnic Concept Labs, a sister company to GoPicnic Brands Inc., that specializes in innovative custom meal solutions for airline travelers, athletes, event planners and other markets where tasty food solutions are desired. GoPicnic Concept Labs’ food brokerage, GP Emporium, represents more than 50 top quality manufacturers of tasty and innovative products including great options for a la carte and tray setups along with foodservice solutions. The GoPicnic website is going through an evolution and re-design for 2013. Check them out at www.gopicnic.com. ■
Your meals present interesting combinations. How do you come up with the ideas for each different component of the convenient self-contained meal? We carefully listen to the consumer. We also speak with brands, industry experts, attend trade shows and conduct our own research. Based on their feedback and years of industry knowledge, we carefully design each meal with the right mix of products to make it nutritionally balanced, delicious and satisfying. GoPicnic only partners with top-quality manufacturers to develop products featured in GoPicnic meals, including Crunchmaster, Old Wisconsin and popchips. GoPicnic also features its own high-quality brands, including Sweet Perry Orchards, Copper Cowbell and Professor Zim Zam’s Extraordinary Sweets. Explain your marketing strategy to the allergen-free community? Last year we introduced new branding and began positioning GoPicnic as the ideal solution for that “hangry” feeling – that grouchy condition you get when you’re really hungry. We leverage every asset at our disposal: PR, e-marketing, blogger relations, partner-
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
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30 Years Ago Excerpts from the February 1983 Issue of The Sunflower
“Sojka notes that some Georgia/South Carolina farmers tried sunflower on a full-season basis a few years ago; but promises and expectations of outstanding yields did not, for the most part, come to pass. And as a result, interest in the crop has waned. “ ‘Also, when planted as a primary crop in mid-season (midMay to late June), insect and disease pressures in our hot and humid environment can be severe,’ Sojka adds. ‘And despite popular conception by Northerners, our environment is also subject to frequent severe drought stress. . . . “With a growing season normally stretching from late February to late November, double- and multicropping becomes a way for the region’s farmers to make maximum use of their land — and, Sojka suggests, provides an opportunity for sunflower to gain a foothold . . . . Sojka and his co-workers are currently exploring two double-cropping systems: early corn followed by summer-planted sunflower, and early sunflower followed by summer-planted soybeans.” Mustard: Persistent Sunflower Foe / By Don Lilleboe — “Though the state of the art of mustard control has progressed beyond hand weeding, the problem itself is certainly still with us. A 1979 North Dakota State University survey found wild mustard to be the second most common weed problem in that state’s cultivated fields (behind foxtail). Among sunflower fields specifically, the survey found that 75 percent of those checked statewide contained some mustard. “John Nalewaja, NDSU weed scientist, regards wild mustard as presently the most threatening weed to North Dakota’s sunflower crop — and this in a state which produces some 70 percent of the nation’s sunflower. Though foxtail is more prevalent across the state, Nalewaja suggests that it is not as great a threat to crop yields due to the wide range of available control measures. “At present, the sunflower grower’s arsenal for battling wild mustard essentially consists of the herbicide Amiben (preemergence by itself or in tank mixes with various preplant incorporated herbicides) and/or mechanical control via such implements as the harrow or rotary hoe. A postemergent herbicide, Betanex, received a restricted Experimental Use Permit (EUP) on sunflower in Minnesota and North Dakota last year and will likely be available under an emergency use permit in 1983.”
A Kansas History Lesson — “Ever wondered how the sunflower came to be the state flower of Kansas? H.A. Stephens, writing in an issue of The Kansas School Naturalist, published by Emporia (Kan.) State University, offered this explanation: “ ‘According to an article published I the Kansas City Star on August 16, 1948, back in 1880 Noble Prentis, a well-known writer and editor, wrote in the Atchison Champion that the sunflower ought to be made the emblem of our state. Nothing further was done about it. “ ‘But in 1901, George P. Morehouse, a Senator from Council Grove, attended the big annual rodeo and annual picnic in Colorado Springs (Colo.), where each nearby state had a special day. The Missourians came out wearing buttons ‘You’ll have to show me.’ But the Kansans had made no such preparations, so Morehouse and his friends borrowed a wagon and team, went out on the prairies east of Colorado Springs and brought back a wagon load of sunflowers. Each Kansan registering at the event was given one of the flowers to wear at the meeting. This started the ball rolling, and in 1903 the Legislature voted to make sunflower our state emblem.’ ” Research Explores S.E. Sunflower Potential — “Sunflower may never become a major full-season crop in the Southeast, but Robert Sojka believes it shows enough potential for inclusion in double- or multicropping systems to justify some needed research. The USDA soil scientist and his colleagues at the Coastal Plains Research Center in Florence, S.C., are now entering their third year of evaluation of sunflower for cropping systems in the region.
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Sunflower’s Been a Profit Maker for This Texan / By Don Lilleboe — “ ‘We’ve had tough times here for the last four years, but I’ve made a little money on sunflower every year,’ states Robert Gallman of Friona, Texas. Yet, though it’s been a paying crop, Gallman has no plans to significantly expand his sunflower acreage. “His rotation schedule is the reason why. Part of sunflower’s value for Gallman has been that it fits in well with his other crops: cotton, wheat, seed grain sorghum and corn. In order to keep his rotation in balance, he prefers to not plant sunflower more than once every four years on the same ground. “Control of Johnson grass, one of the main problem weeds in his region, has been another asset of sunflower, according to Gallman. ‘I’ve cleaned up farms in half the time it would take me to clean them by planting cotton and using a rope wick,’ he says. ‘Sunflower shades the Johnson grass, and it hardly heads out.’ ” SIGCO Event Draws 1,800 — “William Lesher, USDA economist and chief architect of the payment-in-kind (PIK) program, was a featured speaker at SIGCO Research’s annual Sunflower Day, held in Jamestown, N.D., for the first time. Approximately 1,800 farmers and other visitors heard the day’s speakers and viewed commercial exhibits. . . . In a sample survey taken at the Sunflower Day, 90 percent of the farmers responding said they would likely participate in the PIK program. The other 10 percent wanted more information before indicating. ■
THE SUNFLOWER February 2013
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BRINGING BETTER YIELDS TO LIGHT When you’re looking to maximize your sunflower acres, look no further than Pioneer® brand sunflower hybrids. DuPont Pioneer offers the choices you want to help maximize yield and oil. All of our hybrids offer elite genetics and many come with the DuPont™ ExpressSun® herbicide tolerance trait, a non-transgenic gene which provides tolerance to postemergence applications of DuPont™ Express® herbicide with TotalSol® soluble granules. Rely on our knowledgeable service team and your Pioneer sales professional to match the right product with the right acre.
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