Due to the demand for sunflower oil globally, National Sunflower Association Executive Director John Sandbakken expected an increase in sunflower acres coming into the planting season. The delayed planting season may boost sunflower acres even more. “A few areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota are up against the final planting date for the earlier planted crops. Sunflowers are a good option. Our first final planting date is June 10 in northern North Dakota, June 15 in the southern part of the state. Minnesota’s final planting date for sunflowers is June 15.” Sandbakken says farmers in northeastern and northwestern North Dakota may switch acres from corn or spring wheat to raise sunflowers. “Based on seed sales and if everything gets planted, we’re looking at a 20 percent increase. It’s not a bad situation for the sunflower market. Our crop was smaller in 2021 due to the drought, but with the added demand from Ukraine, we’ll take every single acre we get.”
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