Near Doubling of Sunflower Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/06 - SNS -- The 2005 sunflower production totaled 4.02 billion pounds, up 96% from 2004 and 51% above 2003, according to the USDA's final crop production report for 2005.

The U.S. average yield per acre increased 342 pounds from 2004 to a record high 1,540 pounds. Planted area, at 2.71 million acres, is 45% above last year and the highest area since 2000. Acreage harvested increased 53% from last year to 2.61 million acres, the highest acreage since 2000.

Production in North Dakota, the leading State, is estimated at 1.75 billion pounds, up 121% from 2004. The 2005 yield per acre is a record high, at 1,586 pounds, up 584 pounds from last year. Planted and harvested acres increased from 2004 by 30 and 40%, respectively. Record high yields are also recorded in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota this year.

U.S. production of oil type sunflower varieties, at 3.17 billion pounds, increased 80% from 2004. Harvested acres are up 43% from the previous year and the yield increased by 323 pounds.

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