Sunseed Harvest Sinks 47%

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/07 - SNS -- Sunflower output in the United States came in at 2.14 billion pounds in 2006, down 47% from 2005 but up 5% from 2004, according to the USDA 's final production estimate for 2006.

The U.S. average yield per acre decreased 329 pounds from last year's record high yield to 1,211 pounds. Planted area, at 1.95 million acres, is 28% below last year but 4% above 2004. Acreage harvested decreased 32% from last year to 1.77 million acres.

Production in North Dakota, the leading State, is estimated at 1.11 billion pounds, down 36% from 2005. Their 2006 yield per acre, at 1,296 pounds, is down 290 pounds from last year's record high yield. Planted and harvested acres in North Dakota decreased from 2005 by 21 and 22%, respectively.

In Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, yields are also down sharply from last year's record high yields. Minnesota is the only State with a yield increase from last year, at 1,756 pounds per acre, up 308 pounds from 2005. This is Minnesota's second highest yield on record, behind only the 1991 record yield of 1,781 pounds per acre.

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