Smaller Sunflower Harvest Expected

WASHINGTON - Oct 8/10 - SNS -- Sunflower production in the United States is forecast at 2.91 billion pounds, down 4% from 2009, according to the latest USDA crop production esimates.

Area planted, at 1.95 million acres, is down 7% from the June estimate and down 4% from last year. Sunflower growers expect to harvest 1.87 million acres, down 7% from June and down 4% from the 2009 acreage. The October yield forecast, at 1,552 pounds per acre, is 2 pounds lower than last year's record high yield.

As of October 1, higher yields are expected in six of the top nine sunflower- producing States, with only Colorado, Kansas, and South Dakota farmers expecting lower yields compared with last year.

In North Dakota, the largest sunflower-producing State, the yield is forecast at a record high 1,638 pounds per acre, up 120 pounds from the 2009 yield. Development of the sunflower crop in North Dakota generally progressed ahead of last year but behind normal. As of October 3, 69% of the sunflower crop in North Dakota was rated good to excellent, compared with 74% at the same time last year. As of October 3, harvest progress was behind normal in Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, but was slightly ahead of normal in Colorado.