Little Change in Birdseeds

VANCOUVER - Sep 21/14 - SNS -- North American birdseed ingredient markets were unchanged to slightly weaker on increased deliveries of new crop product.

This was reflected in a decline in white proso millet values in the United States. Oil type sunflower markets finished on a mixed note, with grower bids in North Dakota advancing despite weakness in Kansas.

Discussing markets, the U.S. based National Sunflower Association (NSA) said prices "ended the week mixed at down 15 to up 30 cents for September delivery. New crop prices were lower losing 15 cents.

"The market is trading sideways to mostly lower. . . . Some traders think oilseed and product prices will be on hold until more is known about the final US crop size, farmer selling pace and overall demand for the expected big crop. Talk of higher than expected harvest yields and a good two week harvest weather outlook have offered resistance to old and new crop prices.

"Weather forecasts for drier weather through September for much of the central United States should help harvesting which has begun in the south and south-central oilseed production areas. Overall oilseed crops largely remain in good to excellent condition based on weekly USDA crop reports. At the moment weather forecasts show few threats to maturing crops in Northern production areas and this has been a drag on prices."