USDA Cuts Final Sunseed Estimate

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/15 - SNS -- The 2014 sunflower production totaled 2.21 billion pounds in the United States, up 10% from 2013 but down 10% from the October forecast, according to the USDA's final crop estimates for 2014.

The United States average yield per acre increased 89 pounds from last year to 1,469 pounds. Planted area, at 1.56 million acres, is 1% below last year and represents the second lowest planted area since 1976. Area harvested increased 3% from last year to 1.51 million acres but is the third lowest since 1976.

For the third time since data for both States began to be published in 1977 and the second year in a row, South Dakota out-produced North Dakota to be the leading sunflower-producing State during 2014. Production in South Dakota is estimated at 877 million pounds, a decrease of 12% from 2013. Meanwhile, production in North Dakota increased 41%, mostly due to an increase in planted area of 33% compared with last year as the crop bounced back from cool temperatures and wet conditions last spring that sharply reduced the amount of sunflower that was seeded in 2013. Compared with last year, eight of the nine major sunflower-producing States showed an increase in yield, with Minnesota being the only State to show a decline.