North Dakota Ag Connection - Sunflowers Blooming Across Minnesota, North Dakota

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Sunflowers Blooming Across Minnesota, North Dakota
North Dakota Ag Connection - 07/29/2020

Sunflowers are beginning to bloom; 21% of North Dakota's sunflower fields are reported blooming and 72% of that state's sunflower crop is reported in good to excellent condition. Minnesota growers report that 74% of the state's crop rates good to excellent.

The National Sunflower Association reminds growers that rust is most often found on the lower under-side of leaves. The pustules are cinnamon-red and readily recognizable. Yield loss can occur and control measures should be considered when rust reaches approximately 1% severity on the upper four leaves and the plant is in the vegetative stages until it reaches the R6 stage. An infestation on the upper leaves at R6 or later will not likely have a negative yield affect. Fortunately, rust can be managed with well-timed fungicide applications. To learn more about rust, go to the Association's website at https://bit.ly/39ANq3x.

Bruce Speich's confection sunflowers are starting to bloom. Speich planted about 340 acres of confection 'flowers on his farm near Wyndmere, N.D., in the southeastern corner of the state. He told Association reporters that timely rains have helped the sunflowers and so far he hasn't seen any insect or disease issues.

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