How much do sunflowers yield per acre?
Properly managed sunflowers might yield 1000 to 1400 pounds per acre dryland, and perhaps 50% more under irrigation. Sunflowers are adapted to a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions but perform best when grown on good land and provided sound management practices. Some soils consistently produce larger yields of sunflowers than other soils.
How many cups are in a pound of sunflower seeds?
pounds to US cups of Sunflower seeds 1 pound 3.41 ( 3 1 / 3 ) US cups 2 pounds 6.82 ( 6 3 / 4 ) US cups 4 pounds 13.6 ( 13 2 / 3 ) US cups 5 pounds 17.1 ( 17 ) US cups
How wide do sunflowers need to be?
Sunflowers are a row crop, but the row width varies depending upon the equipment available. Performance has been better when the width of the row has been between 20 and 30 inches, however, widths as wide as 40 inches and as narrow as 14 inches have produced good yields.
What are the production requirements of sunflower?
Key Production Requirements: 1 Planting Dates. ... 2 Row Width and Plant Population. ... 3 Cultural Practices. ... 4 Fertilizer Requirements. ... 5 Water-Irrigation Needs: The sunflower plant is drought tolerant and has an extensive, heavily branched root system which permits it to extract more deep soil moisture than corn roots.
How much do sunflowers yield per acre?
An average sunflower yield per acre is around 68 – 75 bushels. The world record sunflower yield of 184.68 bushels per acre was harvested in 2016 in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The main factors affecting sunflower yield are: Climate and place of planting.
Is it profitable to farm sunflowers?
“If you look at the analyses in the North Dakota State University crop budgets, the sunflower crop is, year in and year out, on a per acre basis, one of the most profitable crops farmers can grow.
How much oil does an acre of sunflowers produce?
Dryland sunflower yields generally average 1,300 pounds/acre, but yields over 2,000 pounds/acre in irrigated or high rainfall conditions are not uncommon. Average oil content is 40 to 42%. Oil yield extracted from the sunflower seed ranges from 35 to 80 gallons per acre.
How do you calculate sunflower yield?
Yield calculation Multipliers used: 2,450 x plant population x head size x seed size x good seed count x center seed set x no bird damage = lbs/acre. Yield calculations for this example field would therefore be: 2,450 x 1.0 x 0.73 x 1.0 x 0.95 x 0.975 x 0.98 = 1623 lbs/acre.
How much do sunflowers sell for?
Sunflowers. The early-blooming varieties – at under 60 days to harvest – are popular market sellers. Some growers prefer to sell individual stems at $4-$6 each.
How much are sunflowers worth?
LONDON (AP) _ An anonymous buyer Monday paid $39.85 million for Vincent van Gogh's ″Sunflowers,″ a dazzling yellow work the artist once hoped to sell for $125. The price was more than triple the record for an auctioned painting.
What is the average yield of sunflowers?
Past production studies have shown average yields of around 2000 pounds per acre for full season sunflower, and 1500 pounds per acre for double crop sunflower. Yield potential for both types of production is as much as 25-35% higher than these averages, when soils and rainfall are not limiting.
How long do sunflowers take to grow?
between 80 and 120 daysThere are various varieties of sunflowers, and each one will grow at a different rate. On average, though, it takes between 80 and 120 days for a plant to mature and develop seeds.
How do sunflowers add value?
Value-added Products Growing sunflower types that produce specialty oils may allow for adding value at the farm level if a contract can be procured. Confectionary sunflower seeds are used for food-grade seeds, packaged seeds and ingredients.
Why do farmers grow sunflowers?
Why grow sunflowers? There are many benefits to growing these beautiful blooms including their cut flowers and free edible seeds. They also attract pest-patrolling birds and bees to improve your harvest, and even help detox contaminated soil. These flowers are not just pretty faces!
How do farmers harvest sunflowers?
2:274:45Sunflower Harvest in North Dakota - America's Heartland - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhite coloring out to a black color sunflowers are harvested using a combine that's been adapted toMoreWhite coloring out to a black color sunflowers are harvested using a combine that's been adapted to take the seed a threshing unit separates the seeds from the sunflower heads.
How much space do you need between sunflowers?
Sow and Plant Poke seeds into the soil about 1 inch (3 cm) deep and 3 inches (8 cm) apart. Thin to 12 inches (30 cm) apart in all directions for dwarf varieties. Extremely tall sunflowers or those that grow into multi-branched bushes may require 3 feet (1 meter) between plants.
How much do sunflower seeds cost?
Sunflowers seeds run approximately $25 per 10 pounds of seed. If broadcasting, plant about 25 pounds per acre. If drilling, plant approximately 20 pounds per acre. Plant seeds and then use a cultipacker to put them at the appropriate depth. Don’t put them too deep.
How to grow sunflowers without soil?
Begin with a soil test. Sunflowers can be difficult to grow without adequate soil nutrients. If you opt out of a soil test, spread roughly 200 pounds of 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 per acre. Spray and bush hog if drilling. Spray, bush hog and disc if broadcasting. Good seed-to-soil contact is key.
Is sunflower good for deer?
But it’s also good for deer. In climates where sunflowers will grow, plant them. They’re very high in protein and offer deer a unique food source that your neighbors likely won’t have. That’s the name of the game. Give deer foods to eat they can’t get elsewhere.
Do sunflowers need full sun?
It’s a fairly hardy plant species. Don’t plant in shaded areas. Sunflowers need full sun to do well. I prefer planting in areas that have rich, well-drained soil, too. Furthermore, doing so close to a bedding or staging area can really enhance the amount of daylight deer activity you see.
How wide should sunflowers be planted?
Performance has been better when the width of the row has been between 20 and 30 inches, however, widths as wide as 40 inches and as narrow as 14 inches have produced good yields. Row spacing with conventional height sunflower should correspond with harvest equipment. A difference of a few inches in row width would not justify the investment for a different set of equipment.
How long does it take for sunflowers to mature?
Most sunflower varieties mature in 85 to 95 days. As maturity progresses with heat units, it takes early planted sunflowers longer to mature than later planted acreage of the same variety. Maturity of the crop is also hastened by photoperiod in late plantings.
What is the most common pest of sunflowers in Texas?
The sunflower moth is the most common pest of sunflowers in Texas. The larvae of the insect overwinters in soil and the adult moth emerges in early spring. The first generation is maintained by wild host plants. The second and third generations by eggs on both wild and cultivated sunflowers and these constitute the major threat to commercial sunflower crops.
What are sunflowers used for in Texas?
Sunflowers are grown in Texas for four principal marketing objectives. Confectionary sunflower in the large seeded white stripe sunflower which is grown for human consumption and bird feed. The hybrid oil type sunflower is utilized as a source of high quality vegetable oil with the extracted meal utilized as a protein source in livestock feed. Hybrid oil types are also used in bird feed mixtures. Another popular use for sunflower plantings is a food plot for wild birds, mostly white winged and mourning doves. Properly managed sunflowers might yield 1000 to 1400 pounds per acre dryland, and perhaps 50% more under irrigation.
What temperature does a sunflower grow?
Seed will germinate at 42 degrees Fahrenheit but a 50 degree temperature is more satisfactory for uniform stands.
What temperature kills sunflowers?
Temperatures must be 26 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for several hours to kill mature plants. Climatic conditions during seed development affect fatty acid composition of the oil which determines its food value. Tolerance to cold and high temperatures contributes to sunflower adaptation in different environments.
Where are sunflowers grown?
Sunflowers are presently grown from North Dakota and Minnesota south to Texas. In addition, sunflowers are grown in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Most oil and confectionary cultivars presently available are the result of hybridization.
Cultivation
- Sunflowers are grown in Texas for four principal marketing objectives. Confectionary sunflower in the large seeded white stripe sunflower which is grown for human consumption and bird feed. The hybrid oil type sunflower is utilized as a source of high quality vegetable oil with the extracted meal utilized as a protein source in livestock feed. Hybr...
Advantages
- Under dryland farming, medium and moderately fine textured soils that have moderate to good internal drainage are better suited for sunflowers than are the coarse or the many fine textured soils. Soils such as the loams; silt loams, clay loams, and silty clay loams usually have moderate to large water holding capacities and are not as drouthy as the sands; sandy loams, and loamy s…
Characteristics
- Sunflowers are of either standard height or double dwarf. The dwarf sunflower seldom achieves more that 40 inches in height while standard height hybrids can exceed 6 feet if growing conditions are good. The primary advantage of dwarf hybrids is lodging resistance. Dwarf hybrids are often planted in narrow rows at higher populations, whereas standard height hybrids are bes…
Equipment
- Sunflowers are a row crop, but the row width varies depending upon the equipment available. Performance has been better when the width of the row has been between 20 and 30 inches, however, widths as wide as 40 inches and as narrow as 14 inches have produced good yields. Row spacing with conventional height sunflower should correspond with harvest equipment. A d…
Management
- Proper adjustment and operation of planting equipment is one of the most important operations in sunflower production. Yield potential of the field can be influenced greatly by the population distribution as well as the number of plants. Plateless and air-planters have been used effectively to get good seed distribution. However, conventional planters will provide good seed distributio…
Research
- To date, use of micronutrients has not been shown to give profitable responses. If for some reason a micronutrient problem is suspected, it is suggested that a soil test be obtained to evaluate crop needs.
Toxicity
- Experienced producers will watch their fields for insects and take appropriate action if they are found. Many insects are attracted to the field during flowering; therefore, insects should be properly identified before indiscriminately spraying
Biology
- The sunflower moth is the most common pest of sunflowers in Texas. The larvae of the insect overwinters in soil and the adult moth emerges in early spring. The first generation is maintained by wild host plants. The second and third generations by eggs on both wild and cultivated sunflowers and these constitute the major threat to commercial sunflower crops.
Life cycle
- The adult is a light brown to buff colored moth. Female moths lay eggs in or between the individual flower tubes on the sunflower head during the bloom stage. The eggs hatch in 48 to 72 hours and the newly-hatched larva (about 1/8 inch large and yellowish in color) feed on the surface of the flower for about 2 days. They then tunnel into developing seed and the fleshy rece…
Conservation
- The carrot beetle must be considered an occasional threat to successful sunflower production in the southwestern United States. Sunflowers in the Texas rolling plains have sustained severe damage by this species. Light-trap catches of 10,000 beetles per night in May and August are not uncommon in this region. Carrot beetles feed on the roots of sunflowers, causing plants to wilt a…
Appearance
- Adult carrot beetles are similar in appearance to the common June bug or May beetle except that they are darker (deep reddish-brown to black) in color. Carrot beetles occur throughout the High and Rolling Plains and damage sunflowers by burrowing into the soil and feeding on the roots. Due to this root pruning, damaged plants take on a drought-stressed appearance and may event…
Diagnosis
- Disease problems should be verified by the Plant Disease Clinic (take sample to your County Extension Agent) for proper identification and control recommendations.
Risks
- Sunflowers in North America are exposed to more diseases at a greater intensity than they are in most other parts of the world. If the grower uses certain disease preventive practices, he can hold yield and quality losses to tolerable levels.
Types
- There are 30 or more known diseases of sunflowers, but only 10 are commonly seen. Of these, only six (downy mildew, rust, Sclerotinia stalk and head rot, Verticillium wilt, Phoma black stem, and Alternaria leaf and stem spot) threatens sunflower yields. Septoria leaf spot, powdery mildew, Rhizopus head rot, and charcoal stem rot are diseases which, although occasionally observed, s…
Prevention
- Fungicidal protection against diseases in sunflowers is not normally economical. Therefore, growing resistant varieties, if available, and using pest management practices affords the best opportunity to minimize losses.
Symptoms
- Plants may be infected from the time of seed germination until flower, however, they are more prone to total (systemic) infection during or immediately following emergence. Typical symptoms include dwarfing and discoloration of the leaves, appearance of white cottony masses on the lower leaf surfaces during periods of high humidity, and little if any seed set in erect platform he…
Prognosis
- Planting mildew-infected seeds seldom results in systemically infected seedlings. However, plants grown from infected seeds often harbor the disease in their tissue. This allows the fungus to become established in the soil. The next time sunflowers are grown on the field, systemically infected plants may occur. The fungus can persist in the soil for 5 to 10 years after introduction. …