Production

The production of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) for cooking oil, confectionary and birdseed has increased throughout the United States. The 2007 sunflower crop totaled 2.89 billion pounds, up 35 percent from 2006, and was valued at $607 million. Yield also increased to 1,468 pounds per acre, up 21 percent from the previous year. Sunflowers are primarily grown in North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota and Colorado.  June 2008 . . . Sunflowers

Marketing

• National Sunflower Association - This nonprofit commodity organization for sunflower growers conducts promotion activities, supports production research and disseminates production and marketing information.
• Oil Crops Situation and Outlook Yearbook, ERS, USDA, 2007 - Examines supply, use, prices and trade for oil crops, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries.
• Sunflower Marketing in the High Plains, Kansas State University Research and Extension, 1997 - This publication addresses basic issues related to sunflower marketing in the High Plains, including Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Information is presented about deliverable sunflower grade and quality specifications and the types of sunflower marketing alternatives available to central Great Plains producers. Sunflower market information sources and the development of sunflower marketing plans are also discussed.
• Sunflowerseed and Products World Supply and Distribution, FAS, USDA, June 2008. 
• Sunflowers: What It Is, How They're Marketed and How They're Used, National Grain and Feed Association.

Processing/Manufacturing

• Drying and Storing Sunflowers, Kansas State University, 1987.
• Sumseeds - This South Dakota-based company is taking seeds grown in North Dakota and Kansas and adding caffeine, taurine, lysine and ginseng to them.

Production

• Confectionary Sunflower Cost-return Budget, Kansas State University Research and Extension, 2007.
• Crop Production: 2007 Summary, NASS, USDA, January 2008.
• Crop Values: 2007 Summary, NASS, USDA, February 2008. 
• High Plains Sunflower Production Handbook, Kansas State University Research and Extension, 1999 - Agronomic practices, disease control and management, pest identification, harvesting and marketing of sunflower crops.
• Oil-type Sunflower Cost-return Budget, Kansas State University Research and Extension, 2007.
• Sunflower, Alberta Agriculture and Food, Canada, 2007.
• Sunflower, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Columbia, Missouri.
• Sunflower, Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications, 2003.
• Sunflower, The National Non-Food Crops Centre, Heslington, York, U.K.
• Sunflower: A Native Oilseed with Growing Markets, Jefferson Institute, revised 2002.
• Sunflower Production, Chapter 10: Alternative Crops, Ohio Agronomy Guide, 14th Edition, Ohio State University Extension, 2005.
• Sunflower Production and Management, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Management.
• The Sunflower Production Guide, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, revised 2006.
• Sunflowers, Floridata, updated 2004.
• Sunflowers--Growing sunshine, Colorado State University Extension, updated 2007.

Links checked January 2008.