> Collaborating for Quality “We normally visit sunfl ower contract farms two or three times a year to help produce a better crop,” says Devin Gaugler, agronomy and procurement specialist for CHS Sunfl ower. “We check for quality and yield and provide supplemental advice to local agronomists to help with planting and fertility decisions, as well as timely weed, insect and disease management.” Ness says he appreciates the extra e ort and expertise. “Devin travels throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota checking sunfl ower fi elds. He’s seen what works and what doesn’t work for insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeding rates and everything else.” helps ensure consistent, damage-free seeds and kernels so growers earn a premium price for their specialty crops,” says Gaugler. “As a leading cooperative, we reach out to customers around the world to position our growers and build a loyal market for their high-quality sunfl ower seeds.” More growers are adding sunfl owers into their crop rotation for better soil health, weed management and return on investment, adds Gaugler, including growers in states like Montana, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas who have contracted with CHS, expanding the more traditional sunfl ower growing region of the upper Midwest. CHS also contracts sunfl ower acres in Manitoba, Canada. To pave the way, the CHS Sunfl ower breeding program develops innovative hybrids with seed characteristics buyers want — including shell color and stripe, seed size and hull-to-nut ratio — and the production qualities growers need. “New Royal Hybrid sunfl ower varieties, including shorter maturity varieties with tolerance to Express herbicide, are giving more growers the ability to add sunfl owers to their crop rotation,” says Gaugler. SUNFLOWERS BECOME TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Road-tripping has been a popular COVID-19 pastime, including trips to view sunfl ower superblooms. This summer, Better Homes & Gardens , Country Living and other popular lifestyle magazines featured locations of spectacular sunfl ower fi elds to lift people’s spirits and give them ideas for safe, family-friendly outings and outdoor photo opportunities. With support from the National Sunfl ower Association, the North Dakota Tourism Division updated its online maps of golden blooming fi elds weekly. Participating farms displayed mailboxes fi lled with free sunfl ower seed snack packs and sunfl ower information for visitors. 1.35 MILLION ACRES 2019 U.S. sunflower production 1.30 MILLION ACRES 2018 U.S. sunflower production Source: USDA Estimated annual U.S. sales of wild bird food and feeders in 2021 Source: Packaged Facts $2.2 BILLION Gaugler visits Logan Boeddeker’s farm in Hillsboro, N.D., during the season to check on his crop of extra-long sunfl ower seeds destined for the international in-shell market. “Working closely with growers like Logan and Peter 14 FALL 2020 “As cooperative owners, farmers can earn patronage on the hybrids they purchase from CHS and the sunfl ower seed they sell to us,” he adds. “We’re adding value and building relationships to help farmers succeed.” ■ Peter Ness, right, discusses crop health with Devin Gaugler of CHS. Sunfl owers have extensive root systems to pull water and nutrients from deep in the soil. CHSINC.COM