The 2016 sunflower crop set a yield record. USDA reports that the overall average U.S. yield per acre increased 106 pounds from 2015 to a record high of 1,731 pounds per acre.

The oil-type sunflower average yield increased 152 pounds over 2015 to a record high 1,731 pounds per acre in 2016.

The average yield of confection sunflower decreased by 139 pounds from 2015’s record high to 1,726 pounds per acre. This still represents the second-highest yield on record for non-oil varieties.

The record yield is “great news for sunflower producers,” says John Sandbakken, National Sunflower Association executive director.

“Sunflower has proven to be a profitable crop that works well in crop rotations in many different types of soils and climates,” he says.

North Dakota was the top sunflower-producing state in 2016. Production in North Dakota totaled 1.14 billion pounds, an increase of 7% from 2015. Compared to 2015, planted area in North Dakota decreased 4%, but yield increased 192 pounds to a record high 1,715 pounds per acre.

Production in South Dakota decreased 14%, but the average yield in South Dakota increased 100 pounds from 2015 to a record high 1,958 pounds per acre.

U.S. harvested oil-type acres were down 9%, but total production of oil-type sunflower varieties decreased less than 1% from 2015 due to a record yield. Production of oil-type sunflower is estimated at 2.4 billion pounds.

Production of non-oil sunflower varieties is estimated at 286 million pounds, a decrease of 47% from 2015. Area harvested, at 165,500 acres, was down 43% from 2015. The average yield decreased by 139 pounds from 2015’s record high to 1,726 pounds per acre. This still represents the second highest yield on record for non-oil varieties.

For more on the USDA production numbers for sunflowers, see sunflowernsa.com.

Source: National Sunflower Association