Sunflower
Crops
During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.
Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Management Webinar
SDSU Extension will host an informational sunflower webinar focusing on red sunflower seed weevil management on August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Start Scouting Your Sunflower Fields for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Presence
Red sunflower seed weevil adults have been detected in South Dakota. Current recommendations for management in both confection and oilseed sunflower is to begin treatment when the majority of the field has reached the R5.4 growth stage, but applications done between R5.1 and R5.4 can still provide yield protection.
To Avoid Loss of Viable Seeds This Year, Keep an Eye Out for Banded Sunflower Moths in Sunflower
Banded sunflower moths are active in South Dakota, which means it is time to start scouting sunflowers for their eggs. The caterpillars of banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields and oil content by feeding on the developing florets and tunneling into developing seeds.
Sunflower Pest Recap
During 2026, we will be producing a new weekly update on sunflower insect pest activity. This information will be attained via a sampling network of eight locations that are in central South Dakota.
Sunflower & Oilseeds
There are times when sunflower producers need unbiased answers. That’s what we are here for.
Banded Sunflower Moth
Factsheet on the identification, lifecycle, scouting and economic impact of the Banded Sunflower Moth.
Sunflower Production: Late-Season Weed Escapes Should Guide Future Weed Management Plans
Many sunflower fields across the state are far enough along in their development that the window for preventing weeds with residual herbicides has passed. Weed escapes that remain in the field through the remainder of the growing season can contribute seed back to the soil seedbank.
Vertento® Insecticide Approved for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Management
Recently the Environmental Protection Agency approved a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label for Vertento® Insecticide for use on sunflowers for red sunflower seed weevil management in South Dakota. This exemption is effective from July 15 to August 31, 2026.
Large Grasshopper Nymph Populations Detected in Southeast South Dakota
This week we received several reports of large grasshopper populations originating from southeast South Dakota. The populations were well above threshold and actively defoliating crops.