North Dakota Sunflower Variety Trial Results for 2025 and Selection Guide

In 2025, North Dakota continued to lead the nation in sunflower production, with approximately 538,372 acres planted across the state; a substantial uptick in acreage compared with recent years and among the largest acreage totals in the U.S. sunflower belt. While this expansion reflected strong grower interest and favorable market signals into the season, several key agronomic challenges emerged. A delayed spring and uneven early planting conditions in parts of the Plains, including prevent-plant acreage reported in surrounding states, underscored the continued risk that cool, wet soils pose to sunflower stand establishment and uniform emergence. Additionally, growers have to navigate the lingering impacts of variable weather, including high winds and storm events that can cause lodging or harvest delay, as part of broader climatic volatility that affected many crops in North Dakota during 2025. Finally, although sunflower oil markets remain a driver of acreage, ongoing public discussion around seed-oil health claims adds an unusual layer of market-related agronomic decision pressure for producers as they balance production risk with end-use demand dynamics.

Variety trial data from all North Dakota State University Research Extension Centers for all crops can be found at www.ag.ndsu.edu/varietytrials and the variety selection tool at https://vt.ag.ndsu.edu/.

The agronomic data presented in this publication are from replicated research plots using experimental designs that enable the use of statistical analysis. The least significant difference numbers beneath the columns in tables are derived from the statistical analyses. If the difference between two varieties exceeds the LSD value, it means that with 90% probability (10% level), the higher-yielding variety has a significant yield advantage. If the difference between two varieties is less than the LSD value, then the variety yields are considered similar.

The coefficient of variation (CV) is a measure of variability in the trial and is expressed as a percentage. Large CVs indicate substantial variation that cannot be attributed to differences among varieties. Only compare values within the table and look for trends for the desired trait among different experimental sites and years.

Sunflower harvest yields were adjusted to 10% moisture. Most of the tables have footnotes explaining information in the table under which they appear. Traits to consider when selecting a sunflower hybrid include yield potential in your area, oil content (for the oil types), test weight, reaction to problematic diseases and insects, maturity date, and the weed control system. When selecting a confection sunflower hybrid, the seed size is very important.

Among similar-yielding oilseed hybrids, select the one with the highest oil content. Oil content is intended to differentiate between hybrids at one location. LSD values should be used to determine differences between hybrids. The oilseed crushing market pays a premium for oilseed with more than 40% oil (at 10% moisture) and discounts for oilseed with less than 40% oil. Another factor to consider is the oil type. Hybrids are available with traditional (linoleic), midoleic (NuSun) and high-oleic oil compositions. Markets may pay a premium based on the composition of the oil produced by a particular hybrid.

Maturity is especially important if planting is delayed. Yield and oil content often are reduced when a hybrid is damaged by frost before it is fully mature. Often, with delayed planting, only an early hybrid will mature and exhibit its full yield potential. An early hybrid is likely to be drier at harvest than a later-maturing hybrid, thereby reducing drying costs.

The most economical and effective means of managing sunflower diseases and other pests is to plant resistant or tolerant hybrids and keep a minimum of four years of rotation between successive sunflower crops. Most commercial sunflower hybrids in the U.S. have resistance to downy mildew and rust. Some hybrids also may exhibit tolerance to Phomopsis stem canker or sunflower midge. Clearfield® and ExpressSun™ hybrids are resistant to Beyond Xtra® and Express® herbicides, respectively. Consult the seed company for information on how a particular hybrid reacts to diseases and other pests that may pose risks in your growing area.

When selecting a high-yielding and good-quality hybrid, use data that summarizes several years and locations. Choose the hybrid that, on average, performs the best at multiple locations near you over several years.

Research specialists and technicians contributed to the fieldwork and data compilation. Administrative assistants contributed to entering data into the respective sections of this document. We greatly appreciate the assistance provided by everyone involved.

The presentation of data for the varieties tested does not imply approval or endorsement by the authors or the agencies conducting the tests. NDSU approves the reproduction of any table in this publication only if no portion is deleted, appropriate footnotes are given, the order of the data is not rearranged, and NDSU is credited for the data.