By the first of July when plants are 12”–16” tall, the sunflower beetle visits fields. The beetle and its larvae eat the leaves. If yield reduction is threatened, Mike Clemens, a sunflower farmer for 30 years, treats the crop with a pyrethroid immediately. Throughout the growing season he hires a crop scout to monitor his acres for problems. In the heat of July when temperatures reach the 90s and higher across the prairie, sunflowers have a rapid growth spurt and grow from 12”–16” to 5’–6’. By August 1, the single bud atop each stem follows the sun. In August the ray petals open all at once and flower for two weeks. Clemens remarks that one reason to plant the seed all at the same depth is so they flower at the same time. Beekeepers bring in their bees to produce sunflower honey.

Two insect pests visit the flower head: the head moth and the seed weevil. The head moth comes at the bud stage. The weevil bores into the seed and injects its eggs leaving a bad taste for the consumer. Another application of spray may be made.

Sunflowers finish blossoming by the end of August. Thereafter, 20 days of frost free weather is needed for the seed to mature. The large 9” heads will begin to tip. The grower looks for signs of maturity at the back of the head. When the color turns from green to yellow, the seeds are mature.

According to Clemens “from mid–September to mid–October the toughest part of raising sunflowers occurs. Flying rats overtake fields.” Red–winged blackbirds show up by the thousands. A multitude of deterrents are used: scarecrows, boomers, fireworks, lure plots, avicides, sprays of grapefruit juice, and a cattail management program which removes wetlands attracting the migrants.

The first week in October usually brings the first killing frost in North Dakota. “A killing frost must be 26 degrees for 24 hours to kill all cells in the plant. By evening one can tell; leaves are drooping,” describes the observant Clemens. It takes ten days to three weeks for the heads with seed to dry. When the field is filled with brown sticks with a head by October 15–20, seeds are harvested and run through a grain dryer to 10% moisture. They use propane in the grain dryers. Since the seed is 40-45% oil, the dryer must be monitored because all could ignite. Workers must observe and know the difference between steam and smoke during the drying.

Usually the dry seed is stored depending on who bought it and the contracts for delivery.

Despite the tribulations of a sunflower grower, Clemens maintains faith in his seed. He appreciates the artistic beauty of a field in bloom, the economic importance of the crop, and the health benefits of sunflower products. Clemens adds, “The new sunflower oil is one of the healthiest on the market with no trans fats and having the ability to decrease LDL cholesterol levels. The sunflower also has a high level of Vitamin E.”