Sunflower Variety Trial

Although sunflowers are a relatively new crop in the Northeast they have potential to add value to diversified operations providing fuel, feed, fertilizer, and an important rotational crop. Some sunflower varieties have also been gaining popularity for their potential to produce high quality edible oil. The major sunflower production region of the U.S. is the northern Great Plains, so most of the available production and agronomic management guidelines are from this region. Identifying varieties and management practices of sunflower that are suited to the local climate is essential to viable crop production and expansion of the sunflower acreage in the Northeast. With this in mind, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soil Program has been evaluating performance of sunflower varieties in our microclimate