H.A. Lamey, M.P. McMullen, P.A. Glogoza, R.K. Zollinger, J.L. Luecke, and D.R. Berglund

Sunflower growers in Kansas (KS), Minnesota (MN), North Dakota (ND) and South Dakota (SD) were surveyed by mail about pest problems and pesticide use in 1997. The survey was similar to those of previous surveys (1, 2, 3, 4).

A four page survey form (Figure 1) was mailed on November 15, 1997 to 8,114 selected growers on the mailing list of the National Sunflower Association's magazine The Sunflower. The survey form was mailed to all 2,400 KS growers, all 1,400 MN growers, 25% of the 9,459 ND growers (2,364 contacted), and 75% of the 2,600 SD growers (1,950 contacted). Responses to the survey were confidential and a self-addressed stamped envelope was enclosed for returning the completed survey form.

Survey respondents identified the county and state where they grew sunflower; acres planted to oilseed and confection sunflower, irrigated and non-irrigated acres; planting dates; major production problems encountered; major insect, disease and weed problems encountered; percent bird damage, bird species causing damage, amount of money and time spent on attempts to control bird depredation; pesticides used, rates of pesticide used, degree of control experienced with each pesticide and targeted pests for each pesticide; weed control from herbicide use and other weed control practices; use of Folicur fungicide in KS and ND; and non-chemical disease management.

A major objective of the survey was to provide data on pesticide use, use rates and targeted pests for pesticides to be regulated or reregistered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This included the insecticides Furadan (carbofuran), Lorsban (chloropyrifos), and the parathions (ethyl, methyl and 6-3 ethyl methyl) and the herbicides Eptam (EPTC) and Poast (sethoxydim). Respondents were asked the targeted pests for various pesticides used, the rates used and their efficacy.

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Last Updated 11/15/02