Sunflower Day is coming to Carman on Nov. 26.
Join farmers, agronomists, and industry at Carman Community Hall for a day focused on Manitoban sunflower agronomy alongside key industry partners. The day is being organized by Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Crop Alliance and will take place at the Carman Community Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Callum Morrison, Crop Production Extension Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, said Carman is an ideal location for the event because of its central location to many sunflower growers.
“By holding the event here, we aim to make it accessible for both local and regional producers,” said Morrison. “While the precise acreage of sunflowers grown in the Municipalities surrounding Carman may vary from year to year, Manitoba is the largest sunflower producing province in Canada, producing about 90 per cent of all the sunflowers grown in our nation.”
Sunflower Day 2024 will provide an opportunity for industry experts to discuss the latest research, management practices, and challenges in sunflower production with local farmers. It will give attendees the opportunity to network, learn from each other, and gain practical knowledge in the field.
After a welcome and overview, the event will proceed with a presentation from Michael Wunsch, a plant pathologist with North Dakota State University (NDSU), entitled “Sclerotinia Head Rot of Sunflowers: A Challenging Disease to Manage.”
Sclerotinia head rot is a fungal disease that often affects sunflowers in humid and hot weather. The disease causes a white, fluffy mould on the heads, ultimately leading to yield loss.
“The disease can occur when hardened masses of fungal mycelium, known as sclerotia, germinate in the summer,” said Morrison. “These sclerotia produce either mycelia that infect sunflower roots causing wilt, or they can also produce mushroom-like structures that release wind-borne spores that infect sunflower heads causing head rot.”
Head rot occurs when the plant receives lots of rain before flowering. Because the plant needs environmental factors to thrive, the prevalence of sclerotinia head rot varies from year to year, but Morrison said the disease has been a recurring problem in Manitoba’s sunflower-growing regions.
The event will then have a coffee break before a sunflower update from the Manitoba Crop Alliance. This will be followed by a sunflower agronomy panel with Manitoba Agriculture Entomologist John Gavloski, Manitoba Agriculture Weeds Specialist Kim Brown, and Manitoba Agriculture Pulse and Soybean Specialist Dennis Lange. After lunch, there will be a presentation on the blackbird’s impact on sunflowers, followed by a sunflower economics presentation to close it off.
“This event is a must-attend for anyone involved in sunflower production — whether you’re an experienced farmer or considering growing sunflowers for the first time,” said Morrison. “By bringing together a variety of specialists, industry leaders, and farmers, Manitoba’s Sunflower Day ensures that producers have the tools they need to adapt to changing conditions, improve their yields, and stay competitive in the marketplace. It’s a great opportunity to stay ahead of industry trends, gain practical solutions, and foster collaboration within the farming community.”
