For only the second time since 1977, South Dakota has been named the leading sunflower producing state in the nation. National Sunflower Association Executive Director John Sandbakken says that according to USDA statistics, South Dakota produced 997 million pounds, 830 million being oil sunflowers and 176 million pounds non oil varieties.  He says that surpassed former leader North Dakota.

Sandbakken says South Dakota’s total production was close to a record.

Sandbakken says based on 2013 production he expects more sunflowers to be planted this year.

He says South Dakota’s planted sunflower acres in 2013 were up by five percent., harvested acres by four percent and yield per acre increased seven percent.