Sunflowers, normally a good drought crop in the Northern Plains are starting to feel the stress of this year’s extreme dry conditions. NationaL Sunflower Association Executive Director John Sandbakken says lack of rain has caused wilting in the sunflowers.

He says sunflower yields won’t even come close to last year’s record performance.

Sandbakken says the only silver cloud to the current dry lining is that sunflower prices are very good right now.

Sandbakken says most of the Northern Plains sunflowers are now in the early to late bloom stage and need more moisture in order to produce a fairly good crop.