Sunflower
Sunflower meal is the by-product of the oil extraction process. Oil is the majority value
of sunflower seed and meal is considered a by-product. Sunflower meal is an excellent
livestock feed, especially for ruminants. For the last several years, the supply of U.S.
sunflower meal has been somewhat inconsistent. That is changing as the domestic market
for sunflower oil increases.
September the fields and roadsides of the Great Plains erupt in a blaze of yellow as the
sunflowers and goldenrods (also members of the sunflower family) make their presence
known to the local pollinating insects. While many sunflower species may begin
blooming in July, they are not as noticeable then as later on when they have grown up
and over the surrounding vegetation. There are eleven species of sunflower recorded
from Kansas. Most of them are perennials. Only the common sunflower and H.
petiolaris, the Prairie Sunflower, are annuals. Identification of sunflowers can be very
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