Sunflowers in Manitoba are getting closer to maturity.

Daryl Rex, agronomist with the National Sunflower Association of Canada, says the crop is now approaching the R7 stage, adding harvest could start by the end of September.

He noted that sclerotinia was a problem this year in some fields.

There are a few other concerns as well.

"Just some lingering issues now with aphids, there was quite a few aphids before and a little bit with grasshoppers," commented Rex. "The main thing probably in the southwest right now is just blackbirds coming in and feasting on the crops."

He adds most of the sunflowers are looking good, although the lack of moisture is causing a bit of wilting in some fields.

Growers are advised to wait until the R9 stage before desiccating. At this stage, the seeds have reached maximum size and bushel weight.