The National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) held its Annual General Meeting last week at CropConnect in Winnipeg.

The group notes sunflower planting in Manitoba fell short of expectations due to lower contract pricing and competitive crops. There were about 43,000 acres of sunflowers harvested in Manitoba last year, with 65% of those acres planted to oilseed. Yields in 2018 hit new records for both oilseed and confection sunflowers. 

President Mark McDonald talked about his expectations for the 2019 growing season.

"Everything's ebbs and flows with other commodity prices...I think new contracts are out now so hopefully a pleasant surprise in increased acres next year."

McDonald says the proposed amalgamation will be important if the organization wants to continue to function as it has in the past. NSAC posted a net loss of $82,807 in 2018.