WIS453    SUNFLOWERS
          02/26/1990  09:17 AM  D1  172 Lines


Agriculture Science/Production Management

Sunflowers (7-13 days)

This unit deals with sunflower production in Wisconsin.  Topics include career
opportunities, important growing areas, production costs and returns, cultural
practices, sunflower types and varieties, disease control, sunflower uses,
harvesting methods, storage, and marketing.


Objectives

To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in
the sunflower industry

To develop an understanding of the history and current status of sunflower
production in the state and nation

To provide information on how to assess the feasibility of producing sunflowers

To enhance awareness of the common types of sunflowers and their uses

To develop an understanding of approved practices used in sunflower culture

To increase awareness of the marketing procedures for sunflowers


Competencies

At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to

explain current employment information such as job descriptions,
job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions,
opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment
in the sunflower industry and relate it to their personal needs and
aspirations;

identify the important and ideal growing areas for sunflowers, in both the
United States and Wisconsin;

calculate production costs and returns per acre for raising sunflowers;

identify the types and varieties of sunflowers that are practical for growing
in Wisconsin;

develop a plan for planting, fertilizing, and irrigating sunflowers;

develop a plan for pest control including diseases, insects, weeds, and birds;

discuss the different uses, methods of harvesting, and storage of sunflowers;

and explain market locations, market demands for the area, and the complete
marketing process for sunflowers.


Subject Matter  (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets

following title.)


Careers
    - Current and future employment needs
    - Job descriptions
    - Training requirements
    - Working conditions
    - Opportunities for advancement
    - Other factors

Sunflower production history and growing regions

Sunflower production factors in Wisconsin

Sunflower types and varieties
    - Oilseed
    - Birdfeed
    - Human consumption

Sunflower culture   [Mathematics, Science]
    - Climate and soil requirements
    - Seedbed preparation
    - Planting
         Date
         Depth
         Row width and plant population
    - Fertilization
    - Irrigation
    - Weed control
    - Insect control
    - Disease control
    - Bird control
    - Harvesting and storage
         Grain
             1.desiccation
             2.harvesting
             3.drying
             4.storage
             5.seed grain standards
         Silage
             1.corn feed value comparison
             2.alfalfa/haylage feed value comparison

Marketing   [Social Studies]
    - Sunflower demand
    - Relationship to production area
    - Futures market versus cash market


Motivational Activities

Take a field trip to a local sunflower grower, sunflower processor,
or an experimental farm.

Arrange for the class to attend Farm Progress Days.


Plan sunflower test plots and nutritive value tests.

Post bulletin board displays featuring topics related to this unit.

View films, videotapes, and slides on sunflowers.


Learning Activities

Participate in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program.


Instructional Materials

Textbooks and References

Sunflower Science and Technology by Jack Carter.  Madison, WI:
  American Society of Agronomy, 1978.


Bulletins and Pamphlets

The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service.

Crop Record Book.  A2294.
Field Development of the Sunflower.  NCR161.
Pest Control in Sunflower.  A3075.
Sunflower Production in Wisconsin.  A3005.


Periodicals

Crops and Soils
Sunflower


Computer Software

The following are available from Hobar Publications.

Field Inventory.  Apple, IBM, TRS.
Crop Decision Aids.  Apple, IBM.


On-line Computer Networks

The following are available from Ag Ed Network, AgriData Resources, Inc.

Crop Enterprise Selection.  HS132.
Crop Production.  ADN57.
Plant Science.  CLF300.


Films, Videotapes, and Slides

The following is available from Hobar Publications.


Field Crops.  D27 (87 slides with cassette).