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May 28, 2026

Sunflower Meal Leads Protein Board at 67% of Soybean Meal

Sunflower meal prices at 67% of soybean meal on crude protein this week, leading the USDA feedstuffs board; hominy feed leads energy at 74% of corn; yellow grease is running 50-90% above 5-year medians across California and Midwest markets.

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Sunflower meal is the cheapest protein source on the USDA feedstuffs board this week, at $0.240 per pound of crude protein on a dry-matter basis, 67% of soybean meal's cost per unit. Feather meal prices second at $0.253 per pound CP (70% of soybean meal) and linseed meal third at $0.333 per pound CP (92% of soybean meal). The soybean meal benchmark is about $344 per ton FOB after soybeans eased 1% on the week.

Live data: Sunflower meal price
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  • Energy board: Hominy feed leads at $0.075 per pound of TDN, dry-matter basis (74% of corn), soybean hulls at $0.092 per pound TDN (90% of corn) and wheat middlings at $0.094 per pound TDN (93% of corn). All nutrient coefficients are book values from published feed tables.
  • Corn benchmark, US #2 yellow: Eased to about $4.39 per bushel (~$157/ton as-fed, delivered ethanol plant), down 2% on the week and 3% below the 5-year median per USDA. A softer corn reprices the full energy board.
  • DDGS, ~$179/ton: Scores 93% of soybean meal on crude protein and 112% of corn on TDN, cost per pound of nutrient on a dry-matter basis. It prices below the protein benchmark and above the corn energy benchmark this week.
  • Yellow grease, California (FOB plant and delivered): USDA quotes range from $65/ton FOB to $71/ton delivered, with all regions running 50-90% above 5-year medians. Central Coast FOB at $65/ton is the standout, 90% above median and up 3% on the week. Priced but not scored on the energy leaderboard.
  • Choice white grease: Minnesota FOB at $80/ton (62% above the 5-year median, flat on the week). Chicago, IL delivered at $72/ton (45% above median), per USDA. Week-over-week figure not reported for the Chicago series.
  • Almond hulls, California: Sacramento Valley FOB at $70/ton (51% below the 5-year median) and South California FOB at $95/ton (44% below), per USDA. Both series are flagged stale (not updated in over two weeks); figures may not reflect current market levels.

Data note: 40 USDA AMS series, including almond hulls and alfalfa pellets, have not updated in over two weeks.

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