BALDWIN, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota is the top sunflower-producing state in the nation, but as harvest takes place, farmers grapple with rising concerns about the health of sunflower oil.

Warm, sunny days are the perfect opportunity for Dean Goetz to make progress on his sunflower crop.

“It’s another harvest, the one thing I do like is that it shows that you’re getting to the completion of the season,” said Goetz.

Goetz harvests sunflowers for two main purposes: dehulled sunflowers are sold for use in baking and cookies, mostly for European markets, while oil sunflowers are processed for cooking oils and biofuels. He has already harvested a third of his crop.

“In the fall, they turn into kind of an ugly-looking plant. They’re brown and not the most attractive. Anyway, they’re interesti

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