Sunflower seeds (Iregi)

A little about sunflower seeds for feeding birds. For such purposes, even the smallest caliber when sorting confectionery sunflower is suitable. But the Iregi type of seed is in particular demand – these are small and striped varieties with a very low oil content – a special delicacy for parrots. Such seeds are used as an additive to feed for decorative granivorous birds and rodents, as well as for feeding wild birds in winter.

The seeds contain a large amount of proteins (about 20% of the total mass) and valuable amino acids, which are necessary for the successful development of animals and birds.

Currently, the Ukrainian register of varieties includes: Zaporizhzhya Confectionery, Lakomka, Donskoy Krupnoplodny, Almaz and Ranok. And also the Vranac hybrid (produced in Serbia). Zaporizhzhya Confectionery is one of the old confectionery varieties in Ukraine. Recently, its qualities as a confectionery have been weakening, it should be “improved”, that is, passed through a nursery.

A few years ago, the most common confectionery sunflower in Ukraine was Donskoy krupnoplodny, perhaps due to the large mass of seeds and the thickness of the husk. This variety was in high demand among Romanians, Bulgarians, Poles, etc. But in recent years, the Lakomka variety has become more popular, it is inferior in size to Donskoy krupnoplodny, but surpasses it in taste and is quite common in Georgia, Armenia, the Baltic States and in European countries. In addition, the yield of Lakomka is higher than Donskoy krupnoplodny. Large striped Reina-K is also grown in Ukraine, sometimes it is called Dakota. This variety is produced in the Kherson region and sold to Turkey, using cheaper land and labor resources. In America, there are also many varieties of confectionery sunflower, but the Mexican variety up to 4 cm long stands out, however, the kernel occupies 1/3 of it, the rest is air.

Every year we feel a shortage of this position, demand exceeds supply. In Europe, it is grown in Bulgaria and Hungary.