Australian Sunflower Industry Strategic Plan 2013 - … sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 1.4 executive Summary Sunflower is a profitable crop and has significant agronomic

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 �

Australian Sunflower Industry Strategic Plan 2013 - 2018

Australian Oilseeds Federation

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 20182

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSASA Committee and Workshop Participants 27 March 2013

Kevin charlesworth chair Australian sunflower Association, grower, clifton nick goddard executive director, Australian oilseeds federation, sydney sue thompson sunflower Pathology researcher, dAff Qld, toowoomba Maree crawford Business Manager – sorghum, Pacific seeds, toowoomba lucky interissi technical services Manager, cargill, Melbournerichard daniel ceo, northern grower Alliance, toowoomba Belinda chase Agronomist, dalby rural supplies, dalbygraeme tooth central region sales Manager, Hsr seeds, Quirindi Arthur salisbury central region sales Manager, Hsr seeds, toowoomba errol corsan global Breeding leader, nuseed, Brisbane Alan scott Plant Breeder, Avosun, toowoombaliz Alexander coordinator Better sunflowers, emeraldJan Paul van Moort facilitator, Acil Allen consulting tony lockrey consultant, Buy smart Ag consulting, Moreechris Haire seed Breeder, nuseed, toowoomba Paul Mcintosh Agronomist, landmark, toowoomba chris Bazley executive officer, Qld Agricultural Merchants, grower, nobbyKate charleston development extension officer, entomology, dAff Qld, toowoombaMurray sharman Plant Pathologist (Virology), dAff Qld, BrisbanePhilip Burrill senior development Agronomist (Postharvest grain Protection) dAff Qld, warwickJames urquhart Australian specialty Business Manager, AwB, MelbourneAlexander Byrne Junior Merchant – oilseeds, cargill, MelbourneHugh Brier senior entomologist (pulse specialist), dAff Qld, toowoombasarah cox Jeffrey rural communications, crackow

Grower & Consultantsneil weier, nuseed

Southern NSWAndrew cochrane, griffithdave cattanach, darlington Point

Northern NSWgeoff Barwick, willow tree Mick Bradfield, liverpool Plainsgordon Brownhill, spring ridgerory cadell, tambar springs Hedley eulenstein, BellataKeith Harris, liverpool Plains Jim russell, liverpool Plains ed simson, Premer simon thompson, Quirindi Phil willock, Bundella Peter winton, liverpool Plains chris wirth, Quirindi Parraweena, liverpool Plains lionel Anderson, croppa creek Anonymous, Quirindi Michael ledingham, Biniguy gavin Mcdouall, Moree Michael woods, garah

Southern QueenslandJustin commens, nandi dennis commens, nandi Kerry cranitch, clifton rob imhoff, clifton glenn Kratzmann, clifton Bruce Mauch, warwick wayne Mead, Bowenville John Piper, felton lyster rickert, nobby Kent skene, Brookstead Bob free, nobby Pat west, cecil Plains garry ruhle, Pittsworth Phil egan, Moonie Brian gibson, dulacca nitschke farming, Meandarra shaun nolan, roma

Central Queenslandgary gersbach, capella Peter Mifsud, clermont sam Bradford, orion roland Hornick, orion Ben Marshall, springsure graham spackman, emerald david Brown, capella Hedley watt, emerald Jason coleman, clermont Justin cameron, orion Mike wagner, orion geoff Hurrey, clermont Alicia dunbar, emerald carl wagner, orioncraig wade, emerald

The ASA thanks Neil Weier, Sue Thompson and Kevin Charlesworth for images reproduced in the Plan.

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 3

CONTENTS

1. Overview 5 1.1 About the Australian sunflower Association 5 1.2 Purpose of the strategic Plan 5 1.3 How was the Plan developed? 5 1.4 executive summary 6 1.1 the Australian sunflower industry’s strategic Plan 2013 – 2018 7

2. Challenges and Opportunities 8 2.1 overview of Australian And global sunflower industry today and its future Potential 8 2.2 industry goals 11 2.3 Key challenges and opportunities and implications for Australian sunflower industry 12

3. Industry Priorities 14

4. Implementation 15 4.1 industry Value chain and Partners 15 4.2 who needs to be involved? 16

5. Actions to Address Priorities 17 5.1 strong Partnerships 17 5.2 new Varieties Accessing international germplasm 18 5.3 removal of domestic Market Barriers 19 5.4 investment in research development and extension 20 5.5 Manage and reduce disease risks 21 5.6 AsA is a Healthy organisation 22

Appendix 1: Full Descriptions of Priorities 23

november 2013This document has been prepared in good faith on the basis of information available at the date of publication without independent verification. Neither the Australian Sunflower Association (ASA) or the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) guarantees or warrants the accuracy, reliability, completeness or currency of the information in this publication, nor its usefulness in achieving any purpose. Readers are responsible for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content of this publication. ASA/AOF will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on information in this publication. This work is copyright.

Blue Dog Agribusinessliz Alexander coordinator Better sunflowers(jointly funded by the Australian Sunflower Association, Australian Oilseeds Federation & Grains Research and Development Corporation)Po Box 2240emerald Qld 4720Mob: 0429 471 511fax: 07 4982 1130

Australian Sunflower AssociationKevinCharlesworthChairwww.bettersunflowers.com.au

Australian Oilseeds Federation Inc.nick goddardexecutive directorPo Box H236Australia square nsw 1215tel: 02 8007 7553fax: 02 8007 7549



1. OvervIeW

1.1 About the Australian Sunflower Association

formed in 1976, the objectives of the Australian sunflower Association are: • Promotion of the Australian sunflower industry • Assist in organising seminars and workshops • foster sunflower research and extension • to coordinate and work with other similar industry associations, both domestically and

internationally.

Membership of the AsA consists of growers, researchers and personnel from all facets of the industry. these include the seed industry, crushing, refining, manufacturing, merchandising organisations and private agronomic advisers.

the Australian sunflower Association acts as a voice for all sectors of the industry and assists growers to capitalise on new developments and opportunities. the AsA aims to develop grower confidence in all sunflower types through high yields and sunflowers’ contribution to more profitable farming systems.

1.2 Purpose of the Strategic Plan

the Australian sunflower Association (AsA) and Australian oilseeds federation (Aof) have developed the industry’s first strategic Plan commencing from 1 July 2013 and covering the five year period to 2018. it has three clear aims, being to: • document the 5-year strategic priorities and key actions for the Australian sunflower Association

and the Australian oilseeds federation • communicate a common understanding of the sunflower industry’s potential • Provide a mechanism to strengthen relationships between key organisations and people in the

Australian sunflower industry

the strategic Plan will support the AsA and Aof to assist and represent the interests of the Australian sunflower industry.

1.3 How was the Plan developed?

the strategic Plan was developed with the input from all sectors of the Australian sunflower value chain, and from all regions producing sunflower in Australia. four key activities were undertaken as part of the process: • the Australian sunflower Association and the Australian oilseeds federation held a strategic

Planning workshop for the sunflower industry in toowoomba on wednesday 27 March which aimed to identify and prioritise projects and actions for the organization over the next 5 years. 25 industry members attended from all growing regions and sectors.

• A one page survey was distributed to growers throughout the northern nsw, southern Queensland and central Queensland regions asking them to prioritise actions identified from the workshop, plus to identify those activities which would raise their profitability on-farm. 50 growers responded.

• More than 120 growers and advisers in southern nsw were consulted during the Better sunflower workshops in July, August 2012. their specific requirements were documented and included in the strategic Plan.

this information was discussed and further analysed by the sixteen members of the Australian sunflower Association and additional, invited growers from all regions, at their general meeting of 17 June 2013.

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018�

1.4 executive Summary

Sunflower is a profitable crop and has significant agronomic benefits when part of crop sequencing. Domestic demand for mono-unsaturated sunflower oil is rising annually and Australian production only fills approximately half of this market.

to realise this market potential, the industry has identified four key areas as being of highest priority which it seeks to address in the next five years:

• leverage breeding work being done overseas on new traits and disease resistant lines, specifically to support the commercialisation of imidazolinone (spinnaker) tolerant hybrids

• remove market and related infrastructure barriers which discourage production in Australia • increase areas planted and yield of sunflower by providing growers and advisers access to

increased knowledge and skills to manage sunflower production and practices • remove negative disease perceptions of sunflower by reducing and managing risks and

promoting its break crop advantages

the Australian sunflower industry has identified the introduction of imi-tolerant sunflower within the next five years as the most important strategic opportunity for the whole value chain. it offers a new and valuable product but also provides the occasion to relaunch and rebrand sunflower to the grains industry.

supporting these four key areas, the industry will also focus on: • strengthening partnerships across the value chain to ensure a targeted and coordinated

campaign by all industry supporters • ensuring the AsA is an efficient and effective organisaton

the service industry and capacity currently supporting Australian sunflower production and processing is small but it is also flexible, innovative and responsive. with investment, the industry will prosper.

the 2013-18 sunflower industry strategic Plan demonstrates that all partners in the value chain are committed to working cooperatively to address current industry barriers and challenges, and to build the capacity required to support increased production.


1.5 The Australian Sunflower Industry’s Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018

The Australian Sunflower Association (ASA) aim

s to develop grower confidence in all sunflow

er typesthrough high yields and sunflow

ers’ contribution to more profitable farm

ing systems.

vISION

: By 2018, between 100,000 – 120,000 ha of sunflow

er will be planted annually w

ith a total national yield of 2 t/haguaranteeing supply to fill the dom

estic oil market.

Key result Priority Outcom

es:

Strong PartnershipsN

ew varieties accessing

international germplasm

removal of dom

estic m

arket barriersInvestm

ent in rD&e

Manage and reduce

disease and pest risksASA is a healthy

organisationStrategies &

Key Performance Indicators:

Strengthen Partnerships

Bring Imidazolinone

(spinnaker) tolerant hybrids to com

mercialisation

remove dom

estic market

barriers

expand Australia’s sunflow

er capacity and capability

Increase grower capacity

to manage and reduce

disease and pest risksrun ASA effectively

• strong working

relationship with

mem

bers• engagem

ent broadened along the value chain

• improved linkages w

ith potential investm

ent partners

• targeted & coordinated

campaign by all industry

supporters

• unnecessary barriers

and costs to importing

lines removed

• seed companies have

cost-effective and timely

access to required germ

plasm• Access to chem

ical m

aintained & secured

• Australian managem

ent &

stewardship

conditions established• industry aw

are and adopting technology

• regional grain testing capabilities available to grow

ers• grow

ers can access to bulk storage

• improved aw

areness of and access to m

arket and pricing inform

ation for grow

ers and advisers• Q

uality results com

municated to all

industry sectors

• regionally-based sunflow

er capacity established to deliver required r,d &

e• n

utrition managem

ent guidelines established for n

, K ,P & s

• irrigation managem

ent practices established

• information available

on economically &

sustainably viable rotations

• industry aware and

adopting managem

ent practices

• improved ability for

growers and advisors to

identify new and current

pathogens• M

anagement practices

to avoid pathogens strengthened

• improved ability for

growers, advisors

& seed com

panies to m

anage existing pathogens

• increased adoption and aw

areness throughout industry

• Attract and retain

comm

ittee mem

bers• AsA is in a sound

financial position• im

proved ability to fund sunflow

er activities

Operational Activities: G

uide ASA to achieve strategic direction


2. CHAlleNGeS AND OPPOrTuNITIeS

2.1 Overview of Australian and global sunflower industry today and its future potential

the Australian sunflower industry is positioned to benefit from growth in the domestic and international oilseed markets. globally, Australia is well located to access increasing market demands from growth in both the domestic and Asian niche markets for birdseed, confectionery and horse feed. the key challenge for all sectors of the value chain remains the ability of processors and manufacturers to guarantee continuous supply for domestic consumers of sunflower products.

Australian Sunflower Area and Production by variety, Area and PlantHistorically, a large percentage of the Australian crop was comprised of polyunsaturated varieties, commencing with the 1974 release of Pacific seeds first Australian hybrid for the bottled oil and margarine markets. Meeting the demands of health-conscious consumers, the majority of the domestic production is now dedicated to monounsaturated varieties. since the introduction of monounsaturated varieties in the 1980s, a smaller percentage of polyunsaturated and confectionery varieties have been grown to supply niche markets for edible oils and spreads, bird seed, horse feed and other animal feed markets in Australia and exported throughout Asia.

Figure 1: Australian Sunflower Production by Seed Type

northern new south wales, southern Queensland and central Queensland are the key locations for sunflower production in Australia. strong interest from growers in the southern nsw and Victorian irrigation areas has seen an increase in hectares planted in southern regions over the last two years.

Table 1: Australian Sunflower Production by State 2008/09 – 2010/11

NSW Queensland TOTALArea (Ha) Yield

(tonnes)Area (Ha) Yield

(tonnes)Area (Ha) Yield

(tonnes)2008/09 28,400 48,600 26,300 31,700 54,700 80,3002009/10 18,900 30,800 7,700 9600 26,600 40,4002010/11 18,000 31,000 11,000 13,000 29,000 44,000

(Source AOF 2011)


Table 2: Australian Sunflower Production by Region 2011/12 – 2012/13

victoria NSW Southern QlD Central Qld TOTALArea (Ha)

Yield (tonnes)

Area (Ha)

Yield (tonnes)

Area (Ha)

Yield (tonnes)

Area (Ha)

Yield (tonnes)

Area (Ha)

Yield (tonnes)

2011/12 4680 5620 30,680 50,330 10,540 12,750 17,230 12,110 63,130 80,7002012/13 1125 1770 19,560 33,613 4170 5000 7880 9460 39,145 49,840

(Source ASA 2013)

reflecting the highly variable nature of production in Australia, many Australian manufacturers of the oils and spreads ensure continuity of supply by importing oil as insurance against production failure in Australia. the imported oils then act as a benchmark for the domestic price. sunflower is primarily a summer crop and competes with other summer cropping options such as cotton, sorghum, maize, pulses and soybeans.

Domestic Supply and Demandcurrently, up to 50% of the domestic sunflower oil market has been supplied by international competitors. for more than a decade, consumer demand for polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oil products has grown consistently (table 3). this is due primarily to the demand for sustainably-produced, healthier and longer life oils from the food service and food manufacturing sectors.

Table 3: Domestic Sunflower Oil Demand 1998/99 – 2011/12

(Source AOF 2013)

High oleic canola has the potential to capture a growing share of the domestic monounsaturated market, driven by that industry’s ability to provide a consistent supply of oilseed. (canola production totalled 4.2 million tonnes in 2012/13, reverting towards a 2.5 - 3 million tonne average, with an exportable surplus of 1.5-2.0 million tonnes.)

end user demand for polyunsaturated sunflower oil could drive growth in this sector, although the price to growers will be set by import parity. the percentage of sunflower seed consumed by animal feed markets is difficult to assess. it has been estimated that the industry has the potential to consume up to 15,000mt of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated sunflowers.


Global Sunflower and Oilseed OverviewAustralian oilseed pricing is set at export parity; international oilseed pricing dynamics will continue to be a key driver of area planted from year to year.

globally, both oilseed and grain production are expected to increase over the next 5 to 10 years with expectations of demand exceeding supply, with a stated 5.1% increase in 2013/14 and a sustained 2.1% increase per annum after (international grains council: five-year global supply and demand projections to 2017/18).

the medium to long term (5 to 15 years) outlook for oilseeds remains positive, with the demand for protein meals in Asia driving production. the growing demand for vegetable oil and protein in Asia is expected to provide a solid basis to the market, however the dominance and ready availability of palm oil is expected to continue to limit price premiums. the demand for vegetable oil as a feedstock for bioenergy is unlikely to drive demand as has for the last for the past few years. international government policies have been revised to reflect growing concerns over indirect land use change and food security. (pers comm. nick goddard Aof, 13 June 2013)

Table 4: International Share of Oil, Meal and Seed by Commodity 2013

Source: Oil World 2013

the supply side of the oilseed complex is also positive, with improving yields and overall productivity combined with logistical efficiencies. this is particularly the case in south America (soy), the ukraine (rape & sun) and s.e. Asia (palm). crop competition in the us will continue to provide a ‘swing factor’ for oilseed demand, with the demand for corn acres in the summer us cropping cycle competing with demand for soybean acres. the ethanol mandates and general mineral oil pricing dynamics will be the key influencer on corn area in the us. the mineral oil deflationary effects of growing shale gas supplies in the us may also see a fundamental change in the vegetable oil/mineral oil relationship. (pers comm. nick goddard Aof, 13 June 2013)

Product mix will see change in the medium to long term, with high oleic soy and rape beginning to capture a growing share of the international market, reflecting the Australian environment. the growth in high oleic, generally at the expense of linoleic oilseeds such as sunflower, could lead to a deficiency in world supply of linoleic acid oilseeds, and create a premium for polyunsaturated sunflowers. (pers comm. nick goddard Aof, 13 June 2013)

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 ��

2.2 Industry Goals

The Australian Sunflower Association seeks to grow the industry from its current area of production and yield to 100,000 – 120,000 ha planted annually with a total national yield of 2 t/ha, guaranteeing 230,000 tonne of seed each year. regionally, this will be comprised as follows: • central Queensland: Planted area of 40,000ha @ 1.5 t/ha (dryland production) growth strategy

which seeks to return sunflower from opportunity crop back to pillar crop; increased yields achieved through better nutrient management.

• southern Queensland: Planted area at 10 – 15,000ha @ 1.5 t/ha. Highly variable region. • northern nsw: 40,000ha planted area yielding 1.8 t/ha (dryland production). AsA seeks to

maintain and support this area as it currently provides the bulk of consistent, annual production. this area includes the north-west, central-west and liverpool Plains regions.

• southern nsw & Victoria: grow the crop to 20,000ha @ 2.5t/ha irrigated production provides the industry with the opportunity to increase production and ensure a reliable supply in drought years. Additional seasonal opportunities will be available in the wilcannia floodplain areas.


2.3 Key challenges and opportunities and implications for Australian sunflower industrythe sunflower industry analyzed the opportunities and challenges for growing sunflower production by grouping activities within the value chain into the following categories: • grow – including on-farm agronomic activities, and seed breeding and production • fit – how sunflower sequences with other crops within the farm • sell – describing issues around quality, marketing and accumulation, and end-users

Opportunities & Drivers Challenges & BarriersGrow • sunflowers provide a profitable crop for

growers.• Available varieties are producing

consistent quality seed and oil at harvest• flexible crop planting options; late and

early planting windows provide options to maximize soil moisture, irrigation allocation and the opportunity to double crop.

• relative short growing window; sunflower growing period 130 days with early plant allowing growers to potentially plant back into winter crops

• low input crop compared to compared to nutrient removal rates of corn, sorghum, wheat particularly n & K

• Allow control of grass weeds with group A herbicides (eg Verdict);

• compared to other crops, the required chemical inputs are relatively low

• sunflower can germinate at temperatures of 6c. can be planted earlier than corn and two or three weeks earlier than sorghum and mungbeans to avoid the worst of the heat which can reduce yield.

• sunflower seedlings tolerate frost up to 6-8 leaf stage (sorghum & corn have poor tolerance to frost at early growth stage)

• sunflower has very good irrigated crop water use efficiency compared to other crops (6Ml/ha)

• sunflower is a robust crop – in-crop rain is not required for secondary root development (higher risk of crop failure for corn/sorghum if no follow up rain is received)

• deep rooting crop can improve soil structure, aeration, water-holding capacity, and drainage

• the industry suffers from restricted access to germplasm from overseas due to a lack of access to quarantine glasshouse facilities. the Qld government recently closed the eagle farm facility and no replacement has been approved.

• High cost of molecular breeding for a small market in Aus. need to be able to make use of facilities overseas for this – requires ability to import new lines with particular traits.

• industry screening of new varieties with new traits to develop farmer awareness and confidence.

• the industry suffers from limited and fragmented promotion of the crop and product to growers, advisers and other industry members.

• A variable crop size limits investment in areas such as research, seed breeding activities, and availability of registered chemical controls.

• Price most commonly listed as the factor which cause growers to plant fewer sunflowers than they might like to (56.6% mentioning it and 22.6% ranking it first) (insightrix research Pty ltd 2007).

• extension support is severely limited in capacity and resources.

• despite being a minor crop, grower expectations from agronomic and extension support are the same as large, well-funded crops.

• negative and incorrect perception held by many growers and advisers that sunflowers are disease prone and/or not a profitable crop

• Agronomic issues considered challenging for control and/or understanding thresholds in sunflower include broadleaf weeds, bird damage and rutherglen bug infestation.

• southern nsw but also other regions suffer from lack of experience in advisers. younger agronomists may experience or learn about sunflowers but then may not use these skills regularly if the crop is grown intermittently as an opportunity crop.

• there is little nutrition and irrigation information available, with the industry relying on 40 year+ old research or overseas trial work.


Opportunities & Drivers Challenges & BarriersFit • Broad leaf break crop; sunflower is

resistant to the following so provides a good rotational option:

• nematode Pratylenchus thorneii. Both chickpea and wheat are hosts of P thorneii;

• crown rot (fusarium sp, wheat);• fusarium species which causes lodging in

sorghum• flexible crop planting options• opportunity to maximize the impact of

field days with marketing and agronomic information?

• rotational fit to practice herbicide resistance avoidance; group A herbicides are alternate to groups M & c

• the industry is comprised from long-term growers who consider sunflower a pillar crop and opportunity growers; industry not able to accurately identify the two groups

• Perceptions of difficulty fitting within zero-till system due to issues regarding stubble management and ground cover, and depleted moisture profile for crops following sunflower.

• yield ceiling: when compared to other summer crops over the last ten years, sunflower has not delivered the same overall increases in yield

• growers using ‘rule of thumb’ calculations rather than gross margins when evaluating sunflower and other crops as a planting option.

Sell • significant opportunity for import replacement: up to 50% of domestic sunflower oil consumption is from imported sunflower oils.

• Health benefits: mono-unsaturated oils are regarded as health neutral as they do not increase blood cholesterol; poly-unsaturated oils are health positive causing a reduction in cholesterol. sunflower has the highest % composition of both monounsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acid profiles of cooking oils.

• High oleic sunflower demand for food sector: oil is very stable at high temperatures compared with other oils and well suited to deep frying.

• Australian truth in labeling legislation and replacement of saturated fats in processed and/or takeaway foods demonstrates a

• significant competitors in the domestic oil market include high oleic canola and imported sunflower oil. large local production of canola and imported product provide guarantee of minimum oleic supply whereas sunflower production has varied in the last ten years.

• Poly-unsaturated sunflower production is highly variable which is limited the growth of this market with end-users.

• Perception that local market is dominated by a single buyer AwB/cargill, however roBe and cootamundra also now processing oil.

• All oil processing capacity is centred in southern nsw and Victoria providing Queensland growers with significant freight penalties, coupled with limited or no local delivery points and/or grain testing facilities.

• sunflower most commonly blended as an edible vegetable oil, losing ability to brand

Sell trend towards health options by consumers.

• consistent quality: Processors and end-users report that the quality of sunflower (oleic acid, oil content, admixture levels) is consistent and high.

• Australian sunflower Marketing guide for growers (updated annually from 2013) provides a transparent list of buyers for growers.

• no risk of gM contamination: products such as baby formula have zero tolerance for gM derived products ensuring this market cannot be substituted with other oil products.

and for consumers to identify and actively select the product.

• Processors and end-users report that the protein levels in high oleic sunflower are lower than ideal.

• Market information: the flow of information from end-users to growers regarding what products and characteristics are desirable, is poor or non-existent.


3. INDuSTrY PrIOrITIeSfrom the workshops, planning session and survey, the following clear strategic objectives were established. • increase on-farm productivity through the introduction of new varieties • remove logistic and infrastructure constraints which discourage production in southern and

central Queensland • increase confidence to grow sunflower by providing knowledge and advice on production and

practices • increase on-farm productivity and remove negative perceptions of sunflower by reducing and

managing disease risks

research Development extension Advocacy

Grow the crop Bring new varieties, particularly the imi/spinnaker-

tolerant hybrids to commercialisation inAustralia

Maintaining & improvement of capacity for trials, research & extension

nutrition trial work on nKPs

irrigation Requirements

Phomopsis Management strategies (resistance screening, yield loss, seed infection, survival on stubble)

tsV screening and rankings for all new hybrids

Powdery mildew especially work securing tilt™ permit

sclerotinia varietal screening

Fit the crop top 5 rotations compiled for each region with gross margins over 3 - 5 years

Sell the crop Market intelligence (i.e. make up of …

imported oil annually for domestic use)

increasing or establishing bulk storage capacity in central and southern Qld

expanding grain testing facilities to avoid penalties after freight

A full description of all priorities listed is contained in Appendix 1.

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 �5

4. IMPleMeNTATION

4.1 Industry value Chain & Partners

PrivateAgronomists

commercial & govt RDE

GrowersResellersRetailers

seed Breeders

VicSNSWNNSWsQldcQld

Pacific seedsnuseed

independentBreeders

Accumulators

AwB

Agents

Processors

food Manufacturing

Wholesaledistribution

Oil

Oil

Agents

stock feed Manufacturers

domestic Retail

export

stock consumption

feedlotsdairy

HorsestudsFarms

ProteinMeal

domestic retail/food

services

Human consumption

OilBidvest

Pdf foodsJB distributorsMevels foods

cargill, newcastle, nswcootamundra oilseeds, cootamundra, nswroBe, wagga wagga, nsw

Sunflower Oilseed Value Chain

Sunflower Animal Feed / Confectionery Value Chain

PrivateAgronomists

commercial & govt RDE

GrowersResellersRetailers

seed Breeders

VicSNSWNNSWsQldcQld

Pacific seedsnuseed

independentBreeders

compound feed

Manufacturers / Packaging

Agents/Buyers

feedlotsdairyHorsestudsFarms

Wholesaledistribution

domestic Retail

export Animal consumption

Birdseed & Petfood

commercial Animal

consumption

Humanconsumption

AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018��

4.2 Who Needs to be Involved?

each priority cannot be achieved in isolation by any member of sector of the sunflower value chain. given the limited resources available at present, the industry must support and build partnerships, and coordinate resources to achieve significant results. the following table summarises who needs to be involved and how well priorities align with their own, as well as the effort and financial investment required.

Actions lead Partners resources required ($/hrs)

develop new varieties suited to Australia accessing international germplasm

nuseedNuFarmASA

seed companies High/High

increasing or establishing bulk storage capacity in central and southern Qld

AwB ASA Med/low

expanding regional grain testing facilities to avoid penalties

AwB ASA low/low

Market intelligence ASA AwB & QAMMedia

low/Med

Maintaining & improvement of capacity for trials, research & extension

ASA seed companiesGrowerGroupsgov’t Agencies

Med/High

southern irrigation requirements ASA NSWDPIrice & cotton grower AssociationsPrivate trial co-operatorCropConsultants

Med/High

nutrition trial work on nKPs NSWDPI ASAGrowerGroupsCropConsultants

Med/High

Phomopsis Management strategies

dAff Qld seed companiesGrowerGroupsCropConsultantsAsA/Break crop Project

High/High

gross Margins / top 5 rotations compiled for each region with gross margins over 3 - 5 years

ASA GrowerGroupsCropConsultantsseed companies

High/High

tsV screening and rankings for all new hybrids


low/low

Powdery mildew controls and thresholds


Med/Med

sclerotinia screening dAff Qld GrowerGroupsCropConsultantsAsA/Break crop Project

Med/Med


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er in

dust

ry a

dvoc

acy

and

supp

ort

• co

ntinu

ed e

ngag

emen

t and

supp

ort f

or m

embe

rs

• An

nual

cro

p fo

reca

sts -

pro

ducti

on,

yiel

d an

d va

lue

• An

nual

Aus

tral

ian

mar

ketin

g gu

ide

for

grow

ers

•AS

GC•

Bette

r sun

flow

er w

orks

hop

atten

danc

e•

Bette

r sun

flow

er w

orks

hop

pres

ente

rs

• se

ason

al a

nd m

arke

t con

ditio

ns a

re

cond

uciv

e fo

r sun

flow

er p

rodu

ction

.

1.2

enga

gem

ent b

road

ened

alo

ng

the

valu

e ch

ain

• gr

eate

r inp

ut fr

om v

alue

cha

in m

embe

rs•

enga

gem

ent w

ith e

nd-u

sers

and

reta

ilers

• in

crea

sed

num

ber o

f ind

ustr

y m

embe

rs fr

om a

ll se

ctor

s re

ceiv

ing

sunfl

ower

com

mun

icati

ons

• As

A da

taba

se•

AsA

enew

slette

r•

seas

onal

and

mar

ket c

ondi

tions

are

co

nduc

ive

for s

unflo

wer

pro

ducti

on.

• n

umbe

r of p

artic

ipan

ts in

sunfl

ower

val

ue

chai

n do

es n

ot sh

rink

via

mer

gers

and

ac

quisi

tions

.

1.3

Impr

oved

link

ages

with

po

tenti

al in

vest

men

t par

tner

s•

num

ber o

f mee

tings

/com

mun

icati

ons w

ith in

vest

men

t pa

rtne

rs•

num

ber o

f pro

ject

s dev

elop

ed a

nd fu

nded

• n

umbe

r of p

roje

cts d

evel

oped

and

not

fund

ed

•AS

Am

inut

es•

Proj

ect r

epor

ts•

seas

onal

and

mar

ket c

ondi

tions

are

co

nduc

ive

for s

unflo

wer

pro

ducti

on.

1.4

Targ

eted

and

coo

rdin

ated

ca

mpa

ign

by a

ll in

dust

ry

supp

orte

rs

• As

A ac

tivity

cal

enda

r est

ablis

hed

and

com

mun

icat

ed•

Alig

nmen

t of c

omm

erci

al a

nd g

ovt p

artn

ers a

ctivi

ties w

ith

AsA

activ

ities

• su

nflow

er in

dust

ry c

alen

dar o

f eve

nts

• se

ason

al a

nd m

arke

t con

ditio

ns a

re

cond

uciv

e fo

r sun

flow

er p

rodu

ction

.


5.2

New

var

ietie

s acc

essi

ng in

tern

ation

al g

erm

plas

m

Desc

riptio

n:In

dica

tor

Sour

ces o

f ver

ifica

tion

Assu

mpti

ons

Ove

rall

obje

ctive

: Dev

elop

new

va

rietie

s sui

ted

to A

ustr

alia

ac

cess

ing

inte

rnati

onal

ger

mpl

asm

• n

ew, i

mpr

oved

sunfl

ower

var

ietie

s int

rodu

ced

into

the

Aust

ralia

n m

arke

t by

2018

• se

ed c

ompa

nies

• As

A cr

op fo

reca

sts

• Va

rieta

l tria

l dat

a

• se

ason

al c

ondi

tions

and

oil

pric

e fa

vour

sunfl

ower

pr

oduc

tion

• Ad

equa

te a

cces

s to

capa

city

thro

ugh

rese

arch

ers,

tria

l co-

oper

ator

s, p

hysic

al re

sour

ces a

nd e

xten

sion

Imm

edia

te o

bjec

tive:

Brin

g

Imid

azol

inon

e (s

pinn

aker

) tol

eran

t hy

brid

s to

com

mer

cial

isati

on

• im

i-tol

eran

t sun

flow

er v

arie

ties a

nd re

gist

ered

che

mist

ry

will

be

com

mer

cial

ly a

vaila

ble

in A

ustr

alia

for t

he 2

015

seas

on.

• se

ed c

ompa

ny b

roch

ure

listin

g im

i-sun

flow

ers

• As

A cr

op fo

reca

sts

• Q

uara

ntine

ent

ry a

cces

s rei

nsta

ted

• re

gula

tory

app

rova

l is g

rant

ed•

tria

l fai

lure

due

to c

limat

e/pe

st

Out

puts

: 1.

1 u

nnec

essa

ry b

arrie

rs a

nd c

osts

to

impo

rting

line

s rem

oved

•An

nual

impo

rto

flin

esin

toA

ustr

alia

• Pr

ivat

e qu

aran

tine

entr

y se

rvic

es re

-est

ablis

hed

in

Que

ensla

nd b

y 20

14•

expa

nd c

apac

ity o

f nsw

& V

icto

rian

quar

antin

e to

incl

ude

new

requ

ests

if re

quire

d

• se

ed c

ompa

ny•

Qua

ranti

ne se

rvic

e pr

ovid

er

• ge

rmpl

asm

mee

ts q

uara

ntine

requ

irem

ents

1.2

See

d co

mpa

nies

hav

e co

st-

effec

tive

and

timel

y ac

cess

to

requ

ired

germ

plas

m

• A

min

imum

of o

ne se

ed c

ompa

ny h

as a

cces

s in

Aust

ralia

to

imi-g

erm

plas

m b

y 20

14.

• se

ed c

ompa

ny(s

)•

Qua

ranti

ne e

ntry

acc

ess r

eins

tate

d in

Que

ensla

nd

1.3

Acce

ss to

che

mic

al m

aint

aine

d &

secu

red

• re

gist

er la

bel e

xten

sion

for a

pplic

ation

of i

mi-h

erbi

cide

s on

imi-t

oler

ant s

unflo

wer

by

2015

.•

secu

re lo

ng-te

rm a

cces

s to

new

and

exi

sting

inpu

ts

• AP

VMA

web

site

of

regi

stra

tions

• tr

ial w

ork

is su

cces

sful

– n

o en

viro

nmen

tal f

acto

rs a

ffect

tr

ials

• ca

n fin

d sit

es w

ith ta

rget

wee

ds fo

r effi

cacy

wor

k•

regi

stra

tion

is gr

ante

d

1.4

Aust

ralia

n m

anag

emen

t &

stew

ards

hip

cond

ition

s es

tabl

ishe

d

• 17

tria

ls un

dert

aken

on

17 lo

catio

ns b

y 20

15 to

supp

ort

regi

stra

tion

of a

ssoc

iate

d ch

emist

ry•

4 tr

ials

unde

rtak

en o

n 4

loca

tions

to m

easu

re y

ield

and

qu

ality

of i

mi-t

oler

ant s

unflo

wer

to a

gron

omic

man

agem

ent

• Be

st p

racti

ce g

uide

lines

dev

elop

ed to

pre

vent

resis

tanc

e

• AP

VMA

regi

stra

tion

of im

i-sun

flow

er u

se

patte

rn•

seed

com

pany

br

ochu

res/

prom

otion

al

mat

eria

l

• tr

ial w

ork

is su

cces

sful

– n

o en

viro

nmen

tal f

acto

rs a

ffect

tr

ials

• ca

n fin

d sit

es w

ith ta

rget

wee

ds fo

r effi

cacy

wor

k•

regi

stra

tion

is gr

ante

d

1.5

Indu

stry

aw

are

and

adop

ting

tech

nolo

gy•

50%

of f

arm

ers c

hoos

e to

gro

w so

me

imi-t

oler

ant s

unflo

wer

va

riety

by

2016

• Al

l gro

wer

s ado

pt b

est p

racti

ce g

uide

lines

• se

ed sa

les

• As

A cr

op fo

reca

sts

• se

ason

al c

ondi

tions

may

not

favo

ur su

nflow

er p

rodu

ction

• o

il pr

ice

may

not

favo

ur su

nflow

er p

rodu

ction

• th

e ab

ility

to a

cces

s ade

quat

e ca

paci

ty th

roug

h re

sear

cher

s,

tria

l coo

pera

tors

, phy

sical

reso

urce

s and

ext

ensio

n w

ill

impa

ct o

n ou

tcom

es


5.3 rem

oval of domestic m

arket barriers

Description:Indicator

Sources of verificationAssum

ptionsrem

ove domestic m

arket barriers• increased dom

estic supply and less reliance on imported

product.• A consistent supply of sunflow

ers • increased gross m

argin for growers

• consistent oil, moisture and adm

ixture quality of harvested product

• increased desirability of sunflower products for dom

estic m

arket

• less sunflower o

il imports verified by ABs

import statistics based on an annual basis.

• AsA crop forecast

• Adverse growing conditions such as drought

reducing crop in both planted area and yields.

Imm

ediate objective: remove

market barriers w

hich discourage production in Australia

• 10% increase in planted ha’s nationally by 2015

• 20% increase in planted ha’s in central Q

ueensland by 2016

• increase no. of sunflower oil processors in Australian

market from

to 2 to 3 by 2015

• less sunflower o

il imports verified by ABs

import statistics based on an annual basis.

• AsA crop forecast• 2014 – 2018 Australian sunflow

er M

arketing guide for growers


reducing crop in both planted area and yields.

• the ability to access adequate capacity through physical resources and extension w

ill impact on outcom

es.

Outputs:

1.1 regional grain testing capabilities available to grow

ers

• Mobile grain testing facilities set up in em

erald, central Q

ueensland by 2013• M

easured via confirmation by Aw

B.• Annual confirm

ation.• increased access to bulk storage reducing the

need for testing facilities.

1.2 Grow

ers can access to bulk storage

• 1 location secured in central Highlands by 2014• 1 additional location secured in southern Q

ueensland by 2015

• Measured via confirm

ation by AwB.

• Adequate access to bulk handling sites needed.

1.3 Improved aw

areness of and access to m

arket and pricing inform

ation for growers and

advisers

• sunflower M

arketing guide for growers com

piled, updated and distributed annually

• sunflower pricing inform

ation included in general com

modity pricing updates from

2013• in-depth international and dom

estic market inform

ation circulated to grow

ers and advisers from 2013

• indicative/comparative gross m

argins prepared for each region for early and late plant from

2013• M

arket information com

piled annually on composition of

domestic use (m

ono/poly/other)• educate 10 accum

ulation staff by 2015

• AwB w

eekly update. • w

eekly AsA sunflower w

ebsite post• AsA crop forecasts• 2014 – 2018 Australian sunflow

er M

arketing guide for growers



es.

1.4 Quality results com

municated

to all industry sectors• early and late season plant quality report prepared

annually• ABs supply inform

ation• Aw

B weekly update

• AsA sunflower w

ebsite post• AsA crop forecasts• Better sunflow

er enew

sletter



es.


5.4

Inve

stm

ent i

n rD

&e

Desc

riptio

n:In

dica

tor

Sour

ces o

f ver

ifica

tion

Assu

mpti

ons

Inve

stm

ent i

n rD

&e

• in

crea

sed

yiel

d an

d in

com

e fo

r sun

flow

er fo

r gr

ower

s•

cons

isten

t oil,

moi

stur

e an

d ad

mix

ture

qua

lity

of

harv

este

d pr

oduc

t

• Aw

B/ca

rgill

• As

A cr

op f

orec

asts

• AB

s da

ta

• do

mes

tic d

eman

d re

mai

ns a

t the

sam

e or

hig

her l

evel

s.•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed a

nd g

ross

mar

gins

.

expa

nd A

ustr

alia

’s su

nflow

er c

apac

ity

and

capa

bilit

y•

An in

crea

se in

sunfl

ower

are

a so

wn

acro

ss A

ustr

alia

of

5%

and

an

incr

ease

in y

ield

of 5

% b

y 20

18•

AsA

crop

for

ecas

ts•

ABs

data

• do

mes

tic d

eman

d re

mai

ns a

t the

sam

e or

hig

her l

evel

s.•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed a

nd g

ross

mar

gins

.•

the

seas

onal

opp

ortu

nity

to p

lant

will

impa

ct o

n he

ctar

es

sow

n.

resu

lts/o

utpu

ts/d

eliv

erab

les:

1.1

regi

onal

ly-b

ased

sunfl

ower

cap

acity

es

tabl

ishe

d to

del

iver

requ

ired

r,D

& e

• de

velo

pmen

t of a

sunfl

ower

cro

p sp

ecia

list w

ithin

ea

ch m

ajor

sunfl

ower

gro

win

g re

gion

with

the

capa

city

to d

eliv

er r

, d &

e to

gro

wer

s and

adv

isors

.

• Pr

ojec

t pro

gres

s rep

ortin

g•

Adeq

uate

reso

urci

ng to

est

ablis

h re

gion

al n

etw

ork

avai

labl

e.

1.2

Nut

rition

man

agem

ent g

uide

lines

es

tabl

ishe

d fo

r N, K

,P &

S•

deve

lopm

ent o

f nut

rient

resp

onse

gui

delin

es fo

r ni

trog

en, p

hosp

horu

s, p

otas

sium

and

sulp

hur b

y ye

ar•

incr

ease

d yi

eld

and

oil c

onte

nt a

s a re

sult

of

impl

emen

tatio

n of

impr

oved

nut

rient

man

agem

ent

prac

tices

.

• Pr

ojec

t pro

gres

s rep

ortin

g•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed.

• th

e se

ason

al o

ppor

tuni

ty to

pla

nt w

ill im

pact

on

hect

ares

so

wn.

• th

e ab

ility

to a

cces

s ade

quat

e ca

paci

ty th

roug

h re

sear

cher

s,

tria

l coo

pera

tors

, phy

sical

reso

urce

s and

ext

ensio

n w

ill

impa

ct o

n ou

tcom

es

1.3

Irrig

ation

man

agem

ent p

racti

ces

esta

blis

hed

• de

velo

pmen

t of i

rrig

ation

gui

delin

es v

ia tr

ial

wor

k fo

r sun

flow

er in

the

sout

hern

and

nor

ther

n irr

igati

on re

gion

s by

2016

• de

liver

y of

a B

MP

for i

rrig

ation

of s

unflo

wer

s in

the

sout

hern

and

nor

ther

n irr

igati

on re

gion

s

• Pr

ojec

t pro

gres

s rep

ortin

g•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed.

• th

e se

ason

al o

ppor

tuni

ty to

pla

nt w

ill im

pact

on

hect

ares

so

wn.

• th

e ab

ility

to a

cces

s ade

quat

e ca

paci

ty th

roug

h re

sear

cher

s,

tria

l coo

pera

tors

, phy

sical

reso

urce

s and

ext

ensio

n w

ill

impa

ct o

n ou

tcom

es

1.4

Info

rmati

on a

vaila

ble

on

econ

omic

ally

& su

stai

nabl

y vi

able

ro

tatio

ns

• de

liver

y of

3-5

yea

r rot

ation

al g

uide

lines

to

achi

eve

econ

omic

and

syst

em b

enefi

ts o

f inc

ludi

ng

sunfl

ower

.

• Pr

ojec

t pro

gres

s rep

ortin

g•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed.

• th

e se

ason

al o

ppor

tuni

ty to

pla

nt w

ill im

pact

on

hect

ares

so

wn.

• th

e ab

ility

to a

cces

s ade

quat

e ca

paci

ty th

roug

h re

sear

cher

s,

tria

l coo

pera

tors

, phy

sical

reso

urce

s and

ext

ensio

n w

ill

impa

ct o

n ou

tcom

es

1.5

Indu

stry

aw

are

and

adop

ting

man

agem

ent p

racti

ces

• in

crea

se th

e su

nflow

er g

row

er a

nd a

dviso

r dat

abas

e by

25%

in th

e ne

xt 5

yea

rs to

incr

ease

acc

ess t

o su

nflow

er in

form

ation

. •

incr

ease

gro

wer

and

adv

isor a

war

enes

s by

10%

of

curr

ent s

unflo

wer

r,d

&e.

• As

A Be

tter s

unflo

wer

da

taba

se•

Pric

ing

will

impa

ct o

n ar

ea p

lant

ed.

• th

e se

ason

al o

ppor

tuni

ty to

pla

nt w

ill im

pact

on

hect

ares

so

wn.


5.5 M

anage and reduce disease and pest risksDescription:

IndicatorSources of verification

Assumptions

Manage and reduce disease

risks• increased yield and incom

e for sunflower for grow

ers• consistent quality of planting seed• consistent oil, m

oisture and admixture quality of harvested product

• AwB w

eekly update • seed com

panies• AsA crop forecasts• ABs data

•domestic dem

and remains at the sam

e or higher levels.

• Pricing will im

pact on area planted and gross m

argins.

Increase grower capacity to

manage and reduce disease

risks

• An increase in sunflower area sow

n across Australia of 5% and an

increase in yield of 5% by 2018

• decrease in disease incidents preventable by crop rotation &

managem

ent within the next 5 years

• decrease in priority of disease as an agronomic issue for grow

ers and consultants

• AsA crop forecasts • dAff Q

ld disease rapid Assessments

• AsA comm

ittee reports: bi-monthly AsA

teleconferences• industry survey (2018 strategic Plan)

•Pricing will im

pact on area planted.• the seasonal opportunity to plant w

ill impact

on hectares sown.

• sub-optimal clim

actic conditions can be conducive to m

ore severe and larger frequency of disease outbreaks.

results/outputs/ deliverables:1.1 Im

proved ability for grow

ers and advisors to identify new

and current pathogens

• development of a m

olecular test for growers and advisors to identify

Phomopsis survival on stubble

• 400 growers, advisors and seed com

panies have easy/ready access to disease im

ages and information

• 400 growers, advisors and seed com

panies are aware of access and

protocols for laboratory analysis

• grdc Progress reports for northern

integrated disease Managem

ent Project•Sub-optim

al climactic conditions m

ay impede

or prevent trial plantings and results.• the ability to access adequate capacity

through researchers, trial cooperators, physical resources and extension w

ill impact

on outcomes.

• A suitable cooperator and trial site will enable

effective disease resistance screening

1.2 Managem

ent practices to avoid pathogens strengthened

• Break crop strategies established for growers and advisors suitable for

each growing region

• Measured benefit of strategic stubble burial as a tactic to m

inimize and

avoid Phomopsis

• grdc Progress reports for Australian Break crop initiative grdc Progress

• reports for northern integrated disease

Managem

ent Project

•the ability to access adequate capacity through physical resources and extension w

ill im

pact on outcomes.

1.3 Improved ability for

growers, advisors &

seed com

panies to manage

existing pathogens

• Prediction of Phomopsis disease levels in stubble using m

olecular (PredictaB) techniques

• understanding the roles of alternative hosts (crops and w

eeds) and stubble of crops and w

eed residues in aiding the survival and spread of Phom

opsis species by 2014• Q

uantify yield loss from Phom

opsis infestation • tsV tolerance ratings established for all existing and developing lines

annually• econom

ic threshold and fungicide residue data developed for Powdery

Mildew

control by 2015• M

aintain and secure access to chemical controls (tilt™

permit

converted to a minor use crop registration).



ent Project• the ability to access adequate capacity

through physical resources and extension will

impact on outcom

es.

1.4 Increased adoption and aw

areness throughout industry

• no. affected fields observed

• no. advisers and grow

ers trained to administer m

olecular test• n

o. workshops/field days delivered

• no. decision support tools developed: sm

artphone id app & disease m

ap (annual gPs m

apping of affected fields)• n

o. of growers, advisors, seed com

panies using dst



ent Project• grdc Progress reports for Australian

Break crop initiative grdc Progress


reducing crop in both planted area and yields.• the ability to access adequate capacity

through physical resources and extension will

impact on outcom

es.

1.5 Managem

ent practices for key pests strengthened

• confidence in use of economic thresholds and recom

mended options

• increased grower and advisor capacity in crop insect m

anagement

• grdc reports for northern iPM

projects• grdc grow

er surveys (confidence in iPM)

• Maintenance of r, d and e capacity in applied

entomology.

• Participation of agrichem com

panies in registration of control options.


5.6

ASA

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eld

each

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1.3

Impr

oved

abi

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to fu

nd

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ower

acti

vitie

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subm

its te

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rele

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AsA

is e

ligib

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app

ly.


APPeNDIx 1: Full DeSCrIPTIONS OF PrIOrITIeS

Bring new varieties to Australia from overseas: the industry aims to leverage breeding work being done overseas on new traits and disease resistant lines from overseas, with an immediate focus on bringing the imidazolinone (spinnaker) tolerant hybrids to commercialisation. this includes AsA assistance to lobbying government to remove unnecessary barriers and costs to importing lines. nationally, in northern nsw and southern Queensland, this was ranked as the highest industry priority.

Increasing or establishing bulk storage capacity in Central and Southern Qld: it is recognised that only the larger farmers, and remaining sunflower farmers, have the on-farm storage to hold sunflower for long periods of time; this was identified as significant impediment to many growers who can access bulk storage for all other crops. this was ranked as the highest industry priority for central Queensland, and second highest for southern Queensland.

expanding regional grain testing facilities to avoid penalties: the lack of localised grain testing facilities in central and southern Queensland correspondingly recognised as a significant barrier to growers who pay large freight costs and potentially have loads rejected at the depot more than 1000km away. growers are then forced to find alternate markets, or receive penalties. this was ranked as the second highest industry priority for central Queensland, and very highly by southern Queensland growers.

Market intelligence: this reflects a lack of information throughout the value chain. while the industry has figures on total amounts of imported sunflower oil for domestic use annually, it is not provided with a break down so cannot accurately predict demand across poly and mono oil production. growers receive fragmented advice from varying companies which is not always timed to reflect when planting decisions are made and consistently does not include all varieties. they also reported that they do not receive timely or accurate signals from end-users on market requirements.

Maintaining & improvement of capacity for trials, research & extension: currently nsw dPi is the only agency in Australia with any sunflower agronomic trial capacity (this includes not only people but physical resources such as a precision planter on a guidance system). trial capacity needs to be expanded by investment and greater links with other agencies and groups. with only one government agronomist loretta serafin, currently engaged in sunflower work, there is also a significant need to continue to expand this to include private researchers such as from the seed companies, and private groups.

Nutrition trial work on NKPS: dPi nsw have a basic set of n trials which they are finalising to demonstrate the effect of n on yield and oil content. these results should be adaptable across regions. three trials have been conducted on s & K, including one trial just harvested east of Moree in 2013. More trials are needed to conclude this work, which also could be spread across regions. there has not really been any work on phosphorus. this needs to be looked at particularly in regards to starter fertiliser products.

Southern Irrigation requirements: it was clearly and overwhelmingly reported back through group discussion, formal workshop evaluation and direct email in 2012, that southern irrigated growers of nsw and Victoria are challenged not only by a lack of local extension capacity, but more importantly the lack of research and trial work to provide growers with confidence in planting sunflower. specific information requested to achieve the best gross margins included: • irrigation application and timing • sowing time • Plant population • row configurationA number of growers have already volunteered to be trial co-operators. the AsA has sought initial interest from potential trial partners. this was ranked as the highest industry priority by southern nsw growers.


Phomopsis Management strategies: the industry seeks to continue the work undertaken by dAff Queensland Pathology. this includes trials on tolerance /resistance levels in Australian hybrids, establishing yield loss, and seed infection from Phomopsis. further work is required on the survival of the pathogen on stubble including assessment methods and strategic burial; and the development of a molecular test for stubble. training to use the test would ensure widespread adoption and awareness throughout the industry. Phomopsis work was ranked as the second highest industry priority for northern nsw growers.

Gross Margins / Top 5 rotations compiled for each region with gross margins over 3 - 5 years:this is a significant and complex farming systems project requiring cross agency, group and project cooperation to address most significant issues for the industry. for each growing region, it is suggested that up to five top rotations would be examined, including sunflower, over three to five years, accompanied by full gross margins. these would demonstrate to growers the opportunity for proactive weed and disease management strategies, and the importance of correct targeting of fertiliser applications to yield. the activities would be shared as detailed case studies, accompanied by field walks, and undertaken in conjunction with regional providers eg ngA, AMPs, dPi cQ etc. in addition, nsw dPi have for many years undertaken detailed gross margins for all summer crops as well as making available an interactive sheet on their website. nothing similar exists for Queensland farmers. it is suggested that this service/product be provided be extended to all sunflower growing regions with appropriate figures and assumptions.

TSv screening and rankings for all new hybrids: tsV decimated production in central Queensland in 2004, halving national production, and only recently has grower confidence lifted to plant again. this is due to the work done to establish tsV tolerance ratings on available sunflower varieties. current virology work is not funded to undertake any ratings on new varieties including imidazolinone -tolerant lines.

Powdery mildew: the industry seeks to build upon the work undertaken by dAff Queensland Pathology. the current emergency use permit for tilt expires in April 2014. residue trials are required to convert the permit to a minor use crop registration. it is also suggested that yield trials under high pressure be continued to identify economic control thresholds.

Sclerotinia: Again, the industry seeks to support dAff Queensland Pathology to undertake varietal screening between different hybrids and development lines.



Documents

Australian Sunflower Industry Strategic Plan 2013 - … sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 1.4 executive Summary Sunflower is a profitable crop and has significant agronomic