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
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 20184
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 5
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 7
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
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 20188
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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 13
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201814
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
dAff Qld seed companiesGrowerGroupsCropConsultantsAsA/Break crop Project
low/low
Powdery mildew controls and thresholds
dAff Qld seed companiesGrowerGroupsCropConsultantsAsA/Break crop Project
Med/Med
sclerotinia screening dAff Qld GrowerGroupsCropConsultantsAsA/Break crop Project
Med/Med
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 17
5.
ACT
ION
S TO
AD
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SS P
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ips
Desc
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• in
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num
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nd p
roje
cts
• se
ason
al a
nd m
arke
t con
ditio
ns a
re
cond
uciv
e fo
r sun
flow
er p
rodu
ction
.
Out
puts
:1.
1: S
tron
g w
orki
ng re
latio
nshi
ps
with
mem
bers
• co
ntinu
ed c
ontr
ibuti
on o
f sen
sitive
or c
omm
erci
al in
co
nfide
nce
info
rmati
on fo
r sun
flow
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
.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201818
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
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 19
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
• Adverse growing conditions such as drought
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
• the ability to access adequate capacity through physical resources and extension w
ill impact on outcom
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
• the ability to access adequate capacity through physical resources and extension w
ill impact on outcom
es.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201820
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 21
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).
• grdc Progress reports for northern
integrated disease Managem
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
• grdc Progress reports for northern
integrated disease Managem
ent Project• grdc Progress reports for Australian
Break crop initiative grdc Progress
• Adverse growing conditions such as drought
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201822
5.6
ASA
is a
hea
lthy
orga
nisa
tion
Desc
riptio
n:In
dica
tor
Sour
ces o
f ver
ifica
tion
Assu
mpti
ons
Imm
edia
te O
bjec
tive:
run
ASA
eff
ectiv
ely
• o
ne fa
ce-to
-face
mee
ting
& 5
tele
conf
eren
ces h
eld
each
yea
r.•
All
finan
cial
and
org
anisa
tiona
l rec
ordi
ng a
nd re
porti
ng m
aint
aine
d an
d su
bmitt
ed a
s req
uire
d by
legi
slatio
n an
d m
embe
rs.
• As
A pr
ovid
es d
irecti
on o
n oi
lseed
pol
icy
thro
ugh
chai
r’s a
ttend
ance
&
repr
esen
tatio
n at
Ao
f co
mm
ittee
mee
tings
.•
AsA
data
base
mai
ntai
ned
and
upda
ted.
•AS
Are
port
s•
AOF
min
utes
• As
A da
taba
se
• As
A ha
s fina
ncia
l abi
lity
or su
ppor
t to
fund
ch
air t
rave
l and
acc
omm
odati
on•
AsA
reta
ins a
cces
s and
dev
elop
men
t of B
etter
su
nflow
er w
ebsit
e an
d da
taba
se
Out
puts
:1.
1 Att
ract
and
reta
in c
omm
ittee
m
embe
rs
• co
mm
ittee
mem
bers
hip
incl
udes
repr
esen
tatio
n fr
om a
ll ke
y re
gion
s an
d se
ctor
s of t
he V
alue
cha
in.
• co
mm
ittee
mem
bers
atte
nd 7
5% o
f mee
tings
and
tele
conf
eren
ces.
• su
nflow
er p
ositi
ons o
n th
e Au
stra
lian
sum
mer
gra
ins c
onfe
renc
e ar
e fil
led.
•AS
Am
inut
es•
ASGC
min
utes
• in
dust
ry si
ze a
nd g
eogr
aphi
c lo
catio
n w
ill
dict
ate
num
ber a
nd re
pres
enta
tion
on
com
mitt
ee•
Asgc
is ru
n tr
i-ann
ually
• su
nflow
er re
mai
ns a
mem
ber o
f Asg
c jo
int
vent
ure
1.2
ASA
is in
a so
und
finan
cial
po
sitio
n•
AsA
inco
me
cove
rs a
ll ex
pend
iture
.•
AsA
equi
ty m
aint
aine
d an
d in
crea
sed.
• As
A/Ao
f fin
anci
al st
atem
ents
• As
A/Ao
f ba
nk st
atem
ents
• n
o un
fore
seen
liab
ilitie
s
1.3
Impr
oved
abi
lity
to fu
nd
sunfl
ower
acti
vitie
s•
AsA
subm
its te
nder
s for
rele
vant
ext
erna
l fun
ding
con
trac
ts•
AsA
cons
ider
s mea
ns to
gen
erat
e su
stai
nabl
e su
bscr
iptio
n-ba
sed
inco
me
tend
ers s
ubm
itted
• fu
ndin
g bo
dies
pro
vide
opp
ortu
nitie
s to
tend
er w
hich
AsA
is e
ligib
le to
app
ly.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 23
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201824
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.
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 2018 25
AustrAliAn sunflower industry strAtegic PlAn 2013 - 201826