About

Australian Sunflower Association

Formed in 1976, the objectives of the Australian Sunflower Association are to:

  • Promote 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 is open to individuals and organisations involved in any facet of the sunflower value chain, including growers, researchers, food and feed processors, the seed industry, merchandising organisations and 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 sunflower’s contribution to more profitable farming systems.

The ASA operates as a formal sub-committee of Australian Oilseeds Federation Inc.

Key activities and publications undertaken and supported by the ASA include:

ASA committee members

To contact the Australian Sunflower Association, Cindy Benjamin, email coordinator@bettersunflowers.com.au.

Dennis Ward, Acting Chairman and Director, Avigrain, Chittaway

Chris Haire, Vice-chairman and Program manager, Summer Crops, Barenbrug, Toowoomba

Loretta Serafin, Vice-chairman, Leader Northern Dryland Cropping Systems, NSW DPI, Tamworth

Kevin Charlesworth, Past-chairman, Former grower, Highfields

Mark Schmidt, ASGC representative and Director, Deacon Seeds, Dalby

Nick Goddard, Executive Director, Australian Oilseeds Federation, Sydney

Tony Lockrey, Consulting agronomist, AMPS Moree

Paul McIntosh, WeedSmart Extension Agronomist, Toowoomba

Sue Thompson, Research Fellow (Plant Pathology), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba (retired)

Scott Whiteman, CEO, Riverina Oils and Bio Energy, Balwyn

Meg Kummerow, Director, Fly the Farm, Norwin

Rebecca Raymond, Broadacre Product Manager, S&W Seeds, Toowoomba

Grower representatives: Roland Hornick (CQ), Xavier Martin (Nthn NSW), David Peters (Sthn Qld)

Australian Sunflower Industry Strategic Plan

Australian Sunflower Association seeks to identify and encourage markets for Australian sunflower seed and grow the industry from its current area of production and yield to meet these markets.

The ASA will lead industry development and growth by working to:

  • Leverage breeding work being done overseas on new traits and disease resistant lines, specifically to support the commercialisation of imi-tolerant hybrids

  • Remove market and related infrastructure barriers that 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

  • Strengthening partnerships across the value chain to ensure a targeted and coordinated campaign by all industry supporters

  • Ensure the ASA is an efficient and effective organisation

Sunflower industry facts and figures

Sunflower markets