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:
The Better Sunflowers website for all agronomy and marketing resources and information
Big Yellow Sunflower Pack resource folder
Strategic planning for industry development in Australia
Annually updated Sunflower Marketing Guide for Growers
Training events for sunflower growers, advisers and industry members
Social media communication via the ASA Facebook page.
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