THE AUSTRALIAN Sunflower Association (ASA) says there has been a massive shift in the composition of the Australian sunflower crop in recent years.
Primarily grown for oil in the past, depressed oil prices have meant growers have switched to alternate markets for their sunflowers.
Historically, Australia has produced up to 80,000 tonnes annually of sunflowers, although this figure can fall to just above 20,000 tonnes if the season is not favourable or other summer crops are preferred.
However, the emergence of new niche markets for the crop means the industry has managed to cope with the news one of the sector’s largest buyers, AWB, would not be offering seed rebates or hectare based contracts this season.
Instead, markets such as the thoroughbred feed industry, bird seed and confectionary have combined to take up the slack and allow growers to keep planting sunflowers.
Production of confectionary and birdseed type sunflower has risen from around 5 per cent of total Australia production in 2015 to 26pc in 2015.
Another significant effect of the readjustment of the market is the potential for feed mills supplying the horse feed trade to face a shortage of black sunflower seeds.
One feed miller on the Darling Downs has expressed concern that their supply of black sunflower has ended and they will be relying on new season production to meet their requirements for the specialised rations for the equine industry.
Central Queensland grower Roland Hornick is a firm believer in the agronomic benefits of including sunflower in his crop rotation to spread the financial risk and the labour pressures at planting and harvest.
Although the outlook was promising for spring planted sunflowers in Central Queensland Mr Hornick says the dry finish and heavy insect pressure has affected all spring crops in the region, including his 200 ha of sunflowers.
He said the change in buying patterns had meant a change in product preference, saying there was a big difference in quality requirements between the oil production sector and the feedstock industry.
Birdseed, horse feed and human consumption kernel markets all require large, ‘heavy’ seeds and buyers pay no premium for oil content. There is also a major emphasis on undamaged seed, particularly for the dehulling processors where any damaged seeds are rejected.
Australian Sunflower Association chairman, Kevin Charlesworth strongly recommends that growers contact a few potential buyers and make arrangements with them prior to planting their crop.
At around $800 per tonne and with good stored soil moisture in many regions, he said sunflowers are a strong contender for summer crop area.
His research showed that cumulative gross margins across several years show sunflower achieving good results as a rotational and cash crop.