How does a small team of highly-skilled technical specialists deliver up-to-date information and training tailored for the different needs of a grower base stretching some 2400 km from Kilcummin, Central Queensland to Warrnambool in Victoria? This was the challenge welcomed by the Australian Sunflower Association (ASA) who now provide this service online, in an innovative, cost and time efficient way.
Since 2010, the ASA and Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) with support from GRDC, have run seven Better Sunflower workshops from Moama in southern NSW to Emerald in central Queensland. 186 people attended, with over 60 % of those undertaking formal accreditation against nationally-recognised competencies as Better Sunflower advisers.
Major achievements of this workshop series included: publishing an up-to-date compilation of all sunflower information, The Big Yellow Sunflower Pack; support for current researchers and re-engagement of those who had been active in the industry; and collecting direct input from industry to prioritise and close information gaps. Importantly, growers said that the workshops and resources would improve the productivity and profitability of their businesses.
However, the cost of travel, time commitments for presenters and attendees, and the limited capacity of industry to provide ongoing support, remained challenges for the delivery of workshops, and strategies were needed to address “information overload” from the one-day format.
In 2012, the ASA and AOF commissioned the Better Sunflowers website. Access is via the AOF site or www.bettersunflowers.com.au. It provides an opportunity for growers and advisers to undertake nationally-accredited training online, and for all industry members to access regionally specific published Australian and international material, plus constantly updated agronomy support resources.
Sunflower is re-emerging as an important national crop. The Better Sunflower website is an exciting new tool which supports industry members to profit while meeting the growing demand for our high quality product.