SUNFLOWERS - OILSEED

Dryland farmers of the summer rainfall belt, crop significant quantities of sunflowers for the edible oil seed industry. Quick growing varieties have been developed and can survive a large variety of soil types. Farmers with lighter sandy soils have a better chance of success with sunflowers than with grain sorghum if they require a summer cash crop. The major pests are Galahs and cockatoos. The yield is only about half that expected from grain sorghum, however, as the market potential is good they are a good proposition in the summer rainfall belt.