Sunflower tourism season in full bloom

There is little more stunning a sight in nature than a field of sunflowers in full bloom. But large numbers of tourists walking into sunflower paddocks for photographs also pose a biosecurity risk.

Their unwitting actions can carry pests, diseases and weeds between sunflower crops, while sunflower trampling, taking sunflower heads, and being in paddocks unannounced can pose economic loss and hazards for sunflower producers.

It is all about respect for growers and farms. Some sunflower growers embrace the opportunity to interact with tourists, while others would prefer to be left alone.
 
Several organisations, including AgForce, have come together to develop biosecurity awareness material and travel tips for tourists, information centres, tourism organisers, social media, and for growers themselves.
 
This joint initiative recognises the importance of sunflower tourism in the Darling and Southern Downs regions and will work with the thousands of annual sunflower visitors to ensure their safe, enjoyable experience while reducing the impact to growers.
 
For more information or to be involved, contact AgForce SEQ Regional Manager Andrew Sinnamon 0427 144 298 or Meg Kummerow from the Australian Sunflower Association 0427 606 983.